LilMtnCbn
10-23-2003, 08:36 AM
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/state/hc-22143322.apds.m0897.bc
-ct--proboct22,0,7765368.story?coll=hc-headlines-local-wire
New regional pilot probate court for kids unveiled
Associated Press
October 22, 2003
HARTFORD, Conn. -- Criticized for not moving quickly enough to remove children
from dangerous situations, the state probate court system has set up a pilot
program to reduce its backlog.
State Probate Court Administrator James Lawlor announced Wednesday that a new
regional probate court for children's matters will be established in the New
Haven area. If the new court is successful during the next year, the program
could be replicated throughout Connecticut, he said.
Probate courts handle numerous guardianship and custody matters. Those include:
removing unfit parents as guardians of their children; hearing the claims of
paternity of unwed fathers; terminating the parental rights of parents who
cannot fulfill their parental responsibilities; and, granting adoptions.
A report released this week by a nationally recognized child-welfare
consultant, concluded that state probate courts are failing in their mission to
protect the state's children. There is so much backlog that judges cannot move
quickly enough to move children from danger, the report concluded.
The report by Casey Family Services found that probate courts are slow to
appoint appropriate adults as children's guardians. It recommended sweeping
reforms, including centralized children's courts like the one Lawlor announced
for the New Haven area.
"Today, what we're doing is announcing our corrective action," Lawlor said at a
morning news conference. "We believe the results of these efforts will bring us
to a brand new era in the treatment of children."
The children's court will serve New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, Milford,
Branford, North Branford, North Haven and Woodbridge. Lawlor said the judges
will receive special training. The new system also will acquire more resources
and help link families with appropriate services.
Lawlor said he hopes to help children at a younger age and ultimately divert
families from entering the child welfare system.
"With the benefit of additional resources and expertise, this new court will be
positioned to achieve these critical goals and empower families in the
process," Lawlor said.
Probate courts are funded entirely by the fees they collect. Lawlor said this
new court will cost about $100,000 a year to operate.
-ct--proboct22,0,7765368.story?coll=hc-headlines-local-wire
New regional pilot probate court for kids unveiled
Associated Press
October 22, 2003
HARTFORD, Conn. -- Criticized for not moving quickly enough to remove children
from dangerous situations, the state probate court system has set up a pilot
program to reduce its backlog.
State Probate Court Administrator James Lawlor announced Wednesday that a new
regional probate court for children's matters will be established in the New
Haven area. If the new court is successful during the next year, the program
could be replicated throughout Connecticut, he said.
Probate courts handle numerous guardianship and custody matters. Those include:
removing unfit parents as guardians of their children; hearing the claims of
paternity of unwed fathers; terminating the parental rights of parents who
cannot fulfill their parental responsibilities; and, granting adoptions.
A report released this week by a nationally recognized child-welfare
consultant, concluded that state probate courts are failing in their mission to
protect the state's children. There is so much backlog that judges cannot move
quickly enough to move children from danger, the report concluded.
The report by Casey Family Services found that probate courts are slow to
appoint appropriate adults as children's guardians. It recommended sweeping
reforms, including centralized children's courts like the one Lawlor announced
for the New Haven area.
"Today, what we're doing is announcing our corrective action," Lawlor said at a
morning news conference. "We believe the results of these efforts will bring us
to a brand new era in the treatment of children."
The children's court will serve New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, Milford,
Branford, North Branford, North Haven and Woodbridge. Lawlor said the judges
will receive special training. The new system also will acquire more resources
and help link families with appropriate services.
Lawlor said he hopes to help children at a younger age and ultimately divert
families from entering the child welfare system.
"With the benefit of additional resources and expertise, this new court will be
positioned to achieve these critical goals and empower families in the
process," Lawlor said.
Probate courts are funded entirely by the fees they collect. Lawlor said this
new court will cost about $100,000 a year to operate.
