The Supreme Court of Ohio - Supreme Court - State of Ohio

Later on the first day, participants heard from national, state and local officials. Joan
Ohl, commissioner of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families for the U. S.
Department of Health and Human Services, opened the luncheon remarks. Helen Jones-
Kelley, former director of the Ohio Department of Jobs
& Family Services, followed with the state perspective,
and Judge David Basinski of the Lorain County Domestic
Relations/Juvenile Court closed with a local point of view.
Former Judge William Byars Jr., director of the South
Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, addressed the
dinner crowd, cautioning that the days or weeks a judge or
a children services worker spends on each case translate
into a perceived “eternity” in the eyes and mind of a child.
To end such emotional suffering of Ohio’s young children,
he related, officials must find a way to collaborate and
streamline government “red tape” to expedite children’s cases.
Participants at the Summit not only spent time listening to government officials and
children’s-issues experts, they also collaborated on local plans and helped identify state-level
Specialized Dockets Manager
Melissa A. Knopp (below,
center), along with several other
Supreme Court staff members,
acted as county team facilitators
during the two-day Summit.
barriers that could be removed. To help with planning,
the second Summit video, Voices of Ohio Communities,
offered further insight into local perspectives about the
various needs or barriers of local service providers. The
third video, Promising and Proven Approaches, highlighted
successful initiatives already established in Ohio
communities.
To wrap up the Summit, teams were charged with
furthering their collaborative efforts and developing
a county plan to address emerging or significant
issues in their communities that affect the well-being
of children and families. Governor Strickland, Chief
Justice Moyer and legislative leaders were on hand at the
conclusion to hear initial perceptions of what their next
steps should be.
Further, participants were charged
with developing a final county plan and
submitting it to the Supreme Court within
several months. Summit participants
were asked to commit to a more longterm
effort to bring successful change to
their communities by agreeing to attend
the second Ohio Summit on Children,
scheduled for November 2009. Participants
at that event will be asked to present
their county plans with others and share
information on programs or initiatives
finding success in their communities.
2008 Annual Report • The Supreme Court of Ohio
17
Clerk's division
Office of the Clerk
Case Mediation Section