CASS COUNTY COURTS

2018/2019

BIENNIAL REPORT

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM CHIEF JUDGE SUSAN L. DOBRICH 5

JUDGES SERVING THE CASS COUNTY COURTS 6

COURT TEAM MEMBERS 7

HISTORICAL ROSTER OF CASS COUNTY JUDGES 8

MICHIGAN’S CHIEF JUDGE RULE 9

CIRCUIT COURT AUTHORITY 10

PROBATE COURT AUTHORITY 11

CIRCUIT & PROBATE JUDGE CASE ASSIGNMENT 12

DISTRICT COURT AUTHORITY 13

CIRCUIT COURT FILINGS 14

FAMILY DIVISION COURT FILINGS 15

PROBATE COURT FILINGS 16

DISTRICT COURT FILINGS 17

2018 CASE FLOW MANAGEMENT 18

PUBLIC SATISFACTION TRENDS 19

COURTS’ COLLECTION PROGRAMS 20

FRIEND OF THE COURT CHILD SUPPORT COLLECTIONS 21

FRIEND OF THE COURT PERFORMANCE MEASURES 22

PROBLEM-SOLVING/TREATMENT COURTS 23

FAMILY TREATMENT COURT 24

ADULT TREATMENT COURT/SOBRIETY COURT 25

SWIFT & SURE SANCTIONS PROBATION PROGRAM 25

MENTAL HEALTH COURT 26

3 YEAR-$400,000 OJJDP GRANT AWARDED TO FTC 26

4 YEAR-$500,000 GRANT AWARDED TO ATC 27

$678,000 AWARDED TO PROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS, FY 2019 27

FTC’S OJJDP THREE YEAR ENHANCEMENT GRANT 28

FY 2020 STATE GRANT AWARDS 28

MICHIGAN TRIBAL-STATE-FEDERAL FORUM 29

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JUVENILE COURT FUNDING—CHILD CARE FUND (CCF) 30

“HEARSAY” COURT NEWSLETTER 31

COURT IMAGING PROJECT 32

MICHIGAN LEGAL HELP SELF-HELP CENTERS 33

ALL COURTS STAFF MEETINGS 34

COURTS’ & CLERK PERSONNEL POLICY HANDBOOK 34

ASSESSMENTS & PRE-TRIAL SERVICES INITIATIVE 34

LAW DAY 2018 35

REUNIFICATION DAY 2018 36

MJI COURT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 37

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 2018 FAURI LECTURE 39

ADOPTION DAY 2018 40

FRIEND OF THE COURT “PARENTING ACADEMY” 41

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA) 42

JUDICIAL COUNCIL 43

MICHIGAN INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION (MIDC) 44

BAXTER THE THERAPY DOG 45

LAW & COURTS BUILDING SECURITY COMMITTEE 47

JUVENILE LIFERS 48

CASS COUNTY COURTS ARE NOW ON TWITTER 48

BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS REVIEW & MODIFICATION PILOT IN CASS

COUNTY FRIEND OF THE COURT 49

LAW DAY 2019 50

ELDER ABUSE TRAINING 2019 51

REUNIFICATION DAY 2019 52

CASS COUNTY COURTS NEW WEBSITE 53

IT SECURITY AUDIT, JULY 2019 55

CASS, BERRIEN & ST. JOSEPH COUNTIES’ FEDERAL GRANT FUNDED

TRAUMA TRAINING 56

2019 RECOVERY FILM FESTIVAL 57

100 YEAR FRIEND OF THE COURT CELEBRATION 58

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FOC FACTS FROM 100 YEAR CELEBRATION 60

CASS COUNTY MURALS BY ARTIST JOHN VANDYKE 62

ADOPTION DAY 2019 63

TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE 2019 64

CASS COUNTY COURTS’ CONTACT INFORMATION 65

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MESSAGE FROM CHIEF JUDGE SUSAN L. DOBRICH

We are pleased to present

the 2018/2019 Biennial Report for the Cass County Courts.

My colleagues and I are proud of our diligent Court staff

who work so hard to make our Courts accessible, efficient, & effective.

We measure our performance to improve outcomes,

implement technology to increase

access & improve efficiency, & fine-tune court operations

to be responsible stewards of public resources.

This report highlights recent achievements made possible

by the enthusiasm, compassion, & caring of our dedicated Court

professionals.

I wish to extend my personal gratitude

and sincere appreciation to all

of our dedicated Court personnel, whether named in this report or not,

for the important work each and every one of them perform on a daily basis.

I am confident that we will continue to improve

our court operations and maintain the public's trust & satisfaction.

Chief Judge

Susan L. Dobrich

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JUDGES SERVING THE CASS COUNTY COURTS

43rd CIRCUIT COURT

The Honorable Mark A. Herman

2017-Present

PROBATE COURT

& CHIEF JUDGE

The Honorable Susan L. Dobrich

1995-Present

4th DISTRICT COURT

The Honorable Stacey A. Rentfrow

2009-Present

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COURT TEAM MEMBERS

43rd CIRCUIT COURT

Honorable Mark A. Herman, Judge Honorable Susan L. Dobrich, Chief Judge Joseph Lotarski, Law Clerk

Karen Moran, Judicial Assistant Julia Smith, Judicial Assistant Carol Montavon Bealor, Court Administrator

43rd CIRCUIT COURT FILE ROOM

Monica McMichael, Clerk/Register of Deeds Emily Bogue, File Room Supervisor

Lindsey Muzzey, Deputy Clerk Mary Parmley, Deputy Clerk

FAMILY/JUVENILE COURT

Honorable Susan L. Dobrich, Chief Judge Carol Montavon Bealor, Court Administrator Leigh A. Feldman, Attorney Referee Joni Patzer, Juvenile Register/Fin. Officer Claire Collins, Deputy Juvenile Register Lisa Withers, Judicial Assistant

Lizzie Strukel, Judicial Assistant Dee Duszynski, Bailiff Alexi Fuller, Juvenile Probation Officer Sarah Zhang, Juvenile Probation Officer Justin Vaughn, Juvenile Probation Officer Dawn Mallo, Family/Juvenile Caseworker

PROBATE COURT

Honorable Susan L. Dobrich, Chief Judge Kelley James-Jura, Probate Register Linda Kramb, Deputy Probate Register

Cheryl Hess, Probate Court Clerk Carol Montavon Bealor, Court Administrator

FRIEND OF THE COURT

Carol Montavon Bealor, Director Sarah Mathews, Deputy FOC Melissa Sytsma, Attorney Referee Tina Butler, Enforcement Supervisor Donella Kujawa, Financial CM Supervisor Chelsea Olkowski, Rev/Mod & PT Specialist Deputy Tim Gondeck, Warrant Officer

Dawn Mallo, IV-D Caseworker

Fern Turney, Interstate & PT Specialist Tracie Kuriata, Financial Caseworker April McKee, Enforcement Caseworker Valerie Clark, Medical/Financial CM Specialist Cheri Dolan, Financial CM Clerk/Scheduler Debra Troche, Receptionist Barbara Daniels, Enforcement Clerk

4th DISTRICT COURT

Honorable Stacey A. Rentfrow, Judge Chris Rockafellow, Bailiff/Magistrate Kate Oosterwal, Probation Officer Sandy Tidey, Probation Officer/Magistrate Audra Springsteen, Judicial Assistant Lori Niswonger, Deputy Traffic Clerk

Nancy Brown, Court Administrator/Magistrate Sheila Brown, Deputy Civil Clerk Cindy Brunt, Deputy Criminal/Traffic Clerk Diana Jurgenson, Deputy Collections/Civil Clerk Susan VanTuyle, Deputy Criminal Clerk

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HISTORICAL ROSTER OF CASS COUNTY JUDGES

Probate

1. Honorable Elias B. Sherman, 1831-1837 2. Honorable Ulysses S. Eby, 1913-1920 3. Honorable George M. Fields, 1921-1950

4. Honorable George J. Kabrine, 1950 5. Honorable Mable B. Fields, 1950-1956 6. Honorable Edgar Probst, 1957-1964

7. Honorable Wilson G. Eby, 1965-1977 8. Honorable Michael E. Dodge, 1977-1982

9. Honorable Herbert E. Phillipson, Jr., 1982-1994 10. Honorable Susan L. Dobrich, 1995-present

Circuit 1. Honorable Glen Warner, 1924-1948

2. Honorable Carl D. Moiser, 1948-1960 3. Honorable David Anderson, Jr., 1960-1968 4. Honorable James E. Hoff, 1969-1982

5. Honorable Michael E. Dodge, 1982-2016 6. Honorable Mark A. Herman, 2017-present

District 1. Honorable Steg Lignell, 1969-1978

2. Honorable Herman Saitz, 1979 3. Honorable Paul E. Deats, 1979-2008

4. Honorable Stacey A. Rentfrow, 2009-present Check out the collection of Judicial Portraits hanging in the Law & Courts Building.

The Cass County Bar Association funded the framing and hanging of the Judicial Portraits to memorialize an important piece of Cass County’s legal history.

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MICHIGAN’S CHIEF JUDGE RULE

Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 8.110, a Chief Judge is appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to serve a two (2) year term.

