December 2022 Newsletter - Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan

Greetings all,


The season is here and it is time to celebrate, give thanks, and share the best that we have to give. Whatever your plans are, wherever you are going, we wish you a happy, peaceful, and safe holiday.

 

Thank you for your work, dedication, and commitment to all we serve in Wayne County. It is the hope this holiday season brings enormous happiness and peace to your life and the life of your loved ones. Take time to remember those less fortunate or someone that is struggling this season - Be the Light that they need!

 

We look forward to serving with you in 2023 and making a meaningful impact with the families we serve. Happy holidays!



Friend of the Court Welcomes

Two New Associate Attorneys



The Friend of the Court recently onboarded two new Associate Attorneys – Joseph Dobesh and Lee Ann Rutila.


Joe joins the Friend of the Court Legal Department as an Associate Attorney. He previously served as Deputy County Attorney in Hall County, Nebraska, where he was recognized by the Nebraska Supreme Court with the Excellence in Service to the Community Award for his work presiding in truancy hearings, and was later elected County Attorney in his hometown of Wahoo, Nebraska. Family brought Joe to Michigan and he recently welcomed his first child.


Lee Ann joins the Friend of the Court Legal Department as an Associate Attorney. She has been in solo practice for approximately the last 12 years. Her primary focus was in family law in the tri-county area. Prior to becoming an attorney, she worked as a police officer in the Traverse City area where she was raised. Lee Ann has a 29-year-old son who still lives up there.


26th Annual Summit of the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect

On December 1st and 2nd of 2022, Third Judicial Circuit Court was represented at the 26th Annual Summit of the Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. Those in attendance for the two-day conference held at the historic Fort Pontchartrain Detroit hotel were the following: Toielynn Smith, Deputy Court Administrator - Family Division-Juvenile; Chief Referee James Catchings, Family Division-Juvenile; Jennifer M. Howard, Forensic Family Clinician; K. Denise Gaston, Forensic Family Clinician; and Pal Brooks, Forensic Family Clinician (Family Assessment Services). Many counties across the state from the Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula were represented from jurists, social workers, psychologists, caseworkers, and many more from the helping professions.

 

The conference was comprised of various keynote speakers, vendors, and breakout sessions. The featured speakers were highly impressive, such as Shannon Cohen, Founder and CEO of Shannon Cohen, Inc. who opened the conference with encouraging words of wellness asking us “Are the Hope Dealers Alright? Wellness Strategies for Modern Day Difference Makers”; Debra Poole, PhD, Professor Emeritus at Central Michigan University, discussed with us “Michigan’s Interviewing Protocol: How the 5th Edition Gives Children and Interviewers A Voice”; James Hopper, PhD, a teaching associate in Psychology at Harvard Medical School, presented on “From Fight, Flight, Freeze to Survival Mode and Reflexes and Habits”; and finally, Hasan Davis, JD, ended the two day summit with an emotional presentation of his life reminding us all that WE are Hope Dealers and to remain encouraged because we are necessary.

 

The conference was a true delight. It was wonderful to be in person, although cautious with pandemic protocols, with colleagues from across the state who are in the trenches every day to service parents and children with the care and opportunities we all know they deserve. We look forward to attending next year.


Celebrating Adoption Day

The Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan celebrated Adoption Day on November 22, 2022. Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness of the more than 110,000 children in U.S. foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families.

 

Judge Christopher D. Dingell presided over the adoption of Kensington Jackson. Justice Richard H. Bernstein from the Michigan Supreme Court, Chief Judge Timothy M. Kenny, and Presiding Judge– Juvenile Division Edward J. Joseph attended and provided remarks.

 

This was the first Adoption Day that the staff of the Third Circuit Court of Michigan was able to participate in via Zoom.

 

The Court congratulates and thanks the Jackson Family for allowing us to celebrate their special day.

Congratulations

2022 NDC Certified Diversity Professionals!


CONGRATULATIONS to Tamela Aikens for successfully completing her DiversityFIRST Certification in 2022!! The DiversityFIRST Certification Program is a week-long intensive program, composed of company leaders from all over the U.S. With Tamela’s passion and her commitment throughout the week, she engaged in discussions, group activities, and passed the written exam to fulfill the requirements for certification. Tamela, thank you for your dedication to continuing your education in the D & I area! We look forward to your continued efforts to help the Court move along in its DEI efforts.

THE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION CALENDAR


The Third Circuit Court Diversity and Inclusion Team’s Mission: "We appreciate our common connection and respect our diverse and unique human experiences. We move forward as an inclusive organization as we provide accessible and equal justice."


The Court’s Diversity & Inclusion Team strives to ensure the values of its diverse bench, staff, and court users are acknowledged and reflected in our delivery of service as well as our work environment.


In that spirit, the team creates and shares a monthly list of various holidays and observations along with some celebration suggestions. We invite our work community and the community at large to contribute.


JANUARY 2023


Omisoka and New Year’s Day – January 1

Nat’l Spaghetti Day – January 4

Nat’l Bird Day – January 5

Epiphany Day – January 6

Orthodox Christmas Day – January 7

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day – January 9

Human Trafficking Awareness Day – January 11

Kiss a Ginger Day – January 12

Orthodox New Year – January 14

Martin Luther King Day – January 16

Religious Freedom Day – January 16

National Popcorn Day – January 19

National Pie Day – January 23

International Day of Education – January 24

National Spouses Day – January 26

Int’l Holocaust Remembrance Day – January 27

National Hot Chocolate Day – January 31


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