After connecting with Chia through her involvement in the Arizona State Court Forum, Amy Hernandez, the Domestic Violence Program Coordinator
and Justice Court Program Coordinator for the Administrative Office of the Utah State Courts, sent TLPI a request for technical assistance in order to learn more about tribal state court forums. They were planning to hire a dedicated tribal liaison staff member that will oversee their rebuilding of the Utah Tribal State Court Forum. They met with TLPI for assistance in rebuilding and planning the Utah Tribal State Court Forum. An initial planning call was held via Zoom on August 24, 2021 Heather Valdez Freedman (TLPI), Catherine Retana (TLPI), Judge Bill Thorne (TLPI Consultant), Amy Hernandez (Domestic Violence Program Coordinator and Justice Courts Program Coordinator, Utah State Courts) , and Bridget Koza, J.D. (Court Improvement Program Director, Utah State Courts). During the call, we discussed some background on the Utah Tribal State Court Forum, their Vision and Goals, where the current planning team was in the planning stages, and we discussed and disbursed TLPI resources and additional services. Amy and Bridgette expressed that their vision would be to create a forum that could possibly address both ICWA and DV issues.
On December 9, 2021, Catherine provided Amy and Bridgette with a letter of commitment from TLP to provide TA, contingent on BJA funding. On December 27, 2021, Amy emailed Catherine that they have not been able to hire a Tribal Coordinator yet and are still in the hiring process but said she would like to reach out to Catherine in February 2022 once their Tribal Coordinator has been hired.
On February 04, 2022 Catherine received an email from Lucy Beecroft, the new Tribal Outreach Program Coordinator for the Utah State Courts. Lucy had a call with Catherine and Judge Thorne to discuss the initial planning call with Amy and Bridgette. Lucy expressed that she has spoken to 2 tribes who are willing to further discuss the Tribal State Court Forum. Judge Thorne recommended having a gathering sponsored by the state that a leader in the state judiciary facilitating the conversation. Judge Thorne provided feedback on a possible location and on outreach.
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