Judge Dobrich was appointed as Cass County’s First Chief Judge for all three Courts (Circuit, Probate, and District) for a two (2) year term beginning January 1, 2014. Judge Dobrich has continued to serve as Chief Judge since that time, most

recently being re-appointed for a two (2) year term beginning January 1, 2020.

A Chief Judge shall act in conformity with the Michigan Court Rules, administrative orders of the Supreme Court, and local court rules. The Chief Judge is the presiding officer of the Courts and shall:

• Call and preside over meetings of the Courts;

• Appoint committees of the Courts;

• Initiate policies concerning the Courts' internal operations and the Courts’ position on external matters affecting the Courts;

• Represent the Courts in their relations with the Supreme Court, other courts, other agencies of government, the bar, the general public, and the news media, and in ceremonial functions; and

• Counsel and assist other judges in the performance of their responsibilities.

As director of the administration of the courts, the Chief Judge has administrative superintending power and control over the judges of the courts and all of the

Courts’ personnel with authority and responsibility which includes:

• Supervising caseload management;

• Directing the apportionment and assignment of the business of the Courts;

• Determining the hours of the Courts and the judges;

• Supervising the performance of all of the Courts’ personnel;

• Supervising the Courts’ finances, including financial planning, the preparation and presentation of budgets, and financial reporting;

• Requesting assignments of visiting judges and direct the assignment of matters to the visiting judges; and,

• Ensuring compliance by the Courts with all applicable court rules and provisions of the law.

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CIRCUIT COURT AUTHORITY

The 43rd Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Cass County and

has county-wide jurisdiction or authority over all actions except those given by state law to another court, including:

• Criminal matters with the potential for one year or more of incarceration

• Domestic relations matters

• Personal protection orders

• Juvenile matters pertaining to delinquency or criminal activity

• Child protective proceedings

• Parental consent waivers

• Adoptions

• Name changes

• Emancipations

• General civil actions involving claims of $25,000 or more

• Cases appealed from another court or by an administrative agency

• Superintending control over other courts within the judicial circuit, subject to final superintending control of the Supreme Court

Final decisions of the Circuit Court may be appealed to the Court of Appeals.

Chief Judge Dobrich and Judge Herman share the Circuit Court caseload. Circuit Court is also assisted by several Attorney-Referees. The Friend of the Court Office, a

division within Circuit Court, assists families with child support and parenting issues.

Chief Judge Dobrich hears the following: civil actions involving claims of $25,000 or more, civil appeals, administrative appeals, domestic relations matters, personal

protection orders, juvenile matters pertaining to delinquency or criminal activity, child protective proceedings, parental consent waivers, adoptions, name changes, and emancipations.

Judge Herman hears the following: criminal matters with the potential for one year or more in jail, domestic relations matters, personal protection orders, cases

appealed from another court or by an administrative agency, superintending control over other courts within the judicial circuit, subject to final superintending control

of the Supreme Court, driver’s license appeals, and criminal forfeiture. Judge Herman presides over Cass County’s Mental Health Court (CMHC) which

serves adult criminal defendants with a mental illness. Judge Herman also presides over Cass County’s Swift & Sure Sanctions Probation Program (SSSPP) which serves

adult criminal defendants with high recidivism risk. More information about CMHC and SSSPP can be found in the problem-solving courts section of this report.

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PROBATE COURT AUTHORITY

The Constitution of 1963 provided that “. . . the jurisdiction, powers and duties of

the probate court and of the judges thereof shall be provided by law. They shall have original jurisdiction in all cases of juvenile delinquents and dependents, except as otherwise provided by law.”

With the creation of the Family Division of the Circuit Court in 1998, many former Probate Court matters, such as juvenile delinquency, child protective proceedings,

and adoption proceedings, were transferred to the jurisdiction of the Circuit Court.

Law currently provides that the Probate Court has jurisdiction or authority over the administration of:

• Decedents’ estates and trusts

• Guardianships of developmentally disabled persons, legally incapacitated adults, and minors

• Conservatorships for legally incapacitated adults and minors

• Protective orders

• Fiduciary accountings

• Petitions for hospitalization/involuntary commitment of mentally ill persons

Final decisions resulting from a Probate Court hearing are appealed to the Court of

Appeals.

Chief Judge Dobrich hears Probate Court cases. Probate Court is also assisted by the Probate Register who assists with estate/trust matters and management.

Chief Judge Dobrich also presides over Cass County’s Family Treatment Court (FTC), Cass County’s first problem-solving court. FTC serves parents who have an alcohol or drug problem as well as having an open abuse/neglect case with their

children. More information about FTC can be found in the problem-solving courts section of this report.

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CIRCUIT & PROBATE JUDGE CASE ASSIGNMENT

The responsibilities of Circuit Court and Probate Court were blended together

pursuant to the mandate of Public Act 388 of 1996, “One family, one judge.” In addition, a Case Assignment Local Administrative Order was done with an effective date of January 1, 2017. As a result of Public Act 388 of 1996 and our Case

Assignment Local Administrative Order, caseloads have been divided between the Circuit and Probate Judges.

Judge Herman

• Criminal matters in which the potential sentence is incarceration of more than one year

• Personal protection orders on an alternating basis with Probate Court

• All divorces without children (DO divorces)

• Designated juvenile cases after preliminary hearing (juvenile cases waived to adult court)

• Half of all other domestic cases including divorces with children, custody cases, paternity cases, child support cases, and the like (DM divorces, DZ, DS, DP, DC)

• Cases appealed from another court or by an administrative agency, and superintending control over other courts within the judicial circuit, subject to final superintending control of the Supreme Court

Chief Judge Dobrich

• General civil Circuit Court actions involving claims of $25,000 or more

• Personal protection orders on an alternating basis with Circuit Court

• Adoptions

• Child protective proceedings (dependent abuse and neglect)

• Emancipation of minors

• Juvenile delinquency excepting designated juvenile cases

• Parental waivers

• Half of all other domestic cases including divorces with children, custody cases, paternity cases, child support cases, and the like (DM divorces, DZ, DS, DP, DC)

• Name change cases

• Status offenses involving minors

• Decedents’ estates and trusts

• Guardianships and conservatorships

• Protective orders

• Fiduciary accountings

• Petitions for hospitalization/involuntary commitment of mentally ill persons

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DISTRICT COURT AUTHORITY

The District Court is sometimes called the “volume” Court since more people have

contact with District Court than any of the other Courts. District Court has jurisdiction or authority over the following:

• Civil claims where the amount of money in controversy or the value of the goods unlawfully taken or detained is $25,000 or less

• Most traffic violations including traffic tickets and civil infractions

• Criminal misdemeanor offenses punishable by a fine or up to one year in jail or both

• Landlord/tenant disputes

• Land contract forfeitures

• Small claims for claims up to $6,000

• Charter and ordinance violations

• Attachment and garnishment proceedings

In addition, all adult criminal cases begin in District Court. So the District Court is involved with all felony cases too through the preliminary examination and until

the entry of an order binding a Defendant over to the Circuit Court. District Court handles initial arraignments for all adult criminal cases including setting bail and accepting bonds.

Judge Rentfrow hears District Court cases. District Court is also assisted by three

Magistrates. Judge Rentfrow also presides over Cass County’s Adult Treatment Court (ATC) &

Sobriety Court. Adult Treatment Court & Sobriety Court serve adult defendants who have both an alcohol or drug problem and a criminal case. More information

about ATC and Sobriety Court can be found in the problem-solving courts section of this report.

.

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CIRCUIT COURT FILINGS

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Circuit: Criminal

Circuit: Civil

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FAMILY DIVISION COURT FILINGS

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Other Family

Divorce

Child Protective

Delinquency

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PROBATE COURT FILINGS

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Estates

Guardianship/Conservatorship

Mental Illness & Admissions

Civil & Trust

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DISTRICT COURT FILINGS

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Felony

Misdemeanor

Civil Inf.

Gen. Civil

Sum. Civil

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2018 CASE FLOW MANAGEMENT

Type of Case SCAO Time Guideline Percent Disposed

by Cass Courts

Circuit Criminal—Felony Adjudicate cases filed within days of bindover: 98% w/in 301 days

92%

Circuit Civil Adjudicate cases within days of

filing: 95% w/in 728 days

100%

Other Family (DC, DP, DS,

DZ, UD, UE)

Adjudicate cases within days of

filing: 95% w/in 238 days

99%

Divorces (children) Adjudicate cases within days of filing: 95% w/in 364 days

95%

Divorces (no children) Adjudicate cases within days of filing: 98% w/in 364 days

98%

Child Protective Proceedings (out of home placement)

Disposition of petitions within days of authorization: 85% w/in 98 days

91%

Child Protective Proceedings

(not in out of home placement)

Disposition of petitions within days of authorization: 95% w/in 210 days

100%

Juvenile Delinquency (in-

custody)

Disposition of petitions within days

of authorization: 90% w/in 98 days

N/A

Juvenile Delinquency (out-of-custody)

Disposition of petitions within days of authorization: 98% w/in 210 days

100%

Estates, Guardianships,

Conservatorships

Adjudicate within days of filing:

• 100% w/in 364 days

100%

Mental Illness and Judicial

Admission Disposition within 28 days 100%

District Criminal—Felony Adjudicate within days of filing

• 75% w/in 28 days

91%

District Criminal—Misdemeanors

Adjudicate of within days of filing

• 95% w/in 126 days

99%

District Civil Infractions Adjudicate within days of filing

• 98% w/in 84 days

99%

District General Civil Adjudicate within days of filing

• 98% w/in 455 days

100%

District Summary Civil Adjudicate within days of filing

• 95% w/in 126 days

96%

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PUBLIC SATISFACTION TRENDS

When asked: “I was able to get my court business done in a reasonable amount of time today,” Respondents said:

When asked: “I was treated with courtesy & respect by court staff,” Respondents

said:

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Agree or Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree or Strongly Disagree

2013

2014

2015

2016

2018

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Agree or Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree or Strongly Disagree

2013

2014

2015

2016

2018

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COURTS’ COLLECTION PROGRAMS

Enforcing court orders, including financial obligations, if done effectively, improves Courts’ credibility and effectiveness while it ensures crime victims are made whole and provides funds to support law enforcement, libraries, the Crime Victim’s Rights

Fund, and local governments. Determining an obligor’s ability to pay is required when enforcing Court-ordered financial obligations.

