The National Center for State Courts‘ Institute for Court Management is excited to announce the development of a new, innovative e-learning course designed to educate and inspire state and local court employees. This approximately 3-hour online self-study course is tailored primarily for new hires and aims to address a critical gap in understanding the essential role courts play in our civil society. Court leaders nationwide have emphasized that many new employees lack a clear grasp of the significance of their work, which can lead to job dissatisfaction and higher turnover rates. This course seeks to change that by establishing a baseline of knowledge for court staff across the country.
Through interactive modules, participants will explore the purpose of courts, the rights and responsibilities of citizens interacting with them, and how courts differ from other branches of government. The course will also highlight how every role within the courts contributes to their overall mission, fostering a sense of purpose and pride in public service.
Developed in consultation with court leaders and judicial educators nationwide, this free resource will be available to all state and local courts in early 2026. It will serve as an invaluable tool for onboarding and professional development, not only for court employees but also for staff in related roles, such as probation offices. By equipping employees with foundational knowledge and emphasizing the importance of their contributions, this course will enhance workforce effectiveness and strengthen public trust and confidence in the courts.
September 1, 2025
The Nebraska Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation has collaborated with local trial judges, attorneys, and court staff to pilot a court-based Self-Help Center in Douglas County (Omaha, Nebraska). The first of its kind in Nebraska, this self-help center is located in the courthouse and provides on-site access to computers, printers, and legal resources …
August 1, 2025
The National Center for State Courts, in cooperation with the ABA Commission on Law and Aging (COLA) and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) created technology and data standards for court case management systems for guardianship and conservatorship cases. Most case management systems are designed to track cases from filing to disposition. However, courts are …
July 1, 2025
What if families facing a crisis could receive support before entering the court system? In 2019, the National Center for State Courts received funding to identify promising practices in state and local courts that aim to prevent removal through non-adversarial collaborative team approaches and timely access to treatment and services. The Family Preservation Initiative (FPI) …
June 1, 2025
The Courts in Nevada have invested in the development of electronic systems to improve transparency, accessibility and efficiency of court processes. These investments have significantly reduced the time taken from initiating a case to its final disposition. Unlike most Court processes, guardianships commence at disposition and can last for decades, for example the guardianship of …
May 1, 2025
The National Center for State Courts announces the upcoming “Guide for Remote Dependency Hearings,” a comprehensive resource, funded by SJI, developed as an addendum to the Remote Proceeding Toolkit. Child abuse and neglect hearings require additional considerations for effective remote proceedings given their confidential nature and multiple participants. The Guide for Remote Dependency Hearings offers specialized …
April 1, 2025
In October 2024, the Pennsylvania Courts held a first-ever statewide Behavioral Health Summit that brought together over 500 judges, leaders, and stakeholders to address the growing behavioral health crisis within the judicial system. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty emphasized the increasing severity and frequency of behavioral health challenges and called the summit a “call …