Moving Forward While

the World is Standing StillAdvancing The Court’s Self Help

Program in Times of Economic Uncertainty

Presenters Diane Bras, Family Law Facilitator, Placer County

Superior Court Carla Khal, Family Law Facilitator, Tulare County

Superior Court Monica Mitchell, Supervising Attorney, Self Help

Services, San Bernardino Superior Court Lollie Roberts, Supervising Family Law Facilitator,

Sacrament Superior Court Fariba Soroosh, Supervising Attorney,

Self Help Center/Family Law Facilitator's Office, Santa Clara County Superior Court

Keys to Success

A successful Self Help Program has each of these elements: Strong Support from Court Administration Strong Support from Judicial Officers Highly Motivated Self Help Staff Positive Image among Self-Represented Litigants

Court Administrators: Needs

Information Assistance Resources

Court Administrators: Values Connections Knowledge Support Efficiency Progress Accomplishments

Judicial Officers: Needs

Information – “Who are you and what do you do?” Keep communication lines open Keep expectations realistic Make sure rotating bench officers are educated

about your services Meet often with assigned bench officers Make sure they encounter your “good” work daily

Judicial Officers: Needs

Resources – “What have you done for me lately?” Evaluate each courtroom to determine the

individual needs of that bench officer Distribute your assets wisely The only flexibility you control is your own Make sure bench officers are educated about

outside resources/referrals for litigants

Judicial Officers: Values

Efficiency – Make time to make them happy As demand increases, so must your creativity As resources dwindle, make sure your staff is

efficient and indispensable Respect – Be politely political

Know the personality of your bench officers Learn to educate the bench discreetly Train your staff not to offer opinions on bench

officers to patrons

Judicial Officers: Values

Organization – Constantly be consistent Never leave the bench wondering how you spend your day Seek judicial input on the organization of your staff time

and resources Avoid disruptions to services or unexpected changes to

schedules

Accomplishments – Be a positive reflection Promote the work of the entire division in the community When your work is recognized, share the credit

Self Help Staff: Needs

Information Support Ownership

Self Help Staff: Values

Recognition Catching the good Personality matching Backing them up Sharing the perks

Self Help Staff: Values

Communication Positive meetings “Staff Good News” Training (or venting) Backing up staff

Learning Opportunities Delegate creativity Volunteer training

Self Help Staff: The Value of Bribery

Self-Represented Litigants: Values Honesty Respect Understanding Fairness

Self-Represented Litigants: Success Consistency Reasonable Expectations Transparent Complexity Efficiency Set the Tone for Success

Closing Thoughts

Your Program Can Grow Stronger at Any Time If You Remember to Focus on the Essentials: Support Communication Innovation