Courts are measured for collections program compliance by measurement of seven mandatory and three optional collection components.

Component 1: Staff or staff time is dedicated exclusively to collections activities. Component 2: Enforcement of the requirements of MCR 1.110 and communication

of the expectation of payment. Component 3: Payment requirement on the day of assessment. Component 4: Application/financial statement information is verified and

evaluated to establish an appropriate payment plan. Component 5: Payment alternatives such as community service are available for

those who do not have an ability to pay. Component 6: Litigants are closely monitored for compliance, and actions such as delinquency notices, costs to compel appearance, and wage assignments are taken

promptly for noncompliance. Component 7: Submit required receivables and collections reports to the State

Court Administrative Office (SCAO) annually. Component 8: Promptly and consistently use statutorily permitted graduated sanctions such as 20 percent late penalty, costs to compel appearance, show cause

hearings, bench warrants, and/or state income tax garnishment/intercept. (optional) Component 9: Use of locator services. (optional) Component 10: Referral to outside agency for collections after all in-house collections efforts are exhausted. (optional)

Court Review Date Status

Compliance with

Mandatory Collection

Components

Circuit Court 4/12/19 Compliant 100%

Family Division 4/12/19 Compliant 100%

District Court 4/12/19 Compliant 100%

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FRIEND OF THE COURT CHILD SUPPORT COLLECTIONS

Child support payments help to ensure minimum standards of living for children and reduce the need for public resources to support children of parents raising children in separate households. Additionally, counties that collect and disburse 40

percent or more child support in the month it is due receive federal incentives. The incentive rate increases as the disbursement rate increases, up to 79 percent.

In Cass County, the Friend of the Court has worked hard to increase collections in a community with significant payment barriers including lack of access to reliable

transportation and employment opportunities. During all of 2018 and 2019 to date, the Cass County Friend of the Court managed a Title IV-D caseload of just over 3,500 cases.

Percent of Current Support Paid in the Month Due:

62

64

66

68

70

72

74

76

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

% Cass County

% Statewide

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FRIEND OF THE COURT PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Child support collection falls under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. The Friend

of the Court office operates as a Title IV-D agency and a large part of the expense of operating the office (approximately 66%) is reimbursed through federal funds administered through a State “Cooperative Reimbursement Program” (CRP).

The Friend of the Court also earns incentive dollars based on performance.

The federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) established an incentive system to measure states’ performance levels in five factors (45 CFR 305):

1. Paternity Establishment: The number of children with paternity

established or acknowledged, divided by the number of children born out of wedlock.

2. Support Order Establishment: The number of open IV-D cases with support orders, divided by the number of open IV-D cases.

3. Current Support Collections: The amount of current child support collected, divided by the total amount of current child support owed in all

IV-D cases.

4. Arrears Case Collections: Total number of IV-D cases where an arrears

payment was received, divided by the total number of IV-D cases where arrears are owed.

5. Cost-Effectiveness: Total amount of IV-D support collected and disbursed

or retained during the fiscal year, divided by the total amount expended

during the fiscal year The Friend of the Court also has Contract Performance Standards (CPS) from

Michigan’s Office of Child Support (OCS) so that OCS can evaluate the effectiveness of the Michigan IV-D program. Prior to the implementation of CPS, Michigan was

one of only a few states without minimum contract performance standards for IV-D partners.

In October 2016, OCS introduced performance standards into the Friend of the Court’s five-year CRP grant with measurement starting in FY 2019 as the baseline

year. The Friend of the Court measures being monitored are: (1) Locate; (2) Review and Modification; (3) Medical Support; and (4) Timely Enforcement. The Cass County FOC is 100% compliant with the CPS being measured by the OCS.

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PROBLEM-SOLVING/TREATMENT COURTS

Michigan’s problem-solving courts have been extraordinarily successful in solving

problems and saving lives. These innovative courts reach 97 percent of our state’s population and help to make communities statewide safer and stronger. Also called treatment courts, they are successful because participants can access treatment

and other support needed to address underlying issues affecting persons entering the criminal justice and abuse neglect court systems, specifically, alcohol abuse,

drug abuse, mental illness, and untreated trauma. Unlike traditional courts, problem-solving courts are not adversarial and take a

team approach that brings community stakeholders together to reach a “win-win” outcome that prevents further offenses and saves local governments the cost of

incarceration. The Cass County Courts have been on the forefront of the problem-solving/treatment court movement and have obtained numerous federal and state grants to provide much-needed services to our Cass County community.

In Cass County, we have the full spectrum of problem-solving courts, which are all overseen by Chief Judge Susan L. Dobrich in collaboration with the Judges

presiding over each problem-solving court:

• FAMILY TREATMENT COURT o Presiding Judge, Honorable Susan L. Dobrich

• HYBRID ADULT TREATMENT COURT/SOBRIETY COURT o Presiding Judge, Honorable Stacey A. Rentfrow

• SWIFT & SURE SANCTIONS PROBATION PROGRAM o Presiding Judge, Honorable Mark A. Herman

• MENTAL HEALTH COURT o Presiding Judge, Honorable Mark A. Herman

Cass County’s full continuum of problem-solving courts focuses on providing

evidence-based responses that work to improve outcomes, restore families, and make our communities safer.

Since 2006, Cass County’s problem-solving courts have received 10 federal grants totaling $4,612,802.

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FAMILY TREATMENT COURT

The Cass County Family Treatment Court (FTC) was Cass County’s first problem-

solving court. In 2001, Judge Dobrich applied for a federal training grant to bring the family treatment court approach to Cass County. Judge Dobrich was awarded the training grant. Judge Dobrich, Dr. Barbara Howes, and a team of

interdisciplinary professionals were trained in “best practices” of the family treatment court model. And as they say, “the rest is history.” FTC has transformed

the way we do business in the Courts in Cass County. FTC provides an alternative to the traditional court process in abuse and neglect

cases where parental substance abuse is a primary factor. FTC is an evidence based, family based, and trauma informed substance abuse treatment program.

The traditional court process in abuse and neglect cases, with the traditional prosecutor and defense functions, coupled with standard court procedures and

infrequent hearings, often reinforces the participant’s denial of substance abuse issues. The FTC model transforms the roles of those involved in the court process and establishes a coordinated systemic and integrated trauma-informed system of

care focusing on sobriety and accountability.

FTC is committed to providing permanency for children who have been abused or neglected through the court system’s identification of and engagement with parents who have been diagnosed with drug and/or alcohol dependence, by judicial

oversight over the provision of evidence based services to strengthen the entire family system through an integrated, court-based collaboration among a diverse

group of community service providers, who work as a team, providing individualized, self-directed, and trauma-informed treatment services, holding parents accountable and providing parents with opportunities and skills to live a life

of recovery while also providing a safe and nurturing environment for their child(ren).

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ADULT TREATMENT COURT/SOBRIETY COURT

The Cass County Adult Treatment Court (ATC)/Sobriety Court (SC) has been

operational since March 16, 2012. ATC and SC provide an alternative to the traditional court process in criminal cases where substance abuse is a primary presenting factor. ATC and SC are evidence based and trauma informed substance

abuse treatment programs.

ATC and SC are committed to improving community safety, transforming lives and changing outcomes for defendants in the criminal justice system who have been diagnosed with drug and/or alcohol dependence, by judicial oversight over the

provision of evidence based services through an integrated, court-based collaboration among a diverse group of community service providers, who work as a

team, providing individualized, self-directed, and trauma-informed treatment services, holding criminal defendants accountable and providing them with opportunities and skills to live a life of recovery while also keeping the community

safe.

SWIFT & SURE SANCTIONS PROBATION PROGRAM

The Cass County Swift & Sure Sanctions Probation Program (SSSPP) has been operational since 2013. SSSPP is an intensive probation supervision program that

targets high-risk felony offenders with a history of probation violations or failures. Governed by MCL 771A.1 et seq., SSSPP is modeled on Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program, which studies have shown to be very

successful in improving the rate of successful completion of probation among high-risk probationers.

