THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT
Newsletter 
November  2015
In This Issue


Serving Those Who Have Served
 
Third Circuit's Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) became a standalone court October 1, 2014. Previously, it operated under the Drug Court program as a separate track.  Since obtaining its own grant funding, the VTC program expanded and helps more veterans in need of services.  This program is so important because people who have served in the military can bring valuable skills and experiences into our community. 
 
The program serves veterans who show the need for mental health and/or substance abuse treatment.  The program is open to veteran defendants who have no violent criminal history and have not been dishonorably discharged from the military. 
 
Third Circuit's Veterans Treatment Court is led by Judge Deborah A. Thomas and Judge James A. Callahan.
 
The main focuses of VTC are to provide supervision, drug testing, and treatment in conjunction with supportive counseling with the hopes that participants will learn to lead a more productive, sober, and criminal free lives. 
 
VTC is currently accepting applications for veteran mentors.  Mentors are an integral piece to the success of our participants and our program.  Those interested in serving as a mentor may contact Program Coordinator John Marra at (313) 224-6316.




Veterans Court Coming to the Family Division of the 
Third Circuit Court
 
In October, Wayne County Friend of the Court and the Third Circuit Court launched a special Veterans Court in the Family Division.  It is still in the developmental stages.  Veteran Courts are more commonly operated in connection with criminal courts in various counties.   This new program will offer a unique opportunity to serve military veterans, as well as active-duty personnel with legal challenges in the family court system.  Referee Eric Gloudemans of the Wayne County Friend of the Court is looking forward to heading up this specialized docket designed to integrate the principles of some of the other special problem-solving courts such as drug court, mental health court, and Wayne County's POWER Court.  The mission statement of the program is toassist and support veterans and their families through a coordinated response based upon collaboration with veteran service agencies, community based services, and the court system. 
 
The goal of the program is to serve veterans facing legal challenges in the family court system, such as child support, custody, and parenting time, while simultaneously addressing other issues such as mental health disorders, addictions, lack of housing, and unemployment.  Another important facet of this program will be to refer veterans to service agencies in an effort to explore all benefits to which veterans may be entitled which can sometimes be a very daunting task.  Wayne County Friend of the Court and the Third Circuit Court look forward to the success of this much needed program.
 




Coat Donations Are Needed
 
The Court's Clothing Closet is housed at the Lincoln Hall of Justice located at 1025 E. Forest Bldg. B, Room 118.  Donations are accepted on Tuesdays - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
 
Currently donations of coats are needed for the upcoming winter season.  Please direct questions to Roland Smith, the CASA Director, at 313-833-3507.  This closet is open to everyone and no one will be turned away. 
 
All donations to Friends of CASA are tax deductible.
CASA

The Wayne County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is proud to announce that on November 4, 2015 eight new CASA volunteers were sworn in.  This year with our spring and fall training we have successfully recruited and trained sixteen new CASA advocates.  This brings our total volunteer advocates to 52.  Currently we are serving 46 families and over 175 children.  CASA volunteers are appointed by the Juvenile Jurists on extreme cases where an extra set of eyes and ears are needed to help bring cases closer to permanency.
 
"A CASA volunteer is a specially screened and trained individual who is appointed by the court to gather information, write reports, and make recommendations to the court in the best interests of the child(ren)."
 
Please help us welcome and congratulate the following new CASA volunteers:

        
           Spring 2015:            
Dolores Cecilia Archibald
Terry Edwards, Jr.  
Jennifer Lynn Hill     
David James Pizzimenti  
Loron Neshel Polk      
Dawn Colleen Vandosen     
Lenise Miller-Whitfield 
Maha Ezzeddine   

Fall 2015:
India Davis
Amera Hai
Heidi Hendricks
Jacqueline Russell
Jennifer Saad
Pamela Trammell-Gilliam 
Beth Verstraete   
Tia Williams



Assembly on "What To Do When Stopped by the Police" at Denby High School, Friday, October 30th. 



 
 

Online Jury  Questionnaires 
Are Available 


Like Us On Facebook
We are on Facebook and want to connect with people in the county through social media. Our weekly and monthly programs can now be viewed on our Facebook Fan Page.  

