March 2015Vol. 16, No. 2Strengthening Tribal-State Court Relationships
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) published a technical assistance brief that provides information on specific collaboration strategies for strengthening relationships between Tribal and State courts. The brief provides examples implemented by individuals, model courts, and specific States and identifies approaches from State and Tribal courts and Court Improvement Projects to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. Examples include the following:
- A partnership between the Honorable Patricia Clark (Ret.), King County Superior Court Judge, Seattle, WA, and the Honorable Theresa Pouley, Chief Judge of the Tulalip Tribe
- A California Tribal court/State court forum
- A partnership between the Charlotte Model Court in North Carolina and the Metrolina Native American Association
The brief asserts that while there is information on collaboration efforts between Tribal and State courts, there is still more to be done to strengthen partnerships and increase engagement in order to work together in harmony.
Tribal Engagement Strategies: Establishing and Sustaining Connections is available on the NCJFCJ website at http://www.ncjfcj.org/sites/default/files/tribal_engage_tab_final.pdf (393 KB).