SSSPP participants are closely monitored, including being subjected to frequent random testing for drug and alcohol use and being required to attend frequent

meetings with probation and/or case management staff. SSSPP aims to improve probationer success by promptly imposing graduated sanctions, including small amounts of jail time, for probation violations. Judges in Michigan's SSSPP courts

have reported a reduction in positive drug tests and failures to appear at scheduled meetings with probation officers among their SSSPP participant population.

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MENTAL HEALTH COURT

Mental health courts in Michigan have been established since the late 2000s.

Mental health court is modeled after drug court and was developed in response to the overrepresentation of people with mental illnesses in the criminal justice system.

In 2014, Berrien County and Cass County collaborated to apply for, and were

awarded, a Regional Mental Health Court grant to take the mental health court philosophy more to scale by expanding the mental health court concept into two counties. In 2019, it was unanimously decided by program leadership, including

the Chief Judges of Berrien and Cass Counties, to discontinue the Regional Mental Health Court and instead for each county to operate stand-alone mental health

courts. Cass County’s Mental Health Court (CMHC) became operational October 1, 2019.

CMHC provides an alternative to the traditional court process in criminal cases where a defendant’s involvement in the criminal system is related to the defendant’s diagnosis with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, co-occurring

disorder, or developmental disability. The CMHC operates pursuant to authority, limitations and requirements set forth in Michigan law, specifically MCL 600.1090-

600.1099a.

3 YEAR-$400,000 OJJDP GRANT AWARDED TO FTC

FTC was awarded a three year, $400,000 federal grant award by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) for the grant period of October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2019.

Only six OJJDP grants were awarded nationwide to: Cass County, Michigan;

Hillsdale County, Michigan; Grant County, Indiana; Baldwin County, Georgia; Dallas County, Alabama; and Lancaster County, Nebraska.

According to Chief Judge Susan L. Dobrich, who created and oversees Cass County’s Family Treatment Court, “All Courts are really ‘family courts.” Every court

participant is a parent or a family member and if you don’t treat and provide services to the whole family, you can’t effectuate real and lasting change for the family.”

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4 YEAR-$500,000 GRANT AWARDED TO ATC

ATC was awarded a four year, $500,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program. ATC received one of forty-nine grants awarded across

the nation. This grant enhances ATC’s ability to utilize evidence-based practices. Since becoming operational on March 16, 2012, ATC has served 100 participants. This newest grant will allow ATC to serve an additional 118 participants over the

term of the four year grant.

According to studies conducted by Pew Charitable Trusts (March 3, 2018), higher rates of drug imprisonment did not translate into lower rates of drug use, arrests, or overdose deaths. The most effective response to drug misuse is a combination of law

enforcement, alternative sentencing, and treatment.

$678,000 AWARDED TO PROBLEM-SOLVING COURTS, FY 2019

The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) awarded Cass County’s problem-

solving courts the following grant awards for FY 2019, October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019:

• $98,000 for the Family Treatment Court operated by Cass County Probate/Family Court

• $176,000 for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program (SSSPP grant) operated by Cass County Circuit Court

• $130,000 for Adult Treatment Court/Sobriety Court operated by Cass

County 4th District Court • $274,000 for the Berrien/Cass Regional Mental Health Court (MMHCGP-

Regional) operated by Berrien County’s Unified Trial Courts and Cass

County’s Circuit Court

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FTC’S OJJDP THREE YEAR ENHANCEMENT GRANT

FTC was awarded a three year, $746,482 federal enhancement grant award by the

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) for the grant period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022. Woodlands will receive $300,000 or $100,000 per year, during the three year grant period to expand evidence-based

services to parents and children including Strengthening Families, Helping Men Recover, and Nurturing Parenting Program. Only 5 OJJDP enhancement grants

were awarded nationwide in Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, and Rhode Island.

The child welfare system and Family Treatment Courts face complex challenges meeting the varied needs of children, parents, and family members. Contributing to

the challenges are a set of competing time lines associated with (1) the length of time it takes for a parent to achieve stable recovery, (2) the expedited child permanency time lines mandated by federal and state law, and (3) a child’s time to

meet developmental milestones. When Family Treatment Courts intervene effectively, the results can be dramatic. Parents participating in Family Treatment Courts enter treatment more quickly, are retained in treatment longer, and complete

treatment at higher rates than their non-Treatment Court counterparts, as well as being more likely to be reunified with their children. The children of parents

participating in Family Treatment Courts spend less time in out-of-home placement and enter permanent placements more quickly than their non-Treatment Court counterparts.

FY 2020 STATE GRANT AWARDS

The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) awarded Cass County’s problem-solving courts the following grant awards for FY 2020, October 1, 2019 through

September 30, 2020:

• $78,000 for the Family Treatment Court (Michigan Drug Court Grant Program grant) operated by Cass County’s Probate/Family Court

• $175,000 for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program (SSSPP grant) operated by Cass County’s 43rd Circuit Court

• $120,000 for the Hybrid DWI/Drug Court (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant) operated by Cass County’s 4th District Court

• $86,485 for the newly created Cass County Mental Health Court (CMHC) operated by Cass County’s 43rd Circuit Court

According to Chief Judge Susan L. Dobrich, “The state’s continued funding of our programs in Cass County recognizes the successes we have achieved: stronger and

safer communities, more productive and engaged citizens, and children being raised in healthier families.”

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MICHIGAN TRIBAL-STATE-FEDERAL FORUM

In March 2018, Chief Judge Susan L. Dobrich was appointed to serve as co-chair of

the Michigan Tribal Judicial Forum. Michigan enjoys a history of collaboration between state and tribal courts dating back prior to the first Tribal State Federal Forum in 1992. The Forum strives to embody the Seven Grandfather Teachings:

Truth, Honesty, Humility, Wisdom, Love, Respect, and Bravery.

“Even though tribal judges represent sovereign nations, sometimes the Michigan courts do not provide the proper amount of respect for the authority of that tribal court,” said Chief Judge Dobrich. “Through the Forum, we work on

recommendations to provide a better working relationship between the state and tribal courts.” The Forum consists of twelve tribal judges, twelve state judges, a

Justice from the Michigan Supreme Court, two judges from the Michigan Court of Appeals, and federal magistrates.

According to Chief Judge Michael Petoskey of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, “the most important recommendation of the [1992] forum was that the Michigan Supreme Court consider adopting a court rule that would provide for state

court recognition and enforcement of tribal court judgments. In 1996, the Michigan Supreme Court adopted such a rule, ordering that state courts recognize

subpoenas, warrants, and other judicial acts as long as that federally recognized tribe recognized the same orders from the Michigan courts. For many of us, that was a huge step…..”

By working together on these issues, our courts can make sure that children and

families benefit from a unified and seamless approach that protects their health and welfare. For more information, visit www.courts.mi.gov/tribalcourts.

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JUVENILE COURT FUNDING—CHILD CARE FUND (CCF)

Michigan’s Child Care Fund (CCF) provides financial support for 50% of costs related to the direct care of and community-based programming for juveniles. Chief Judge Susan L. Dobrich and her team, spear-headed by Joni Patzer, administer not

only of the Cass County CCF, but also of the Department of Health and Human Services sub-account of the CCF. The CCF reimbursement is a collaborative effort

between Michigan’s Circuit Courts, county governments, state and local Department of Health and Human Services offices and tribes to support programming for neglected, abused, and delinquent youth in Michigan.

The CCF originated in 1955 with a series of Foster Care bills designed to improve care for children under the jurisdiction of the juvenile courts by allowing the state to

participate in cost-sharing with the counties. Between 1980 and 1997 the state placed an annual cap on the amount of CCF reimbursement available to each

Circuit Court which matched Circuit Court expenditures up to a fixed dollar amount and any expenses beyond that limit were the Circuit Court’s responsibility. In 1997, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled the CCF cap illegal under Article IX, section 29

of the Michigan Constitution. This is commonly known as the maintenance of support clause or the “Headlee Amendment.” As a result, the cap was removed and the State began to reimburse counties for 50% of eligible CCF expenses.

Initially, CCF reimbursement was limited to youth in out-of-home placements such

as foster homes or county-/court-operated facilities. In response to the Michigan Supreme Court decision referenced above, additional community-based, In-Home Care (IHC) treatment programming was developed by counties to further maximize

local juvenile justice and child welfare funds. This type of programming strives to provide necessary services to prevent removal and allow children to remain at home.

IHC efforts may also focus on early reunification for youth already in out-of-home placements.

IHC programming permits a large degree of local initiative and control, as services are based on the needs of the community. IHC programming may include day treatment, intensive probation, alternatives to detention, family counseling, job

skills training, and community wraparound. If the safety of the youth, the youth’s family, or the community is at risk, an out-of-home placement may be required. The

CCF reimburses for a variety of out-of-home placements including foster homes and court-/county-operated detention facilities, shelter care, and placement in other private child caring institutions.

The $1.2 million dollar child care fund is primarily managed by Chief Judge Dobrich

and the Juvenile Register/Financial Officer, Joni Patzer, which includes creation and management of an annual plan and budget approved by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, Chief Judge Dobrich serves

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on the State Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Funding Leadership Council governing the Child Care Fund.

