NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2018 
April 2018 Newsletter Headlines
Employee Highlight of the Month
Congrats!
April - Employee Highlight 
of the Month
Raeigen Evans - Family Division Referee
Family Juvenile


 
Referee Raeigen Evans has been employed with the Court for seven years. In her previous career, she was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.
 
Q. What is an enjoyable part of your job?
A. My work is an opportunity to motivate young people. I acknowledge that they have overcome adversities and are still standing. They are able to smile, although they have faced numerous challenges.
 
Q. What are some career highlights?
A. The S.T.A.N.D. Program. I had the opportunity to witness the growth and blossoming of the youth on the docket. When I was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, I was assigned to the S.T.A.N.D. docket and then I later became one of the S.T.A.N.D. Referees.
 
Q. What is your dream job?
A. Judge or a fiction author.
 
Q. What's a little known fact that you are willing to share?
A.   I ran two marathons. I completed the Chicago Marathon in 2013 and the Marine Corp Marathon in 2012. I've run lots of 10K races. I also enjoy being an inspirational speaker. I have spoken at Women's Day and Teen Court Programs. My message is as long as we are living, we always have a chance to make a brighter future.
 
  

Trauma Informed Training


Judges Frank Szymanski and Kathleen McCarthy, FAME, and our Referees attended Trauma Informed Training sponsored by Growth Works at PARC in Plymouth.



WAYNE ATTORNEY LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE (WALC)




Wayne Attorney Leadership Committee (WALC) conducted its first attorney training on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the Detroit Federal Reserve Building. Speakers included Chief Judge Robert J. Colombo, Jr.; Presiding Judge Virgil Smith; Presiding Judge Kathleen McCarthy; and Judge Frank Szymanski. This daylong training was well attended by over 160 lawyers. Attorneys received training on Kids-TALK, custody orders, and the future of the Juvenile Division of the court.
 

New Culinary Arts Center
In Detroit




On March 21, 2018, the Court came out to support the opening of a new culinary arts center on Woodward Ave. in Detroit in the North End. This new Center will help young people gain skills in a field that is growing in the City of Detroit, giving them the skills they need to take full advantage of these opportunities. As a partner in the community, the Court supports these efforts. The inspirational leader of this effort is the Rev. Dr. Holley of the Historic Little Rock Baptist Church.
 

Todd Gene Kidwell

March 31, 1969 - April 20, 2018
Todd Gene Kidwell, 49, of Chesterfield Township, Michigan, passed away Friday, April 20, 2018 at McLaren Flint Hospital in Flint, Michigan.
He was born March 31, 1969, in Kokomo, the son of Jack Kidwell and Sandi (Harter) Kidwell. On April 8, 1995, he married Sally Brigid McKenney, and she preceded him in death on May 4, 2009.
Todd is survived by his parents, both of Amboy, sons, Barry Andrew Kidwell and Benjamin Adam Kidwell, both of Chesterfield Township; sisters, LaChelle Dilcox of Ogbensburg, New York, and Tammy Dalton and husband, Jeff, of Moores Hill; paternal grandmother, Edna Kidwell of Kokomo; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He graduated from Kokomo High School in 1987, and received his bachelors' degree from Western Governor's University.
Todd was a member of the Christian Life Church, where he was the Children's Minister. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Todd was currently the deputy director of IT for the Wayne County Court System, and had worked in the court system for over 20 years.
He was a sports enthusiast and an avid fan of the Indianapolis Colts.
Todd loved his family and cherished the time he spent with them. He also leaves behind his dog, Barney.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Life Church, 24877 21 Mile Road, Macomb, MI 48042.
Online condolences may be shared with Todd's family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.



Yellow Stripes

                  

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Greetings,
 
National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day celebrate its 25th anniversary on Thursday, April 26, 2018.
 
This year's theme is SERVICE FORCE: Agents of "Positive" Change and the poster is of young superheroes. As Circuit Court Employees and Judges we can identify; we are the Superheroes of positive change as we uphold truth and justice every day of the year. We resolve disputes with the rule of law.
 
The superhero theme is also apropos as Chief Judge Colombo has recently announced that he will be hanging up his black robe (cape) and joining the legendary justice league of retirees at the end of the year. We will miss him and know that the Court is better because he has been an agent of positive change and inspired that change in us.
 
So as we celebrate Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, let's ensure that our children know the power of service and the hard work of the parents and colleagues to ensure the future is brighter for everyone.



