- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Civics Education
- Collaborative Justice Courts
- Community Outreach
- Court Innovations—Kleps Awards
- Court Interpreters Program (CIP)
- Criminal Justice Programs
- Domestic Violence
- Equal Access
- Facilities
- For Families and Children
- Judicial Administration Fellowships
- JusticeCorps
- Tribal Projects
Crossover Projects
Staff of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), Center for Families, Children & the Courts (CFCC) work on a number of initiatives that relate to both delinquency and dependency proceedings, called Crossover Projects. Many of the special projects are aimed at improving the juvenile court system.
Assembly Bill 12 (Beall; Stats. 2010, ch. 559), the California Fostering Connections to Success Act, as amended by Assembly Bill 212 (Beall; Stats. 2011, ch. 459) makes it possible to access federal funding for foster care services for dependents and wards beyond their 18th birthday, which will provide them with the time and support needed to gradually become fully independent adults.
Recent AOC studies, including Trust and Confidence in the California Courts, Phase I and II and the Juvenile Delinquency Court Assessment, found that too often parties find it difficult to attend their court hearings. Moreover, when they do attend, they frequently have trouble understanding the court process and what is being said in court. The Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care has echoed this concern and has stated that best practices dictate that the courts should be sensitive to the needs of users when scheduling hearings, and that those hearings should be conducted in a way that maximizes meaningful participation by parties.
The AOC CFCC has undertaken a number of initiatives to assist courts in implementing access and comprehension improvement, including working directly with users and other stakeholders to identify necessary court reforms and developing educational materials for court users.
Because victims of juvenile crime often have unique needs related to monetary losses, materials that address victim restitution are also being created to accompany the pamphlet titled Information for Victims: Your Rights and Role in the Juvenile Court Process.
We welcome suggestions for other useful materials. Contact Audrey Fancy with questions or suggestions.
The resources in this section include publications and fact sheets produced by staff of the AOC CFCC through various research projects, publications from partnering agencies, and links to other useful information relating to these projects.
Assembly Bill 129, sponsored by the Judicial Council and passed by the Legislature in 2004, is intended to improve the handling of cases in which delinquency and dependency intersect and to help increase access to appropriate resources and services for children in a holistic and timely manner.
Below are resources for the juvenile courts, child welfare departments, and probation departments regarding compliance with Title IV-E of the Social Security Act and other provisions of state and federal law related to the foster care placement of dependents and wards.
Delinquency Foster Care (Assembly Bills 575 and 1696)—Requirements for Probation Departments
Delinquency Proceedings: Legal Citations and Recommended Title IV-E Findings
Dependency Proceedings: Legal Citations and Recommended Title IV-E Findings
Out-of-State Group Home Placement for Dependents and Wards
Written Report Requirements for Delinquency Foster Care Cases