Present: Judge Sonja Clapp Judge Todd Cresap Judge David Reich Connie Portscheller Dale Rivard Bob Rutten Scott Davis
Guests: Tracy Pakineau, intern with Scott Davis Merle Botone, ND Indian Affairs Commission
Absent: Dennis Herbeck Karen Kringlie Robin Huseby Tara Mulhauser
Staff: Louie Hentzen Lee Ann Barnhardt Catie Palsgraaf Lana Zimmerman, scribe
Judge Clapp called the meeting to order. A motion was made by Judge Reich to approve the
December 1, 2011, minutes. The motion was seconded by Connie Portscheller, motion
carried.
Grant Status Ms. Palsgraaf updated the committee on the grant proposals submitted to Glennda Lacey at ACF.
Ms. Lacey sent an email to Ms. Barnhardt requesting some modifications to further strengthen
the ND Court Improvement Plan.
Statement of Need: Under the Data Collection and Analysis it states that the Court exploring the sharing of data with
DHS. Please expand on what data will be shared with DHS and other stakeholders, how it will
be shared and at what frequency. It would also be helpful to include how the data and analysis is
anticipated to be used collaboratively with Children and Family Services in planning for their
CFSP and APSR. Implementation of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI): To strengthen CQI efforts, we would suggest court observations by the CIP in addition to the
proposed file review. It would be helpful to identify one or two training topics, establish a
baseline through structured interviews with court staff, and then follow up with observation in
court following the training to examine changes in practice related to the identified issue.
Meaningful, Ongoing Collaboration: Greater collaboration would be accomplished by adding representatives from the state
Department of Education, mental health/behavioral health and substance abuse provider
community, and foster care alumni to the CIP Multi disciplinary Task Force. (Does the State
Director for the Indian Affairs Commission speak for the state’s Tribal entities?)
It would be helpful to list the general membership of the CIP sub-committees. Also, how often
do all the subcommittees meet?
Attachment C - Matrix: Outcome #1: The outcome focus is on quality representation and timely reports to the court.
What will the CIP use as a measurable objective to improve “quality” representation? How will
the CIP share data from all activities with stakeholders?
Outcome #3: The needs section identifies an ICWA audit completed in 2010. What, if any, were
the basic concerns of the original audit and can those barriers or concerns be built into the design
the proposed audit? Will the ICWA project reviewer have the opportunity to observe court
hearings in addition to review of case files? Will the CIP develop a baseline following the audit?
How will the data be shared with all stakeholders?
After an extensive discussion with the CIP committee, Ms. Barnhardt has been directed to call
Ms. Lacey to discuss alternatives to her questions above.
Sub-Committee Reports
GAL Sub-Committee - Dennis Herbeck, Chair. This sub-committee has not met since the last
CIP meeting. The next meeting of the GAL Sub-Committee is April 12, 2012 in Grand Forks.
ICWA Sub-Committee - Connie Portscheller, Chair. The next meeting of the ICWA Sub-Committee is April 13, 2012. Ms. Portscheller reported a list will be presented to the CIP
committee on proposed questions for the ICWA audit.
Education Sub-Committee - Robin Huseby, Chair. Ms. Barnhardt reported on behalf of Ms.
Huseby. The Children’s Justice Symposium is scheduled July 24-26, 2012. Registration will be
distributed by May 1, 2012. Topics for this symposium include: educational stability, and
engaging families and non-custodial fathers. The symposium is funded by the CIP grant and is
co-sponsored by the Children and Family Services Department of the Department of Human
Services.
Data Collection Sub-Committee - Karen Kringlie, Chair. This Sub-Committee has met twice
since the last CIP meeting. January 26 & March 26, 2012. After reviewing report option in
Odyssey, there is a built-in report that can track the reasons or justifications behind continuances
granted in child deprivation or termination of parental rights cases, but in order for this report to
work, identifying and training staff on an agreed upon definition for “reset” hearings and
“continued” hearings, add some fields to the drop downs and ensure that the “modify hearing”
window in Odyssey is utilized.
Each Unit Representative on this Sub-Committee has gathered information from each county to
determine which employees are entering hearing resets or continuances into Odyssey. A chart of
those assigned to that task was developed.
The next tasks for this committee are to request some additions to the drop down fields in
Odyssey. Also, to establish the agreed upon protocol or communication method by which clerks
or those assigned to enter that continuance information into Odyssey receive that information
from those in the court room when continuances or resets happen informally. To train and select
a pilot county and review any available national standards in order to create a baseline for court
performance reporting.
The next meeting of the Data Collection Sub-Committee is April 30, 2012.
A motion was made by Judge Reich to adjourn the meeting. Judge Cresap seconded.
Meeting adjourned.