From Brenda k. Uekert, Senior Research Associate, National Center for State Courts:
The Court Training and Improvements Program (Courts Program) was created by the Violence Against Women Act of 2005. The specific criteria that will be used to solicit proposals for the Courts Program is currently being considered by the appropriate federal entities. The National Center for State Courts seeks input from courts on your ongoing needs (e.g., domestic violence courts, training, hiring/retaining specialized staff) in the areas of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
We have the opportunity to help shape the solicitation that will introduce the Courts Program grants. We are particularly interested in the topics of domestic violence courts/dockets and training. We would like to hear from you about your current challenges and needs. What specific components of a grant program would help improve your court’s responses to the types of acts noted in the Violence Against Women Act?
To help us compile responses, we have created a very short online information collection tool. You should be able to complete the form in 5 minutes. We invite you to share your comments by clicking on the following link: www.ncsconline.org/SelectSurveyNET/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=l6L0672.
Please feel free to send this email request on to colleagues and related listservs. We thank you in advance for your help.