All Posts in "Announcements"

Child Advocates Attend Summit Aimed to Inspire

A contingent of dedicated child advocates from Unified Family Courts recently traveled to Orlando where they spent three days at the 2024 Florida Children and Families Summit learning about innovative ways to help kids succeed. Among those in attendance from the 17th Judicial Circuit of Florida were Delinquency Case Manager Supervisor Janelle May, Juvenile and Dependency Drug Court Coordinator Beth Plotkin, Alternative Sanctions Coordinator Laurette Elme and Delinquency Case Manager Tinamarie Medina. Also in attendance were Judges Hope Tieman Bristol, Stacey Schulman, Alberto Ribas and Jose Izquierdo (not pictured). The event offered a variety of opportunities to make connections, share skills and learn. Your dedication is what makes our team strong!

by — September 13, 2024 in Announcements
Judge Florence Taylor Barner Named Judicial Liaison to Black Women Lawyer’s Association

Judge Florence Taylor Barner has been named judicial liaison to the newly formed Bernice Gaines Dorn Black Women Lawyers Association, which recently held an information session in the law library at the NSU Shepard Broad College of Law. Bernice Gaines Dorn was the first black woman to be admitted to the Florida Bar. The group’s judicial council – the Mary Rudd Robinson Judicial Council – is named after Judge Mary Rudd Robinson, the first black female judge to serve on the bench in Broward County. The pioneering Robinson retired in 2016 after 27 years of service.

by — September 12, 2024 in Announcements
Conference Celebrates 17th Judicial Circuit’s Early Childhood Court Team

Two judges and two staffers from the 17th Judicial Circuit’s Early Childhood Court (ECC) team represented our court at the National Cross Sites Conference last month in Dallas, Texas. Those in attendance included Judge Jose Izquierdo, Judge Hope Tieman Bristol, ECC Program Coordinator Trent Baker and Indian Child Welfare Act Court Coordinator Ta’Ami Bajamour. The annual conference for child welfare professionals, judges, court personnel, service providers and community coordinators emphasizes mental health, the importance of relationships, trauma, science, equity and compassion. The great work of infant-toddler court sites from states across the country was celebrated at the event. Congratulations to our 17th Judicial Circuit team members whose efforts change lives every day.

by — September 11, 2024 in Announcements
“Safe Space” in Mediation & Arbitration Offers Soothing Escape

Pastel fairy lights twinkle in Administrative Assistant Samantha Scott’s office, bathing the walls in a soft pink glow. In one corner, a captioned drawing proclaims, “Above All Be Kind.” Adjacent is another that reads, “One kind word can change someone’s entire day.” Welcome to the safe space Samantha has created in Mediation & Arbitration, a calming refuge where she and her colleagues can de-stress with candy, coffee or conversation after a difficult case. Kudos to Samantha for her proactive approach to mental health. She exemplifies the saying “sharing IS caring.”

by — September 10, 2024 in Announcements
Visitors from Goodman JFS Pepper Judges with Thoughtful Questions During Lively Q&A

The contingent of 17 visitors from Joshua’s Path Disability Services of Goodman JFS had plenty of tough questions for Judges Ari Abraham Porth and Stacy Ross at the conclusion of a recent courthouse tour. Here is a sampling of what the group asked: Has anyone ever tried escaping from a courtroom? Has anyone ever used spoons to escape from jail? Define “Baker Act,” what is the age range of the inmates in the county jail, how do probation officers know if someone tries to remove an ankle monitor and is there a secret code word for an unauthorized weapon inside the courthouse.  Both judges responded with candor and humor. The visit kept everyone on their toes. Most importantly, a good time was had by all.

by — September 9, 2024 in Announcements
Community Court Fosters Goodwill and Compassion for City’s Homeless

Scores of homeless people pack Fort Lauderdale’s Community Court  every Wednesday to access services, grab a meal and sometimes even take a shower. Amid the chaos, Judge Florence Taylor Barner hears cases, addressing low-level misdemeanor crimes and municipal ordinance violations from her seat behind a folding table turned bench. Her solutions are innovative – community service hours, mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment in lieu of incarceration. However, criminal charges aren’t necessary to access the social services on hand. Helping to identify the root causes of homelessness to facilitate better outcomes is what the initiative is all about. Community Courts also operate in Hollywood and Pompano Beach.

by — September 6, 2024 in Announcements
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