https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/return-beyond-bench-conference-encourages-collaboration-support-children-families-and Return of Beyond the Bench Conference Encourages Collaboration to Support Children, Families, and Communities in California Karen.Datangel Tue, 12/09/2025 - 15:59 Feature About 1,000 judicial officers, court staff, attorneys, county agency representatives, tribal court leaders, and other professionals eager to learn and connect on issues related to juvenile law convened at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles Nov. 17-19 for the in-person return of Beyond the Bench. Hosted by the Judicial Council’s Center for Families, Children, and the Courts (CFCC), this year’s signature multidisciplinary conference devoted to children, youth, and families in the California court system was the first in-person event of its kind since 2019.  “After six transformative years, Beyond the Bench 2025 is more than a reunion—it’s a recommitment,” said Sarah Davis, director of the council's CFCC . “This conference has always been about connection—across disciplines, systems, and lived experiences. It’s in that spirit of collaboration that we move forward, united in our mission to build a more just and supportive future for every child and family.” This Year's Conference Focused on Collaboration, Sharing Information The theme of this year’s conference was Coming Together Again to Support Children, Families, and Communities, based on the need to improve collaboration within the broader child welfare system affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, staff turnover, and other factors. This year’s workshops highlighted the court partnerships, voices of lived experience, and topics impacting children and families involved in juvenile dependency and delinquency cases, including cross-over legal issues such as mental health and trauma-informed practice.  A preconference day held at the beginning of the week featured workshops on the new tier rate structure for foster youth (going into effect in 2027), the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), best practices for juvenile dependency attorneys, specific issues relating to juvenile court judges, and stories from incarcerated youth and restorative justice practices. The preconference event also included an all-day convening of court professionals, judicial officers, and state and local stakeholders involved in the Community, Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act.  Plenary Sessions Highlight Insights From Neuroscience, Lived Experience The opening plenary featured welcome remarks from the Judicial Council’s Administrative Director Shelley Curran, California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Secretary Kim Johnson, and Los Angeles Superior Court Executive Officer David Slayton. In her remarks, Curran emphasized the importance of the council and courts’ collaborations with state and county partners along with the judicial branch’s partnership with the legislative and executive branches of government.  Judicial Council Administrative Director Shelley Curran delivers remarks at Beyond the Bench 2025's opening plenary.   “The council has focused on giving our state agency partners voices in this conference to help us understand the needs of families and how we collaborate on improving safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes in juvenile proceedings,” said Curran.  Featured speaker Dr. Adriana Galván, dean of undergraduate education and professor of psychology at UCLA, shared neuroscience-based insights on the adolescent brain and its implications for juvenile courts.  The second day’s morning plenary featured a conversation with expert, author, and foster dad Peter Mutabazi and Orange County Presiding Judge Maria Hernandez. Presiding Judge Hernandez asked Mutabazi about being a foster dad, best practices for transitioning foster children back into their homes, and maintaining good relationships with biological parents. He emphasized it takes a village to raise a child, citing that legal professionals and social workers have a part in foster situations.  The closing plenary opened with recorded remarks by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. Chief Justice Guerrero thanked all participants and encouraged them to remain “committed to collaboration and to our shared goal of building justice and social systems that are rooted in dignity, and support for all children, youth, families, and individuals in our state.” The Chief Justice’s remarks segued into the featured speaker Ali Hall’s presentation about cultivating hope. Hall, an attorney and expert in motivational interviewing, shared heartfelt videos and encouraged small group discussions and solo reflections for attendees to think and talk about how they can care for themselves as they care for others.  Prioritizing Kin-First Culture in California  Kin-first care is a system that prioritizes placing children with their extended family network in permanency and adoption matters. The council and the courts prioritize kin-first culture in partnership with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).     Attendees learned more about kin-first culture in a popular panel session featuring perspectives from four counties. Judge Roger Chan, presiding judge of the juvenile court in the San Francisco Superior Court, led the "Promoting a Kin-First Culture" session, which featured insights from Bob Friend, director of the National Institute for Permanent Family Connectedness (NIPFC); Erin Thuston, permanency policy bureau chief of CDSS; and judicial officers and county agency representatives from Kern, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa Cruz. Each county shared their unique demographics, challenges, and partnerships in their respective child welfare systems.  “Thriving kin-first culture looks like a child and family team,” said Friend. “They can decide who needs to be [at the hearings], who has influence, who has the shared agreement. Do they feel like they matter and can they participate?”  Focus on CARE Act  The CARE Act is a pathway to deliver mental health treatment and support services to the most vulnerable Californians. The law establishes a new, non-criminal process that authorizes certain people—such as family members or first responders—to petition a civil court for treatment and services for those with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, which as of Jan 1, 2026, will include bipolar I disorder with psychotic features.   