Nearly six years ago, the Seventeenth Circuit began a pilot Therapy Dog program. Coral and her handler Judy were the first team in the program, and they are still going strong today. In recognition of all the good Coral does in the community, she was recently honored with the Florida Veterinary Medical Association’s Pet Hero of the Year Award for 2019!

At the central courthouse, Coral and Judy visit the Juvenile Dependency court every week, radiating kindness, patience and love to children who have suffered trauma in their lives. Coral is the calming influence so many of the children in court need and we in the Seventeenth Circuit are happy to celebrate this wonderful, well-deserved honor for her.

Judge Kaplan, Judge Gundersen and several members of the administrative staff of the 17th Judicial Circuit attended the 2019 Biennial Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence Conference which included presentations by Chief Judge Jack Tuter and Judge Singhal on the topic of Risk Protection Orders.

The Seventeenth Circuit is celebrating the one year anniversary of our Expanded Self Help Center.  What was once merely a dream has become a highly successful tool in facilitating people’s access to services that they need, all under one roof, located in the West Tower of the Broward County Courthouse  The Self Help Center is comprised of Women in Distress, Coast to Coast Legal Aid, Henderson Behavioral Health, 211 Broward and South Florida Wellness Network.  Since the opening of the Self Help Center, Women in Distress has assisted an average of 71 persons each month; 211 Broward has assisted an average of 38 persons per month; South Florida Wellness Network has averaged 18 people per month; Henderson Mental Health has averaged 57 people per month; and Coast to Coast Legal Aid has assisted an average of 322 persons per month.  These numbers show that having the different agencies all under one roof has enabled countless people to navigate their way to the services that they need.  We are so proud of the Self Help Center and the wonderful work that has been done and look toward reaching out to even more people in the future.

Barry University Social Work students visited the Central Courthouse last week and met with Judges Porth, Levenson, Bristol, and Izquierdo and Magistrate Laventure. Thanks to the Judges and to Judge Towbin Singer and Professor Jill Levenson for planning and facilitating the instructional visit.

For more information and to register to attend, Click Here.