Starting October 1, 2019, the “State Pays First” will be implemented with respect to the CCF. Under this funding plan, the State will pay foster care families first and

then counties will be charged back 50% instead of counties fronting funding and being reimbursed for 50% by the State.

For more information on the CCF, visit https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71551_66660---,00.html

“HEARSAY” COURT NEWSLETTER

Since May 2016, Probate Register Kelley James-Jura’s “Hearsay” Courts’ newsletter has been going strong. The newsletter is a way to keep individuals informed about the activities and accomplishments that are occurring within the Cass County Law

and Courts Building. The publication includes an employee section with updates about staff, articles about ongoing projects within the courthouse, information about upcoming court and community events, among other topics.

The Newsletter is created on a quarterly basis and emailed to all Court employees.

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COURT IMAGING PROJECT

The Imaging Project kicked off in January 2016 as leaders within the Courts, Clerk,

and Friend of the Court worked with Imagesoft to develop and implement a document management and workflow system. The project started in the Friend of the Court in order to leverage the Friend of the Court’s IV-D money which provides

66% reimbursement for eligible IV-D expenditures as well as reimbursement for indirect costs.

The Imaging Project “Go Live” date was November 30, 2016. “Go-Live” essentially meant that we would start doing our work through the “workflow” system we built

within the OnBase imaging system. Workflow allows us to move documents from one person to another through the OnBase imaging system with the push of a

button instead of manually carrying documents by way of the Court file from one person to another.

There are two components to an imaging system. Imaging of documents from the “Go Live” date and forward and imaging of the documents that existed prior to the “Go Live” date (called back-filing). All 2017-2020 Court files involving divorce,

custody, child support, paternity, and other family matters are in the OnBase imaging system with each individually filed document indexed and part of workflow.

2013-2016 Court files have been back-filed by the Clerk’s office providing users with access in OnBase to those Court files . In the Friend of the Court, all incoming documents are currently being processed in the OnBase imaging system as well as

having all 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Friend of the Court documents and files imaged.

The Imaging Project has required a great deal of collaboration, patience, and willingness to change on the part of Court/Clerk/Friend of the Court personnel.

This project has gone very smoothly in large part because of the willingness of our staff to embrace the changes that Imaging has brought to our work processes. Our staff deserve a huge “thank you” for their support of this expansive project.

E-Filing will become mandatory in the next few years. As a result, Cass County will

be well-positioned to add on the E-Filing solution to our existing OnBase imaging system so that we can seamlessly convert from paper filing to electronic filing. E-Filing is going to occur in 5 pilot Courts first with a roll-out projected to the other

counties starting in 2020.

Currently, Cass County’s imaging team is working on adding Circuit Court Criminal cases to our imaging project during FY 2020. We are currently in the planning and testing phases for Circuit Criminal.

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MICHIGAN LEGAL HELP SELF-HELP CENTERS

Michigan Legal Help is for people who are handling their legal problems without a

lawyer. It helps patrons learn about legal problems and get ready for court. There are many Do-It-Yourself tools to help users create court forms.

The website does not give legal advice, and it is not a substitute for having a lawyer. The website is an excellent resource to people who need legal assistance and

includes information about: family law matters, housing, public assistance, criminal law, expungement, wills, life planning, immigration, personal safety, debt collection, income tax law, employment law, education law, farm law, and general information

about going to Court.

There are computer terminals in the main branch of the Cass Library and the Law & Courts Building for folks to access Michigan Legal Help. The Library has trained Navigators to assist folks using Michigan Legal Help’s website. Visit

https://michiganlegalhelp.org/ for more information.

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ALL COURTS STAFF MEETINGS

Court employees continue to gather on a quarterly basis to have a forum for exchanging information and communicating about important events in each of the Courts. Chief Judge Dobrich presides over the All Courts’ Staff Meetings where she

provides updates along with Judge Rentfrow and Judge Herman. Q & A sessions are also held with the staff. Snacks and prizes are regularly given

with contests created by Court Administrator Carol Bealor. Contests have included “getting to know each other” bingo and legal trivia.

COURTS’ & CLERK PERSONNEL POLICY HANDBOOK

2019 marked the release of a Court & Clerk Personnel Policy Manual for Court and Clerk employees. The new Personnel Policy Manual creates some new policies as well as clarifying previously established county policies.

Two training sessions were held on Thursday, December 5, 2019 to provide all staff

with a hard copy of the new policy manual as well as to cover highlights of the manual. If staff have any questions about the policy handbook, they should talk to their direct

supervisor or their elected official/department head.

ASSESSMENTS & PRE-TRIAL SERVICES INITIATIVE

The Cass County Courts have worked collaboratively with the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, Community Corrections, and specifically Krista Smith to develop an

assessment driven, evidenced-based, pre-trial services to the Cass County criminal justice system.

Early assessment provides the opportunity for more community based supervision that when coupled with pre-trial services provides for better outcomes for both

offenders and the county’s bottom line. In addition, pre-trial release coupled with appropriate supervision saves the County money by reducing the number offenders in the jail as well as the total number of days offenders stay in the jail.

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LAW DAY 2018

Law Day, held annually on May 1st, is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule

of law. Law Day underscores how law and the legal process contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share and also provides an opportunity to recognize the role of courts in a constitutional democracy.

Law Day programs are designed to help people better understand how law protects

our liberty and how our legal system strives to achieve justice. Thousands of Law Day programs are conducted each year for youth and adults across the country. In addition, every year since 1958, the President of the United States has issued a Law

Day proclamation recognizing the importance of the rule of law.

The theme for Law Day 2018 was Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom. Law Day 2018 marked the 60th anniversary of Law Day in the United States. The Cass County Bar Association collaborated with the Cass County Courts to host a

Law Day celebration on May 3, 2018 in Chief Judge Dobrich’s Courtroom. The 2018 Law Day festivities included awarding prizes to the junior high and high

school essay contest winners who wrote essays about the importance of separation of powers; giving the Liberty Bell awards to local citizens Jennifer Ray, who was

retiring from the Cass District Library, and James Kusa, who retired from the Dowagaic Police Department, along with hearing a keynote address by guest speaker Larry Royster, Chief Clerk of the Michigan Supreme Court.

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REUNIFICATION DAY 2018

Michigan is one of 27 states to hold Reunification Day events celebrating

reunification of foster children with their families and spotlighting the professionals who strengthen and support families making reunification possible. 2018 marked the third year that Michigan Courts celebrated Reunification Day.

Cass County’s Reunification Day 2018 marked the 2nd time Cass County has held a

Reunification Day celebration. Arthur Dodd Memorial Park was the site of the Reunification Day festivities on June 13, 2018 where families, community partners, elected officials and Court staff gathered to hear speakers talk about what

reunification meant to them.

The Pokagon Band of Potowatami Indians performed a drumming ceremony to commemorate the event. The Transformation Trailblazer award was also presented to Dr. Barbara M. Howes, who has been instrumental in the problem-solving court

movement.

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MJI COURT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Michigan’s Judicial Institute (MJI) holds a Court Leadership Team Academy (CLTA) on an annual basis to provide advanced leadership training to the Michigan

judiciary. From September 2018 through February 2019, a group of Cass County Court leaders comprised of our Chief Judge, Susan L. Dobrich, our Probate Register, Kelley James-Jura, our Deputy FOC, Sarah Mathews, and our Court

Administrator/Friend of the Court Director, Carol Montavon Bealor, participated in the MJI CLTA. As a result, Cass County’s Court Leadership Team developed a Procedural Fairness project.

Procedural Fairness is the perceived fairness of court procedures and court

personnel’s treatment of individuals. Customers come into our Courts looking for solutions to complex problems and answers to difficult questions. How we respond to these customer interactions is just as important as each individual outcome.

The purpose of Cass County’s Procedural Fairness project is to promote increased

awareness, understanding, and use of Procedural Fairness practices in the court system through targeted education of key groups of individuals and use of six words/concepts to focus attention on to increase understanding of Procedural

Fairness: Transparency, Respect, Voice, Trust, Neutrality, and Listen.

• Respect: Treating all with courtesy; making eye contact; explaining what is happening; and giving customers our full attention.

• Voice: Allowing litigants to be heard; providing meaningful participation.

• Listen: Slowing down and being silent (tuning out distraction); taking time to hear what litigants are saying; and observing litigants’ body language.

• Neutrality: Being fair and unbiased; giving the same message to both sides; and guarding against favoritism.

• Trust: Being sincere and caring; taking the time necessary (treating each case like it’s the only one); and explaining factors that impact the interaction.

• Transparency: Being clear to all how decisions will be made; explaining procedures and processes; and avoiding legal jargon.

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Our Court Leadership Team designed a standard logo that showcases our six words/concepts and creates increased awareness, understanding, and use of procedural fairness practices.

Our goal is to support and fulfill our project’s purpose over the course of three specific phases. The Court Leadership Team is mindful that training is a process and that the Courts need to pursue this project as a progression of small changes

that can make a big difference. The system cannot be changed overnight. The Courts will approach this project as a progression from where the Courts are now to

where the Courts can be in the short term and in the long term. The Procedural Fairness job aide card reminds staff how Procedural Fairness can be

incorporated into daily interactions with Court customers.

