Moving Forward While the World is Standing Still

1. Moving Forward While the World is Standing Still Advancing The Court’s Self Help Program in Times of Economic Uncertainty

2. 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

3. 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

4. Court Administrators: Needs • Information • Assistance • Resources

5. Court Administrators: Values • Connections • Knowledge • Support • Efficiency • Progress • Accomplishments

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Self Help Staff: Needs • Information • Support • Ownership

11. Self Help Staff: Values Recognition • Catching the good • Personality matching • Backing them up • Sharing the perks

12. Self Help Staff: Values Communication • Positive meetings • “Staff Good News” • Training (or venting) • Backing up staff Learning Opportunities • Delegate creativity • Volunteer training

13. Self Help Staff: The Value of Bribery

14. Self-Represented Litigants: Values • Honesty • Respect • Understanding • Fairness

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

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