Family Courts

The NDCRC gave an introductory presentation at the invitation of NADCP for their BJA New Grantee Orientation webinar on March 10, 2022. Co-directors Dr. Kristen DeVall and Dr. Christina Lanier reviewed NDCRC resources including operational documents, evaluation recommendations, the interactive map of treatment courts, webinars, research, Drug Court Review journal, the NDCRC newsletter, and original Justice to Healing podcast.

NDCRC staff fielded inquiries related to research and practice in the field as well as NDCRC updates. These questions were received primarily via the NDCRC email, individual staff emails, and the contact page of the NDCRC website. Between January 1 and June 30, 2022, staff addressed via email approximately 2,000 questions about the NDCRC, treatment courts, or other resources.

The NDCRC Advisory Board met once during spring 2022 on January 31.

NDCRC will host a webinar with BJA Policy Advisors Gregory Torain, Dr. Courtney Stewart, and Nicko Taylor to provide detailed information on the BJA FY 22 Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program The session will incorporate an interactive question and answer session; it will also be recorded and available for viewing after initial broadcasting.

The Policy Project team meets monthly, to work on the planning and development of the Collateral Consequences Policy Publication. NAICJA staff meets with Consultant Amanda Whiteeagle monthly to coordinate on the project. The project will develop publication on the collateral consequences of the new tribal authorities VAWA and TLOA on justice-involved people in tribal courts.

Transgender adults have a prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) almost four times that of cisgender adults. They face challenges that include dealing with extremely high rates of childhood trauma, high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) scores, widespread discrimination, violence, practitioner lack of cultural competency, stigma due to their gender identity and expression, and multiple minority stressors.

Treatment courts will learn to understand the specific needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) participants to remove access barriers and individualize treatment plans. This module will address cultural competency by developing health literacy skills in speaking about sexual orientation and issues of cultural humility such as identifying and stopping microaggressions and collecting accurate data.

On 11/10/2021 NJC provided office-based TA to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Court by participating virtually in a zoom meeting with tribal official regarding further discussion about an Alternate District Court Judge position description.

On 10/06/2021 NJC provided office-based TA to the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Court by participating virtually in a zoom meeting with tribal official regarding an Alternate District Court Judge position description.

From 09/01/2021 through 09/29/2021 NJC provided written resources via email to the Ely Shoshone Tribal Court. Resources included forms, grandparents rights information, procedural manuals and information regarding the TAP program.