Judge Kim Berkeley Clark Creating a Trauma Informed Court through Servant Leadership: The Role of the Judge Judge Kim Berkeley Clark

Servant Leadership The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead.

My Journey Getting Hooked on FGDM Culture Change Paradigm Shift Servant Leader

Why are they here? Abused & Neglected Children Removed TPR Hearing Domestic Violence Arrested & Accused Victim of Crime Divorce Custody Support

TRAUMA!!

On the Road to Becoming a Trauma-Informed Court through Servant Leadership: 10 Recommended Changes

Be Humble

RESPECT! Overarching theme: Promoting Dignity & Respect within the Family Division

“Too many people see leadership as the right to dominate rather than the responsibility to serve.”

Embrace Teamwork

Encourage

Set Examples

Begin & End With Strengths

Communicate Effectively

Speak Softly, but Carry a Big Stick

Get Off the Bench (or Out of the Office)!

Walk in Their Shoes… (But for the Grace of God)

TRAUMA AUDIT Allegheny County selected to be a Model Court through NCJFCJ Pre-survey of Stakeholders (200) Site Visit October of 2014

SITE VISIT Observation of Physical Facility Courtroom Observation Focus Groups & Interviews

Developing and implementing a trauma-specific policy and protocol RECOMMENDATIONS Developing and implementing a trauma-specific policy and protocol

Adopting a universal precautions model throughout the court system RECOMMENDATIONS Adopting a universal precautions model throughout the court system

RECOMMENDATIONS Identifying trauma-focused, evidence-based providers and community resources in Allegheny County

RECOMMENDATIONS Developing and implementing a written trauma-specific policy for employees faced with secondary trauma or “burnout.”

Developing and integrating a trauma screening tool RECOMMENDATIONS Developing and integrating a trauma screening tool

Providing a brief explanation of the purpose of the court hearing RECOMMENDATIONS Providing a brief explanation of the purpose of the court hearing

RECOMMENDATIONS Making an effort to schedule hearings and other court appearances at the convenience of families and children

Increasing security monitoring in the courthouse waiting areas RECOMMENDATIONS Increasing security monitoring in the courthouse waiting areas

Increasing safety measures in the courtrooms RECOMMENDATIONS Increasing safety measures in the courtrooms

RECOMMENDATIONS Increasing the security presence in the PFA waiting areas & Having separate check-in areas for plaintiffs and defendants in PFA cases

RECOMMENDATIONS Making the courthouse and certain courtrooms more child-friendly and family-friendly

RECOMMENDATIONS Providing training to all court stakeholders on cultural and implicit bias competency

RECOMMENDATIONS Implementing a court-wide signage and court forms renovation initiative

RECOMMENDATIONS Modifying courtroom doors and windows to reduce noise during court hearing

RECOMMENDATIONS Developing a policy and practice to reduce staff traffic during court hearings

RECOMMENDATIONS Designating attorney/client consultation rooms on each courthouse floor

WHAT WE’VE DONE Motivational Interviewing Training for Judges & Judicial Officers Exit Survey Training on Implicit Bias & Cultural Competence (ongoing) Changes in Website Changes in scheduling practices (ongoing)

WHAT WE’RE IMPLEMENTING Developing a policy and practice to reduce staff traffic during court hearings & signage for courtroom doors Mediation prior to adjudication Creating a video to explain the court process etc.

WHAT WE’RE IMPLEMENTING Major renovations to the PFA Department to increase safety and reduce trauma including: Separate check-in areas Private space for confidential communications with lawyers and advocates and to complete lethality assessments Play area/child-care area within the Unit Secure doors

WHAT WE’RE CONSIDERING Commendation letters & other rewards Therapy/comfort dogs

RESULTS (SO FAR) Peaceful Hearings Parties thank/compliment CWs & JPOs I get hugs People show up on time! Virtually no appeals: 2010—10; 2011—7; 2012—9; 2013—6; 2014—5; 2015—1 APPEAL!!

Servant Leader Are other’s highest priority needs being served? Do those served grow as persons? Do those served become healthier safer, more capable?

Who Benefits? Children & Families The Community Taxpayers

ME!!!!!

All are WELCOME!

“Caring for persons, the more able and the less able serving each other, is the rock upon which a good society is built. If a better society is to be built, one that is more just and more loving, one that provides greater creative opportunity for its people

then the most open course is to raise both the capacity to serve and the very performance as servant of existing major institutions by new regenerative forces operating within them." The Institution as Servant, Robert K. Greenleaf

Thank You!! It Has Been An Honor & A Privilege

The Paradoxes of Servant Leadership For a copy of this poem please go to the following website: decker.typepad.com/the-paradoxes-of-servant-leadership.html

Contact Judge Clark Judge Kim Berkeley Clark Family Law Center—Suite 5059 440 Ross Street Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (U.S.A.) 412 350-0269 kim.clark@alleghenycourts.us