The preconference CARE Act convening brought together courts and agencies to reflect on the one-year mark since full implementation. Representatives from each county—including the courts in those counties—sat together at their own tables. They discussed highlights and areas for improvement and collaboration, and shared out with the wider group. Sessions included remarks from the council’s Chief Operating Officer Salena Chow as well as state medical and psychiatric experts. The sessions also featured best practices on intra-court referrals and clarifying roles within the CARE Act process. In a breakout session during the main conference, judicial officers from El Dorado, Calaveras, and Alameda Counties talked about the intersection of the CARE Act with juvenile law. All the panelists spoke about how the CARE Act process has been positively received in their counties. Alameda County in particular has received a strong response amongst younger participants.  The judicial officers from El Dorado and Alameda also joined judicial officers from Los Angeles and Glenn Counties at a CARE Act working group meeting hosted by California Health and Human Services (CalHHS), where they shared their processes, challenges, and success stories.  About the Judicial Council’s Center for Families, Children, and the Courts  The council's Center for Families, Children, and the Courts (CFCC) is dedicated to improving the quality of justice and services to meet the diverse needs of children, youth, and families. To that end, CFCC develops and provides education for multidisciplinary audiences, including judges, court staff, attorneys, social workers, probation officers and self-represented litigants. View additional photos from Beyond the Bench 2025 below. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/celebrating-forever-families-across-state Celebrating Forever Families Across the Stateelaine.chan Mon, 11/03/2025 - 16:17 Feature Courtrooms across the state will take on a new role throughout November—as places of joy, connection, and new beginnings. To celebrate Court Adoption and Permanency Month, they’ll welcome children and families with food, face painting, action figures, family-centered activities, and other festive touches. Court Adoption and Permanency Month The Judicial Council has declared November to be Court Adoption and Permanency Month. As chair of the council, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero signed a resolution to officially launch the celebration. Many individual California courts have dedicated specific adoption days in November, including Adoption Fridays and Adoption Saturdays, as well as other events to ensure that adoptions are completed and finalized in a timely manner. This year, the Judicial Council is highlighting the importance of kinship care, as children with a first placement with relatives or extended family members are three times as likely to remain in that first placement after 12 months. “As a judicial officer, Court Adoption and Permanency Month is an opportunity to celebrate caregivers who have committed to loving and caring for children who were unable to return to their parents,” said Justice Tari Cody, co-chair of the council’s Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee. “It takes a village to find a child a permanent home and provide a safe supportive environment.” This Year's Local Court Adoption Events Courts will coordinate with county social service agencies, local nonprofit agencies, and other service organizations to organize the following celebratory events:   Judicial Council Supports Adoption and Permanency for California’s Youth The council first declared November to be Court Adoption and Permanency Month in California in 1999. Since that first observance, the council has demonstrated its commitment to support the juvenile courts and their local justice partners by promoting procedures and collaborative practices that lead to timely case resolution and permanency for children and youth in foster care. Permanency is a child’s exit from foster care and safe return to the family home (reunification), adoption, or legal guardianship. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/numbers-show-benefits-when-children-adopted-extended-family-members Numbers Show the Benefits When Children Adopted by Extended Family MembersCorren, Blaine Fri, 10/24/2025 - 12:17 News Release VIDEOCONFERENCE—The Judicial Council at its October 24 business meeting heard a report that a “kin-first culture”—a system that prioritizes placing children with their extended family network—results in fewer behavioral health problems, less placement disruption, and requires fewer mental health services than a nonrelative placement. “Foster homes are ready, willing, and able to take in children who need care,” said Justice Tari Cody, cochair of the council’s Family and Juvenile Law Advisory Committee. “But that often involves placing them with strangers. We’ve realized we need to focus on reducing trauma, and based on data and research, we can do that by placing children with family.” For example, the report showed: Children who are first placed with relatives or extended family members are three times as likely to remain there after 12 months   70% of youth placed with relatives are also with their entire sibling set, compared to 44% of youth placed with nonrelatives   Youth who are with a relative at the time they exit from foster care are also less likely to reenter care within 12 months The council also heard from two former foster youth who, informed by their own experiences in care, made the decision to adopt a family member’s child. Council members heard about their journey through the adoptive process and the importance of having a forever family. “Our daughter will grow up knowing where she belongs,” said Claudia, one of the adoptive parents who shared their stories at the council meeting. “She will never have to question if she’s wanted, if she’s loved, or if she has a home. And that’s what permanency is really about—giving children what every single one of us deserves, a family that’s not temporary.” In addition, the council proclaimed November to be Court Adoption and Permanency Month. The acknowledgement highlights the importance of permanency and the council’s efforts to improve the court adoption process, which include: Providing education and technical assistance   Support and oversight of the 11,000 active Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers providing services to 13,000 children and youth statewide   Expansion of resources for court-appointed counsel for children in foster care and their parents Watch New and Revised Court Rules and FormsThe