The Alaska Court System’s Family Law Self-Help Center:
An Investment in Education & Collaboration
Presented by
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Katherine Alteneder
Big, REALLY BIG!
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The Need
Small population spread over HUGE geographic area
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655,435 people living across 571,951 miles: 1.1 person per sq. mile Half the population “off the road system”
Significant Retention and Training Challenges for Rural Courts
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8 of 12 Superior Courts are “off the road system” More than 40 court locations overall
Complete lack of legal resources in most communities Majority of parties in family law cases are selfrepresented litigants (SRLs)
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75% of contested cases with at least one SRL 95% of uncontested case with at least one SRL
Philosophy Behind The Solution
Uniform Statewide Access Neutral & Impartial Legal Information Focus on Education & Collaboration Serve the Judiciary
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The Model
Statewide Centralized Model for all SRLs in DR cases
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Toll Free Telephonic Helpline Comprehensive easy-to-use web site
Telephone & internet access widespread Simplified forms with instructions and law included
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Workshops & Classes in population hubs
Leverage partnerships: train other service providers Promote staff and local court communication
Resource for rural clerk’s Staff knowledge of local practices Opportunity to streamline procedures
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Management & Staffing
Project Director -- shared by 2 attorneys 5 Facilitators -- non-attorney clerks Advisory Committee
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Judges; court administrators and clerks; private, government and non-profit attorneys; child support agency
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Who We Serve:
Court’s Perspective -- Statewide Customer’s Perspective -- Worldwide
4,500 people on the Helpline; 50,000 web hits
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There are approximately 4,600 domestic relations cases filed annually.
Approximately 65% of customers are LSC eligible
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Only 10% of customers report incomes above $3000/month.
Geographic distribution of customers mirrors geographic distribution of case filings. Ethnic breakdown mirrors census numbers:
White: 67.6% Black: 3.5% Hispanic: 4.1% Native: 15.6% Asian/Pacific Islander: 4.5% Other: 4.7%
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Special Populations
Domestic Violence
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Communication & coordination with DV community; staff receive training on the dynamics of domestic violence Being aware of assistive technologies & using technology effectively
Hearing & Vision Impaired
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International Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Military
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Communication & coordination with base services and JAG offices Communication & coordination with tribes, ICWA workers; staff receive basic Indian law & cultural training
Native Prisoners
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Challenges
Literacy & Culture Completing Forms Appropriate Self-Representation Finishing the Case & Enforcement Staffing & Training for Distance Delivery Recruiting & Training Attorney Volunteers
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Staff Burnout & Quality Control
Training: a little shot in the arm Job Satisfaction & Quality Supervision
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Give them control Mix-up the day Special projects & field trips: outreach; research;
hearing observation; cross-training
Culture of Decency
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Data Collection: Do It!!!
Helps you
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manage staff grow program evaluate yourself give the community useful information
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Evaluation Tools: Do It!!!
For all the reasons above and in as many ways as possible
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on-line lectures & workshops mail-outs exit interviews
Design a helpful tool for you (it’s not cheating) TCRIC Tools
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