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UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 2018 FAURI LECTURE

The Fedele F. Fauri Memorial Conference on child welfare is presented annually at the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work in recognition of the former University of Michigan Dean and Vice President Fedele F. Fauri and his wife. Dean

Fauri's leadership and accomplishments in the field of child welfare spanned nearly 50 years.

The 2018 Fauri Lecture presented speakers focusing on substance use in families including professionals from the fields of social work, law, and child welfare.

Cass County sent two speakers, Peer Recovery Coach, Preston Collett, and Court Administrator, Carol Bealor, (filling in for Chief Judge Dobrich) to sit on a panel

with Tina Willauer from Children and Family Futures where they presented on “Uncovering substance use in families: a child welfare lens: Lessons learned in Cass County, Michigan.”

Preston Collett has been on a personal journey through recovery since November 21,

2011 and continues to provide knowledge and wisdom to others seeking a path to recovery. Preston believes there are multiple pathways to recovery and continues his daily work toward this belief. Outside his personal knowledge, Preston has completed

multiple certifications to continue to educate himself in the recovery field. He is a certified Moral Reconation Therapy group facilitator and continues to facilitate or co-

facilitate others in the community; Helping Men Recover, Seeking Safety, and Strengthening Families, to name a few.

Preston’s leadership in the Southwest Michigan helping courts is steady and strong. He continues to shine light on the need for peer support in the recovery community, supports the multi-disciplinary teams, shares his personal story and journey, exhibits

excellency as a group leader and co-facilitator, and strives to make his community a sanctuary for recovery.

Carol Bealor has a passion for problem-solving courts and has worked in Cass County’s problem-solving courts since 2004 first as a private attorney sitting on the

problem-solving court teams and then since 2013 as Court Administrator and FOC Director.

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ADOPTION DAY 2018

Adoption Day 2018 celebrated on November 20, 2018 marked the 16th year that

Cass County held an Adoption Day celebration. Since 2002, Cass County Probate Court has finalized close to 700 adoptions.

Judge Susan L. Dobrich finalized three adoptions during the festivities. She also recognized three families that had finalized adoptions previously. The children were

each given their own cakes and gifts to celebrate the occasion and a photographer was present to capture memories of the day. The families were then later sent all the photos from the day and they also each received a family pass to the Potawatomi

Zoo, thanks to the CASA program.

Adoption Day 2018 speakers included Senator John Proos, Representative Aaron Miller, Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Hubbert, Cass County CASA Director Erica Boulanger, Attorney Elizabeth McCree, and Referee Leigh Feldman. Also in

attendance were local public officials, law enforcement, attorneys, collaborative partners, and Court staff.

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FRIEND OF THE COURT “PARENTING ACADEMY”

Since April 11, 2017, the Cass County Friend of the Court’s “Parenting Academy”

has been operational providing our area families with an interactive, no-cost, learning opportunity for parents raising children in separate homes. The “Parenting Academy” is made up of 5 sessions (modules): Module 1 is an introduction and

focused on viewing separation from the child's perspective; Module 2 is focused on conflict resolution; Module 3 is focused on communication; Module 4 is focused on

Joint Decision Making; and Module 5 is focused on child safety. Speakers include Friend of the Court staff and Ph.D. level family counseling professionals.

Each session is tailored to the audience in attendance. Folks may attend one session or all of the sessions. Certificates are given to everyone attending a session.

A “Diploma” is given to persons attending all 5 sessions of the “Parenting Academy.” The “Parenting Academy” meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month at the Cass District

Library located at 319 M-62 North in Cassopolis, Michigan. For more information about the “Parenting Academy,” contact Friend of the Court Director, Carol Bealor, at 269-445-4482 or carolb@cassco.org.

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COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA)

The CASA program continues to be an invaluable partner to the Cass County

Courts. “CASA” stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. A CASA Volunteer is

appointed by the Family Court Judge to provide factual, independent, and objective information regarding the status of children involved in child protective proceedings.

The CASA Volunteer complements the duties of other professionals involved in neglect and abuse cases. Other professionals include, but are not limited to, the Court, protective service workers, foster care workers, prosecuting attorneys, the

lawyer-guardian ad litem, attorneys for the respondent parents, and therapists and counselors.

The Cass County CASA program is a not-for-profit agency of trained volunteer advocates who appear in court and act as a "voice" for abused and neglected

children in child protective proceedings in Cass County. If you are interested in learning more about CASA, becoming a volunteer advocate

or a board member, contact Erica Boulanger, Director, at 269-445-4431, x2 or email her at casscocasa1@yahoo.com.

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JUDICIAL COUNCIL

Cass County Courts continue to utilize a “Judicial Council” for decision-making in

the Courts. The “Judicial Council” is comprised of the Chief Judge, Judge Susan L. Dobrich, along with Judge Mark A. Herman, and Judge Stacey A. Rentfrow. The Clerk, Monica Kennedy, Department of Corrections Supervisor, Carl Butler, District

Court Administrator/Magistrate, Nancy Brown, Probate Register, Kelley James-Jura, Juvenile Register, Joni Patzer, Circuit Court File Room Supervisor, Emily

Bogue, and Circuit/Family/Probate Administrator—Friend of the Court Director, Carol Bealor, also sit on the Judicial Council.

Jill Booth, the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) Region V Director, also attends the Judicial Council meetings—providing the group with SCAO updates that

may include information regarding recent legislation, proposed court rule and form changes, new regulations, and required reporting. The meetings allow the elected officials and department heads an opportunity to collaborate and discuss policy

making. The Judicial Council meets every 4-6 weeks and provides a forum for problem-solving within the Cass County Court system. Some recent focuses of the Judicial Council include analysis of court house security and implementation of

electronic displays for the court dockets. Future objectives include creating a strategic plan for the Courts.

Utilization of the Judicial Council improves communication among Judges, the Clerk’s Office, quasi-judicial officers, and administrative staff; improves

communications with the funding unit; ensures that decision-making considers the needs of all Court units and the Clerk’s office; reduces competition between the

Courts and the Clerk’s Office for limited resources; and improves cooperation and teamwork. The Judicial Council also improves administrative efficiencies, coordination of technology, and coordinated case management.

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MICHIGAN INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION (MIDC)

MIDC was created to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants.

In October 2011, Governor Snyder issued Executive Order 2011-12, establishing the initial Indigent Defense Advisory Commission, which was responsible for

recommending improvements to the state’s legal system. These recommendations served as the basis for legislation to address this need and called for the 15-member Indigent Defense Commission that the governor signed into law in July 2013.

MIDC develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense

services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States Constitution, the

State Constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act.

On June 1, 2016, the Michigan Supreme Court conditionally approved the first four standards for indigent criminal defense services. In May, 2017, the four standards

were approved by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Those first four standards cover:

• training and education of counsel,

• the initial client interview,

• use of investigation and experts, and

• counsel at first appearance and other critical stages.

All indigent defense delivery systems in Michigan must submit compliance plans and cost projections to the MIDC no later than November 20, 2017.

Cass County Courts worked with other community stakeholders to develop a Compliance Plan to submit pursuant to the MIDC Act seeking funding for indigent

defense initiatives required by the MIDC Act. The requirements under the MIDC Act are dependent upon state funding of the

indigent defense initiatives. As a result, these initiatives are dependent upon whether the legislature provides the required funding.

Cass County’s MIDC plan was submitted to the state and was approved as submitted. Now, the state needs to appropriate funding to support the MIDC plans.

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BAXTER THE THERAPY DOG

Court staff and visitors to the Law & Courts Building have gotten used to a “friendlier face” around the building. Baxter the Therapy Dog was sworn in as the

Courts’ first therapy dog on March 26, 2019.

The Cass County Friend of the Court is “home” to Baxter the Therapy Dog. Baxter is

an English Labrador Retriever, born on August, 20, 2017. Baxter’s AKC Registered name is Coco’s Storm Cloud Baxter. The name is a combination of Baxter’s parents, KTL Sippin Hot Coco (mother) and Silver Bullet’s White Storm Cloud (father).

Baxter’s owner and handler is Cass County Sheriff Deputy Tim Gondeck, the Friend

of the Court Bench Warrant Officer. Baxter has been coming into the Friend of the Court as part of his training since the age of seven weeks old. Deputy Gondeck started Baxter’s formal training at Indiana K9 Learning Center/ Top Notch Service

Dogs in Elkhart, Indiana when Baxter was 8 weeks old. As Baxter’s training progressed, he spent more and more time in the Friend of the Court.

Baxter has been specifically trained to work with traumatized victims and witnesses as well as vulnerable adults as a therapy dog/canine advocate. Baxter’s training

included: Puppy Class I, Puppy Class II, AKC Star Puppy Certification, AKC Canine Good Citizen Title Certificate, and AKC Community Canine Title Certificate (Advanced Canine Good Citizen).

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Baxter is one of 3 canines in the Cass County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit. The other 2 are Faust, a dual purpose patrol/narcotics canine who’s handler is Deputy Dave Nevins and Nellie, a single purpose tracking canine who’s handler is Deputy Tiffany

Graves.

