Category Archives: guardianship
May 21, 2015 Longest-Serving District Court Judge To Pave Way For Implementation Of National Best-Practices For Guardianship Cases
The Eighth Judicial District Court Issued an Administrative Order today, to transfer the adult guardianship caseload to the longest-serving District Court Judge Dianne Steel, in department G of the Family Division. The Order coincides with a Petition issued today, by Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice James Hardesty, with the concurrence of Eighth District Chief Judge David Barker and Second District Chief Judge David Hardy, to consider the establishment of a commission to study the creation and administration of guardianships in Nevada courts. The proposed Guardianship Commission will examine policies and procedures currently used and provide recommendations, based on national best-practices, on how they can be improved.
“I am committed to the court’s goal to protect those impacted by intellectual disabilities and diseases associated with aging.“ said Judge Steel. “Through experience, I know how difficult these cases are for families, and I will work hard to ensure that the court is handling these cases in a manner in accordance with the laws established to protect families dealing with guardianship.”
Judge Steel’s career history includes more than 18 years on the bench, handling a variety of case types including guardianship. She has notable service on numerous committees and professional organizations and a long list of professional accomplishments including: a Juvenile Dependency Model Court , work on the One Family – One Judge initiative, the Donna’s House Visitation Exchange Program, the Judicial Studies Program, the Family Self-Help Center Project, the Coroner Visitation Program, the Youth Eagle Leadership Project, the Adults in Juvenile Delinquency Court handbook, the restructure of NRS Chapter 62 on Juvenile Delinquency and the promotion of the Jury Services-CASA Recruitment Program.
“Judge Steel’s depth of experience and knowledge of the guardianship process will be a tremendous asset as we build citizen trust and confidence in the guardianship process.” said Judge Barker. “We are moving quickly, in coordination with the Nevada Supreme Court, to take strategic action within fiscal realities, to get guardianship cases in line with national best-practices.”
The court examined the assignment of the guardianship caseload using a hearing master/judge model and communicated with state and nationally respected judicial experts and determined that such cases should be assigned to a single District Court judge. Department G’s existing caseload will be reassigned to and equitably distributed among all the remaining judicial departments that are assigned civil domestic cases in the Family Division. The transfers and assignments will take effect on June 1, 2015.
The Eighth Judicial District Court is taking action to implement best practices for guardianship cases as established by the National Association for Court Management. A guardianship hotline is available to take concerns and questions at 702-671-4614 and an email link is also available at guardianshipcompliance@clarkcountycourts.us for those who have concerns.
To view Administrative Order 15-06 visit http://www.clarkcountycourts.us/rules.html
Tags: Eighth Judicial District Court, guardianship, Judge David Barker, Judge Diane Steel
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May 13, 2015 District Court takes action to implement national best practices for guardianship cases – Hotline and email link established to communicate issues
The Eighth Judicial District Court is taking action to implement best practices for guardianship cases as established by the National Association for Court Management. District Court Chief Judge David Barker recently attended an open hearing regarding guardianship at the Clark County Commission. As the chief judge, he is entrusted with the responsibility to handle matters of concern with the court. “Our fundamental responsibility to is to promote citizens trust and confidence in the guardianship process.” said Judge Barker. “I told the County Commission that I wanted to listen and I did. I continue to listen and I have also taken immediate action including establishing a guardianship hotline at 702-671-4614 and an email link guardianshipcompliance@clarkcountycourts.us for those who have concerns. “ Judge Barker sat in on guardianship cases to get a firsthand look as court officers worked. “Sitting in on guardianship cases provided valuable insight,” said Judge Barker. “As part of the fact-finding, I also spoke with those who handle these cases.”
Other action has been taken including:
• Contacting the Second Judicial District Court Chief Judge David Hardy and Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice James Hardesty to form a high-level Guardianship Commission to review the issues and concerns expressed by the Clark County Commission.
• Contacting nationally recognized experts in guardianship for their expertise, insight and possible involvement with the commission.
• Review of significant correspondence regarding guardianship.
• Meeting with law enforcement and others in the executive branch with an eye toward cooperation that would be consistent with the judicial canons and responsive to community concerns.
• Requesting a guardianship compliance administrator and an investigator as steps to a wider strategy to address a number of important areas including:Formalizing a process for bringing complaints or concerns to the attention of the court. Implementation of a guardianship monitoring program. Promoting court/community collaboration. Developing and institutionalizing training programs for guardians and volunteers who are not professionals. Developing improved standardized procedures, forms and informational resources. Tracking and documenting the number of cases to determine and secure optimum staffing and resources.
The Guardianship Commission will examine policies and procedures currently used and provide recommendations, based on national best practices, on how they can be improved. The court appreciates the County Commission commitment to addressing this important concern and looks forward to their essential support to make the Guardianship Commission recommendations into reality. Adding a guardianship compliance administrator who is experienced in this case type will be a significant step to handling these challenges.
There are volunteer legal organizations in the community that work to assist with guardianship matters. “I ask that you support the community volunteers who are struggling but want to help,” said Judge Barker. “With calm deliberation we will allay the concerns and answer the questions asked regarding guardianship. Protecting those impacted by intellectual disabilities and diseases associated with aging is essential to the well-being of our families and community in Clark County. In cooperation with this commission, the judicial branch is actively addressing the guardianship issues raised and will pursue the best avenues and resources to develop solutions and improve the handling of guardianship cases.”
Tags: Clark County Family Court, Eighth Judicial District Court, guardianship, guardianship Clark County, Judge David Barker, Las Vegas Court, Las Vegas FAmily Court, Nevada Court
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