Brunch for Bars

Administrators from the Third Circuit Court attended the Brunch for Bars sponsored by the State Bar of Michigan on Sunday, April 8, 2018 at the Fort Shelby Double Tree Hotel in Detroit. Kent Weichmann, (Friend of the Court) and Richard Smart (Juvenile), Deputy Court Administrators in the Family Division, were joined by Executive Court Administrator Zenell Brown. Various Infinity Bar Associations, Judges, Attorneys, and Administrators from the Court were present to receive information and training on the core values of diversity and inclusion. The goal of this gathering was to heighten awareness of the benefits of diversity and inclusion toward the goal of improving access to justice.  The Court's presence and participation is part of our goal of improving diversity.
DWMHA 2018 Annual Meeting



Chief Judge Colombo, Third Circuit Court Judges, and Administrators attended the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority's 2018 Annual Meeting in support of the 100 yr. old Clinic For Child Study and its commitment to provide mental health services for justice involved youths and their families. The Court was also able celebrate our new members of DWMHA Board of Directors who were sworn in by Chief Judge Pro Tem Timothy M. Kenny and to celebrate the retirement of Constance Rowley and recognition of law enforcement officers and citizens who save lives from opioid deaths.


Celebrated each March, National Professional Social Work Month is an opportunity for social workers across the country. Third Circuit Court employs Social Workers and other related professionals throughout the Court. Chief Judge Robert J. Colombo, Jr. turns the spotlight on the profession and highlights some of the important contributions they make to society.

Dr. Amorie Robinson is a contributing author to Black LGBT Health in the United States.  In the book Dr. Robinson explores Black LGBT and gender nonconforming youth in the Juvenile Justice System in the United States.  Dr. Robinson is a PhD fully licensed Psychologist and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this discussion.  She started at the Third Circuit Court's Clinic for Child Study in July 2005 and works in the Clinic Treatment Unit. Prior to that, she had also worked at the Third Circuit Court's Psychiatric Clinic in the Criminal Division. Dr. Robinson is well respected and acclaimed in the mental health community as the National Secretary of the Association of Black Psychologists and the winner of the Christine Ladd-Franklin Award by the Association of Women in Psychology 2018.  Dr. Amorie Robinson shares on her social media, "It is my intention to influence social justice into the direction of providing safety and positive health outcomes through making this unique and marginalized population of youth more visible and understood." Third Circuit Court applauds Dr. Robinson's accomplishments and her contribution to the well-being of children.

JMHC MATCP Presentation
 

 
The Third Circuit Court's Juvenile Mental Health Court (JMHC) received an invitation to present "Seven Challenges of a Juvenile Mental Health Court" at this year's Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals (MATCP) 18th annual conference. The conference, held at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan, attracted almost 1,000 attendees. Judge Joseph, Supervising Judge of JMHC; Deborah Nelson, Program Coordinator; Janeen Abdur-Rahman, JMHC Case Manager; and Dr. Lindsay Carr, Clinic Psychologist and Treatment Supervisor, conducted a panel presentation regarding seven of the most crucial challenges involved in running a Juvenile Mental Health Court. The challenges included Community vs. Residential Treatment; Implementing Effective Incentives/Sanctions; Addressing New Offenses; Establishing Pro-Social Activities; Intergenerational Mental Health; CPS Involvement for Abuse and Neglect, and Parental Engagement. The audience was engaged and asked pertinent questions. The presentation offered informative insight, as many of the attendees were planning a Juvenile Mental Health Court program or have already started a new program. The JMHC's first presentation was a success and we look forward to additional opportunities to share what we have learned.                   
 

The 15th Annual Images and 
Perceptions Diversity Conference



The 15th Annual Images and Perceptions Diversity Conference in Dearborn was promoted as "The Day of Diversity will engage the Arab, Latino, Asian, African, Jewish, Disabilities and LGBTQ communities in a pertinent discussion focused on the current environment in policing, racism, stereotypes, media, and the do's and don'ts of cultural etiquette."  The Third Circuit Court Staff was in attendance and Judge Kathleen McCarthy had the opportunity to serve as a panelist.  MSNBC Anchor Richard Lui, the Host of Early Today on NBC, opened the conference.

Court Administration Criminal Division Shout Out

The Criminal Court Administration Office is located in Suite 301 of the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice. The office is currently staffed by four full-time employees.
In addition to overseeing Criminal Court Operations, including Pretrial Services, Specialty Court Services, and Trial Court Services.; the staff maintains and conducts daily business with Wayne County Clerk's Office, Court Reporting Services, Jury Services, Wayne County Sheriff's Detail, Wayne County Building and Facilities team, and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. Court Administration provides a variety of services and performs many different tasks to support the Criminal Division and the public that it serves.
Each staff member plays an important part in helping to ensure success:
Tamela Aikens - Director of Criminal Court Services: Specialty Courts, Pretrial Services, Trial Court Services.
Kathryn Eckel - Program Management Analyst: LEIN Clearances; Security Awareness Training, Building and Facilities Services; and special projects.
Karen Smith - Administrative Assistant to DCA and Judicial Support Coordinator.
"May you continue to be proud of the work you do, the people you are, and the difference you make to the public you serve!"