Baxter is available to sit with a victim or witness while they are testifying. Baxter also is available to sit with a people who are being interviewed. In the Friend of the Court, Baxter sits with children being interviewed by the Attorney Referee. Children

have reacted very positively to interactions with Baxter. You can follow Baxter on his Facebook page, “Baxter the Therapy Dog”

https://www.facebook.com/k9baxter/

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LAW & COURTS BUILDING SECURITY COMMITTEE

Effective May 1, 2019, by local administrative order issued by Chief Judge Dobrich,

a security committee was established for the Cass County Law & Courts Building. Chief Judge Dobrich chairs the committee comprised of the:

• Judges,

• Chair of the Board of Commissioners for the County,

• County Administrator,

• County IT Director,

• Sheriff,

• Undersheriff,

• Head of Security at the Law & Courts Building,

• Village of Cassopolis Chief of Police,

• County Clerk,

• File Room Supervisor,

• Court Administrator for Circuit/Family/Probate Courts,

• District Court Administrator,

• Director of Emergency Management,

• Prosecutor,

• Chief Deputy Prosecutor, and,

• Any other representatives deemed necessary by the Chief Judge. The Security Committee’s duties include:

• Developing and promoting security policies and procedures regarding court security and emergency management;

• Establishing goals and objectives specific to improving physical security, emergency preparedness, and employee training;

• Reviewing all security incidents in the Cass County Law & Courts Building and taking appropriate corrective measures to mitigate and/or eliminate any security vulnerabilities to prevent future reoccurrences.

One of the first tasks of the committee is to submit an initial report to the SCAO regional administrator by March 31, 2020 and every year thereafter concerning the

actions taken by the security committee to fulfill its duties. The Security Committee meets on a regular basis, at least four times per calendar

year.

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JUVENILE LIFERS

In 2012, the US Supreme Court ruled in Miller v. Alabama that juveniles should no longer be sentenced to mandatory life terms, citing developmental differences in the

teenage brain, as well as the ability for rehabilitation. In January of 2016, the US Supreme Court further ruled in Montgomery v. Louisiana that the Miller opinion

should be applied retroactively. The Miller decision sets out certain sentencing and re-sentencing considerations.

Among “Miller factors” are the offender’s age and maturity at the time of the crime, their family and home environment, the circumstances of the offense, the offender’s involvement in the offense, the offender’s family, and peer pressure. The likelihood

of rehabilitation is also to be considered with relevance given to a defendant’s conduct during incarceration too.

For about 3 years, courts across Michigan have been working through re-sentencings for more than 360 juvenile lifers in the state. Locally, there are 14

juvenile lifers with cases in Berrien and Cass Counties (12 in Berrien and 2 in Cass County). In Cass County, Judge Herman will preside over the proceedings to revisit

the sentences for the two Cass County juvenile life offenders.

CASS COUNTY COURTS ARE NOW ON TWITTER

Cass County Courts are now on Twitter. Twitter is a good way to communicate quickly about important topics in real time.

Check us out at: @CassCourts

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BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS REVIEW & MODIFICATION PILOT IN CASS COUNTY FRIEND OF THE COURT

A workgroup led by FOC Director, Carol Bealor, and Julie Vandenboom, from the

Office of Child Support, with members from other Friend of the Court offices around the state of Michigan piloted a behavioral intervention for the review and modification child support process done in Friend of the Court offices.

A behavioral intervention focuses on using “nudges” to get a certain behavior (See Thaler/Sunstein. Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, And Happiness. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008.) An example of a behavioral intervention is recycling. You may have seen a hotel use two different bins. One

marked “for the landfill” and one marked “save the planet” trying to “nudge” people to recycle more.

Friend of the Court offices conduct what are known as child support reviews to re-evaluate the child support amount ordered in each Friend of the Court case. Parties

to a child support case can request a review any time there is a “change in circumstances” and all cases are eligible for reviews every thirty-six months.

Friends of the Court identified problems with parties failing to participate fully in the review and modification process. The pilot focused on “nudging” more

participation in the child support review process by:

• Sending out a postcard prior to the “Notice of Support Review” going out

• Sending out a “Notice of Support Review” with friendlier language and icons to call attention to the important information

• Providing parties with the option of an in person or telephone interview instead of simply returning completed documents

• Having Friend of the Court staff follow up by phone, email or text if materials were not returned

The preliminary data suggests that “nudging” helped creating better response rates.

However, it is not clear which “nudges” created the better response rates—was it the postcard, the revised “Notice of Support Review, the optional in person or telephone

interview, or the Friend of the Court staff follow up. The Office of Child Support will continue to explore ways to use behavioral

interventions to create better outcomes for our child support program. More to come…..

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LAW DAY 2019

In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower designated May 1st as Law Day. This day

is an opportunity to strengthen our great American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law.

The Cass County Bar Association 2019 Law Day event, which was attended by lawyers, Judges, teachers, school administration, Cass County officials and leaders,

and other community members featured:

• Keynote speaker: Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian K. Zahra, who spoke on the importance of upholding the Constitution, especially the 1st amendment, in today’s society

• Liberty Bell award winners: Dr. Barbara Howes & Preston Collett, trailblazers in supporting and promoting Cass County Courts’ full continuum of problem-

solving courts, which include Family Treatment Court (FTC), Sobriety Court, Adult Treatment Court, Swift & Sure Sanctions Probation Program, and

Mental Health Court

• Unveiling of the Family Treatment Court (FTC) video

• High school & Middle school essay contest winners

The Liberty Bell Award is presented to non-lawyers, in conjunction with Law Day, to honor outstanding citizens within the local community who have given of their time and energy to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of freedom under

law, in keeping with the spirit of our Constitution. The 2019 Liberty Bell award winners have been problem-solving court champions:

• Dr. Howes in working collaboratively with Judge Dobrich to establish Cass

County’s first problemsolving court, Family Treatment Court (FTC) and

then going on to spearhead the other Cass County problem-solving courts as well as taking this movement to the St. Joseph County Courts, and

• Preston Collett in serving as a Peer Support in the problem-solving court

programs having himself graduated from Cass County’s Family Treatment Court (FTC) and now giving back to others who are working their way

through the problem-solving courts.

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ELDER ABUSE TRAINING 2019

The Cass County Probate Court hosted a multidisciplinary Elder Abuse Training on

Thursday, May 30, 2019, at the Council on Aging Lowe Center. Speakers included Ron Tatro from Michigan Elder Justice Coordinating Counsel, Ryan Painter from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan, and Cynthia Farrell from the Aging

and Adult Services Agency, MDHHS. The keynote speaker was Michigan Supreme Court Justice Megan K. Cavanagh.

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REUNIFICATION DAY 2019

National Reunification Month began in 2010 as a single day—June 19 (during

Father's Day weekend). Since 2010 the following guiding principles have remained central:

• Reunification with family is the preferred outcome for children who must be removed from their homes and placed in foster care.

• For most children in foster care, reunification with their family is their best option for a permanent and loving home.

• Every year, thousands of children are successfully reunified with their

families. • All children need the care, love, security, and stability of family unity—

including parents, siblings, grandparents, and other extended family members—to provide a solid foundation for personal growth, development, and maturity.

Reunification takes work, commitment, and investment of time and resources by parents, family members, social workers, foster parents, service providers,

attorneys, courts, and the community. The American Bar Association’s Center on Children and the Law has designated June as National Reunification month.

Celebrations are held across the country. Research has shown that children who are raised by their families have the best

long-term outcomes; therefore, we have a true motivation to return children home as quickly as it is safe to do so. For many families, this is not an easy process.

However, when a child is returned home, it is cause for celebration. Cass County held its third annual Reunification Day Celebration on June 12, 2019

at Arthur Dodd Memorial Park. Chief Judge Susan L. Dobrich organized a cookout to honor Cass County’s “Reunification Heroes”—families who have worked hard to alleviate the problems which brought their children into care and the many

professionals who provide support to families so that children can be safely returned home from foster care.

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CASS COUNTY COURTS NEW WEBSITE

The Cass County Courts have been working on a new website for all the Courts and

the Friend of the Court. In Spring 2019, the Cass County Friend of the Court’s portion of the new website

went live. The website has a whole new look and is much more user friendly. You can visit the Friend of the Court at: https://casscourtsmi.org/foc/

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In Summer 2019, the Cass County Probate Court’s portion of the new website went live. You can visit Probate Court’s website at: https://casscourtsmi.org/probate-court/

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IT SECURITY AUDIT, JULY 2019

Because of funding received from Title IV-D, the Cass County Friend of the Court and the Child Support Division of the Prosecutor’s Office were required by their IV-D

contracts to participate in an independent IT security audit by September 30, 2019. The IT Security Audit evaluates compliance with the management, operational, and

technical controls required by the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement Security Agreement, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 1075, Department of Technology, Management and Budget Technical Policies, Standards, and

Procedures, and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Child Support security and confidentiality policies.

The audit must be conducted by an unbiased, independent entity. In Cass County, MGT was chosen to perform the IT Security Audit.

An MGT representative spent time onsite in Cass County and worked in

collaboration with the County IT Director, FOC Director, and Prosecutor’s Office Child Support Investigator to conduct the audit. MGT prepared a thirty-seven page report and concluded that Cass County passed the audit assessment.