Search for - Third Judicial Circuit Court or just click on the "Join Us On Facebook" button above and like us.   We want to stay connected and current with the   communities  and citizens we represent. 
Greetings,

We are entering the season of giving thanks. Many activities highlighted in this month's newsletter focus on the unselfish and kind works of those who support the Court and community.  The CASA Volunteers were sworn in and the FOC Outreach Volunteers completed their biannual event at the Detroit Public Library.  Several parents will finalize adoptions at the Adoption Day Ceremony later this month.    These committed volunteers and loving parents represent the heart and soul of justice. Thank you to them, thank you to the Court staff, Court partners, and the public we serve.  

Happy Thanksgiving!
Chief Judge Robert J. Colombo, Jr is  pleased to announce that on November 4 th , 2015, Judge Adel Harb joined the Family Division - Domestic bench of Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan.
   
Judge Harb was the Magistrate of the 19 th District Court in Dearborn for the last five years.  He graduated from Western Michigan University in 1986 and Thomas Cooley Law School in 1990.
 
Judge Harb began his career as a Judicial Attorney in 54-A District Court.  And then opened his Law Office in Dearborn where he practiced in Civil, Criminal, and Family Court, and also served as Public Defender for the 19 th District Court.
 
He is married and is the proud father of three beautiful girls.
 
Please welcome Judge Adel A. Harb as the newest member of our distinguished bench.

Hon. Adel A. Harb
 
The volunteers at the October 10th Child Support Help Event served over 150 people. Thank you to the Salvation Army's William Booth Legal Aid Clinic, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, the Michigan Department of State, the Detroit Public Library, and the many private practicing attorneys and community partners who volunteered to make a difference!  See you at the next event in April 2016.








S.T.A.N.D

The Third Circuit Court's Supervised Treatment for Alcohol and Narcotic Dependency (S.T.A.N.D.) aims to eliminate juvenile's substance use and abuse and delinquent behavior.

Request for Proposals (RFP)

This RFP is issued to solicit proposals from interested and qualified contractors who wish to be considered as the provider for some or all of the services supporting the S.T.A.N.D. Program.   The Proposals must be received in the Executive Court Administrator's Office on or before November 30, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. EDT.




The Third Circuit Court's Juvenile Division is celebrating Adoption Day! Every year counties from across the State of Michigan hold events in November to both recognize recently completed adoptions, and to finalize new adoptions. This year's event will feature remarks from Michigan Supreme Court Justice David F. Viviano, finalization hearings for several pending adoptions, as well as informational booths sponsored by local adoption agencies where attendees can learn more about the adoption process, or becoming a licensed foster parent. 
 
The celebration will be held on November 24 th , 2015 at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center's 13 th Floor Auditorium (Two Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226) from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Visit Our 
Family Division-Juvenile
Website 


FREE CHILD SUPPORT HELP 
 
Focus Hope
Every 2nd Wednesday 
Child Support Representatives 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
Every 4th Wednesday Child Support 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Family Law and Expungement Representatives 1:30 pm to 3 pm only Focus: HOPE Machinist Training Institute (MTI) 1200 Oakman Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48238

**************

Walk In Friend of the Court Assistance
Friday, November 20, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The UAW Region 1A Local 174 (Detroit Office) 
Rory L. Gamble, Regional Director 
15140 Livernois 
Detroit, MI 48238 
(313) 864-7878

 

The Wayne County Friend of the Court is located at 645 Griswold, Detroit, MI 48226.  Parents may sign up for MiCase to get child support information online, https://micase.state.mi.us/ssoapp/login
 
If you need further assistance, the Wayne County Friend of the Court Call Center may be reached at 

(313) 224-5300.


 

Mental Health Website 

Promotes Community Inclusion 

 


Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority now has a quick way to access opportunities for education, individual growth, and connection to community service programs and activities. It includes participation of all three tri-county Community Mental Health agencies, Detroit Wayne, Oakland County and Macomb County.  

Visit   www.dwmha.com  to find the Wayne County events near you; look for the  Commonwealth  logo at the bottom of the page.


 



24 Hour Support 

 


Friend of the Court offers 24 hour access to your account through MiCase.  

Click the photo above to visit our website or visit  
www.MICASE.STATE.MI.US


Michigan Legal Help 
Self-Help Center 

The Michigan Legal Help Self-Help Center of Wayne County helps residents of Detroit and Wayne County who are unable to afford an attorney.   The Self-Help Center is now located in Smart Detroit, Suite 1300 of the Penobscot Building at 645 Griswold in Detroit.  
 
The Self-Help Center is now open Monday through Thursday from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.




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