Juvenile Policy Board Minutes Heritage Center Bismarck, ND October 23, 2009
Present: Judge William Herauf, Chair Judge Doug Mattson Dave McGeary for Karen Kringlie Judge David Reich Dale Thompson Louis Hentzen, Staff
Absent: Justice Mary Muehlen Maring Judge Dan Narum
Minutes of the June 26, 2009 meeting were approved.
Discussed the status of the proposed Rules of Juvenile Procedure: at the Court for consideration
at this time. Louie Hentzen reported that Penny Miller was hoping to get this item on the
Administrative Conference agenda for the Supreme Court fairly soon so a decision can be made;
if passed, the rules can be included in the next edition of Rules of Court in March 2010.
Next topic for discussion was the lay GAL program. UND has decided, at least for now, to finish
out the current service agreement through June 30, 2010. A new RFP will be drafted and sent
out early in calendar year 2010.
Karen Kringlie gave the juvenile directors report: directors working on the new staffing study,
cross-unit audits, directors have a shared drive on the computer system, juvenile secretaries in
Fargo have received Odyssey training.
Louie Hentzen reported on the Annual Court Improvement Project meeting in Washington, D.C.,
and the Data Sharing Workshop in Chicago. The CIP meeting mainly focused on the new federal
regulations associated with the new fostering connections legislation. The Data Sharing
Workshop focused on courts and social service agencies sharing data electronically.
Louie Hentzen also reported on the third Summit on the Protection of Children. Main emphasis
was on the education system's role in child welfare.
The juvenile staffing study was the next topic. The National Center for State Courts is working
with the Administrative Office to provide an update on whether or not we are staffed adequately
across the state in our juvenile offices. Report is due in the summer 2010.
Discussion of developing a strategic plan for the juvenile courts in North Dakota was next on the
agenda. It was decided that the juvenile directors and Judge Herauf will work with Lee Ann
Barnhardt to develop a plan similar to the Education Commission Strategic Plan. That group
will submit their recommendation to the Policy Board.
Three members of the Policy Board have expiring terms at the end of the calendar year 2009. All
three have volunteered to serve another term. The appointing authority for each member will be
contacted to make new appointment.
Finally, 2010 meeting dates were discussed. Louie is to submit the list of dates to Judge Herauf
for selection.