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CASS, BERRIEN & ST. JOSEPH COUNTIES’ FEDERAL GRANT FUNDED TRAUMA TRAINING

Representatives from Cass, Berrien, & St. Joseph County - along with

representatives from multiple disciplines - Therapists, Peer Supports, Attorneys, and Judges - are now ready to go out and train our communities on how being trauma informed improves the criminal justice system. Thanks to SAMHSA’s Gains’

Center for this two-day grant-funded training.

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2019 RECOVERY FILM FESTIVAL

Cass County Courts partnered with Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network and

the Beckwith Theatre to kick off the 2019 Recovery Film Festival with the film, A New High. Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors recovery month to increase awareness and

understanding of substance use and mental health disorders.

The documentary movie, “A New High,” follows the progress of a diverse group of men and women in an addiction recovery program as they engage in one year of intense training to climb Mount Rainier. “This climbing thing, it gives them a chance

to write a new story—a story of success.” The film captures the challenges facing folks in active addiction as well as the ongoing challenges that remain even as

recovery is achieved. The facilitator of the climb tells of folks that have been lost along the way to overdose. For him, he sees the climb as the only choice for some of the participants. “It’s up the mountain, or it’s down into the grave.”

After the showing of “A New High,” Bob Weber, who oversees the Substance Use Disorder services at Woodlands, facilitated a question and answer/discussion

session about the movie. Pictured below are Chief Judge Dobrich, Bob Weber, Judge Herman and Dr. Barb Howes in attendance at the 2019 Recovery Film Festival

event. You can check out “A New High” on Netflix.

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100 YEAR FRIEND OF THE COURT CELEBRATION

In 1874, Animal Cruelty laws had to be used to protect children because there were

no child protection laws. In New York, after a 10 year old girl was severely beaten, the case was successfully prosecuted by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This led to the creation of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children

(SPCC) which began advocating for special courts to handle child abuse cases. In 1917, here in Michigan, the Wayne County Judges decided to tackle the problem

of parents who weren’t meeting their domestic and family obligations by appointing a “special prosecutor” – a “friend of the court” - who would bring to the court’s

attention a person’s failure to obey its decrees and to bring other actions to see that Wayne county children were properly cared for. Edward Pokorny was appointed to that position effective January 7, 1918. The experiment was a success.

As a result of Wayne County’s success, in 1919, Michigan Law created a Friend of the Court office in every county. The person serving as the “Friend” was a governor

appointee. The focus was on the welfare of children and ensuring a system to oversee that children were being cared for and supported. In 1982, Michigan law

changed making a “Friend” a Chief Judge appointee. Friends of the Court work as partners with the Michigan Office of Child Support in

Michigan’s IV-D program. The Friend of the Court Association (“FOCA”) provides a forum for Friends around the state of Michigan to train and discuss best practices.

Pictured below is Carol Bealor, Cass County’s “Friend” of the Court, and FOCA’s Vice President from 2017-2019 along with Sandy Erskine, Tuscola County’s

“Friend” of the Court, and FOCA’s President from 2017-2019 along with Erin Frisch, Michigan’s IV-D Director. Also pictured below is Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bridget Mary McCormick in July 2019 with the outgoing FOCA officers.

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Cass County celebrated the Friend of the Court’s 100 year anniversary with an open house on November 7, 2019 in Chief Judge Dobrich’s Courtroom. The Cass County Bar Association provided light refreshments.

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FOC FACTS FROM 100 YEAR CELEBRATION

Historical facts and details about the different services offered in the Friend of the

Court were highlighted at the Cass County FOC 100 Year Celebration Open House on poster boards FOC Staff worked hard to create and set up along the hallway outside of Chief Judge Dobrich’s Courtroom.

Here are a few of the “Did you Know” boards that were shared during the FOC’s 100 year celebration (feel free to stop by the FOC office to see all of the boards on

display):

Did You Know…

In 1874, Animal Cruelty laws had to be used to protect children - there were no child

protection laws.

Michigan was on the forefront of caring for children. In 1917, in Michigan, the Wayne

County judges appointed a special prosecutor, a Friend of the Court, who would prosecute

parents who were not properly caring for their families. The first Friend of the Court appointed in

Michigan was Edward Pokorny.

In 1919, the Michigan legislature passed legislation establishing a Friend of the Court office in

every Michigan county. Initially these Friends of the Court were special prosecutors—in the

1930’s they became governor appointees.

It wasn’t until 1975 – 55 years after Michigan took the lead – that the federal government

established the federal IV-D child support program.

In 1982, the Friend of the Court Act made major changes to the Friend of the Court law

including a change that Friends of the Court were now Chief Judge appointees.

Cass County’s current Chief Judge is the Honorable Susan L. Dobrich.

Cass County FOC #’s Today

• In 2019, the FOC has 3,550 open cases

• In FY 2019, the FOC collected and

disbursed $7,094,272

Cass County FOC #’s from the Past

• In 1991, the FOC had approximately

3,550 open cases

• In 1991, the FOC collected and

disbursed $4,359,265

CASS COUNTY FRIEND OF THE COURT DIRECTORS

Carol Montavon Bealor, J.D., 2013- present

Roland Fancher, J.D., 2006-2013 Donald P. Moroz, J.D., 1993-2006

Sharon Deja, J.D., 1991-1993

Bill Thistlethwaite, 1983-1990

Janet Kidman, 1981-1983

James P. Reagan, 1964-1981

Wayne Clark, 1961-1962 Linda Tolbert, 1944-1948

George Tolbert, 1941-1944

Edward J. Russey, 1940

Arthur K Nixon 1937-1938

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Did You Know… Title IV-D of the Social Security Act is a federal funding source for Child Support Programs across the country, including Michigan In Michigan, County FOC offices are reimbursed for 66% of spending

• to establish child support orders in

divorces and other privately filed domestic relations cases

• to enforce child support orders

• to review and modify child support orders

Title IV-D of the Social Security Act established a Federal/State Partnership for the primary purpose of enforcing child support obligations against non-custodial parents IV-D programs were created to be “Income-Transfer” programs

In the 1970’s, when the IV-D program was created, most child support recipients were mothers and most child support payers were fathers—a mechanism was needed to get money from fathers to mothers to benefit children

Cass County recoups $2 for every $3

spent on the FOC

At the federal level, the IV-D program is administered by the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), which is housed within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) In Michigan, the IV-D program is administered by the Office of Child Support (OCS), which is housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) In Michigan, OCS employs Support Specialists and partners with FOC and Prosecuting Attorney offices to deliver child support services throughout the state

OCS

OCS Support Specialists

(initiate “IV-D cases)

FOC Offices Prosecuting Establish/Enforce Attorney Offices Establish some cases (usually public assistance)

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CASS COUNTY MURALS BY ARTIST JOHN VANDYKE

Be sure to check out the artwork of John Van Dyke whose mural panels memorialize Cass County’s rich history including depictions of the Indians, Settlers,

the Underground Railroad, and the Orphan Train. The panels have been divided up and are now hanging in the two referee hearing

rooms in the Law & Courts Building.

The artwork was unveiled during the 2019 Adoption Day festivities. Many thanks to Artist John Van Dyke for these Cass County “treasures.”

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ADOPTION DAY 2019

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Cass County Courts celebrated Adoption Day. This day recognizes the many adoptions that occur in the state each year. The event

also educates the public about the adoption process and brings awareness of the need for foster families in our community.

This year, on November 26, 2019, the courthouse was transformed into a family friendly venue. The training room was filled with crafts and activities for children, balloons filled the courtroom, and The Adoption Bear (2.0) made an appearance.

The Circuit Courtroom was standing room only. The seats were filled with family, friends, court staff, adoption agency workers, attorneys, DHHS staff, local public

officials, law enforcement, volunteers from Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), and other community members. We also had special guest, Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Borello in attendance. Judge Susan L. Dobrich finalized

three adoptions during the event. She also recognized a family that had finalized earlier in the year.

This year, one of the adoptions that was finalized was for a child who is a member of the Pokagon Band. As part of the finalization, Kevin Daugherty, who is a member of

the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Traditions & Repatriation Committee, conducted traditional tribal ceremonies, including a blanket ceremony and smudging ceremony.

As part of the celebration, each family that was in attendance received their own

cake and family photos were taken by Blue Print Photography. The adoptees and their siblings were also given gifts that were purchased by funds from CASA. Following the event, CASA provided refreshments.

This was the 17th year that Cass County held an Adoption Day event. We look

forward to continuing the celebrations in the future.

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TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE 2019

Our staff from Cass County Probate Court, Cass County Family Court, and Cass

County Friend of the Court were all smiles after opting for "Toys for Tots" drive instead of an annual holiday gift exchange. Court staff were very generous. Toys overflowed the donation boxes.

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CASS COUNTY COURTS’ CONTACT INFORMATION

43rd Circuit Court

269-445-4412

43rd Circuit Court File Room

269-445-4416

Family/Juvenile Court

269-445-4444

Probate Court

269-445-4454

Friend of the Court

269-445-4436

4th District Court

269-445-4424