council approved 281 new and revised court rules and forms in the areas of civil, criminal, juvenile, family law, conservatorships, unlawful detainer, protective orders, appellate procedures, and access and fairness. The revisions help conform to recent changes in the law and increase the efficiency of the court process. “The proposals represent the work of 10 separate advisory committees,” said Judge Tamara Wood, vice-chair of the council’s Rules Committee. “The proposals received approximately 300 comments from internal and external stakeholders. All comments are carefully considered by the advisory committees as they refine the proposals to prepare the materials for the council.” For example, new forms will make it easier for courts to collect information about whether a person subject to a restraining order has firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition. For each item listed, the forms allow the court to record whether the restrained person submitted proof that they complied with a relinquishment order, and if not, the form facilitates notification of law enforcement and the prosecutor. In addition, a new rule of court implements legislation that requires superior courts to allow anyone participating in court proceedings a reasonable amount of break time to express breast milk for an infant, and another rule authorizes remote participation by judges and litigants in appellate division oral argument. Watch Other Items on Council Meeting Agenda: Funding for CARE Act Legal Representation: The council approved CARE Act funding for the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission of the State Bar of California so it can distribute it to qualified legal services projects and public defender offices to provide legal counsel for representation in CARE Act proceedings, as well as training and technical assistance to these legal providers. Increased Funding for Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Program: The council approved additional funding to current Shriver projects to expand and sustain legal representation and court services for low-income litigants involved in housing and other civil cases. New and Revised Criminal Jury Instructions: The council approved for publication new and revised criminal jury instructions to keep the instructions current with statutory and case authority. The complete meeting agenda and council reports are posted to the California Courts Meeting Information Center—an archived webcast of today’s meeting will be posted to the center as soon as it is available. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/25-years-tradition-court-adoption-and-permanency-month 25 Years of Tradition—Court Adoption and Permanency Monthelaine.chan Fri, 11/01/2024 - 13:33 Feature This November, the public will witness happy tears, cheers, and beaming smiles from children and parents of newly formed or reunited families in California courtrooms as the state recognizes Court Adoption and Permanency Month. During this annual event, courts throughout the state will open their doors to finalize and celebrate adoptions from foster care. Kicking off Court Adoption and Permanency MonthThe Judicial Council first declared November to be Court Adoption and Permanency Month in 1999. Per tradition, Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero again signed a resolution, officially kicking off the celebration. “In the child welfare system, permanency is the goal of establishing a stable, permanent living situation for a child,” said Judge Monica Wiley, who supervised the San Francisco Unified Family Court. “The juvenile court process aims to achieve this goal by placing a child in a loving, committed relationship that will last a lifetime. For judicial officers, the ability to be an important part of creating a forever family can be one of the highlights of our careers.” For this 25th anniversary, the Judicial Council is highlighting the importance of permanency for older youth, as only 20% of youth aged 16 to 17 exited to permanency within a year in 2023. Courts statewide will also be coordinating with county social service agencies, local nonprofit agencies, and other service organizations to organize celebratory events throughout November: Collaborative Efforts in Improving Adoption and Permanency The Judicial Council has been teaming up with the superior courts and partners in child welfare to improve permanency for the last 25 years. Collaborative efforts include: A focus by the juvenile court bench on timeliness of case processes leading to permanent homes for children in foster care  Extensive education, technical assistance, and engagement of the Judicial Council Tribal Court–State Court Forum on the implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act Support and oversight of the 11,000 active court-appointed special advocates (CASAs) providing volunteer services to 13,000 children and youth statewide, including administering the Legislature’s $60 million CASA Expansion Program Expansion of resources for court-appointed counsel for children in foster care and their parents, including accessing $66 million in federal funding to supplement the $187 million provided through the state budget Positive Progress in California According to the data provided by University of California, Berkeley’s California Child Welfare Indicators Project, more than 400,000 children are involved in abuse and neglect reports each year. The below table shows an improvement for the past 25 years in ensuring children live in safe and permanent homes:   Data from 1999 Data from 2023 Percentage Change Number of children entering foster care for the first time 28,500 14,000 -51% Number of children living apart from their families in child welfare-supervised, out-of-home care 105,406 44,000 -58%   Judge Roger Chan, who supervises and presides over the San Francisco Juvenile Court, expressed that California can further improve its adoption and permanency effort by encouraging relatives to get involved early. “California needs more families to open their homes to children who cannot be returned to their parents. These families need to receive sufficient support to meet the needs of children who have experienced trauma.” Judge Chan also believes less people are drawn to social work and behavioral healthcare. “There is an extreme shortage of social workers and clinicians working in the public and nonprofit agencies. The foster care system has long been overburdened, including judicial and legal resources. We must continue to collectively prioritize these young people and give them the best that we have to offer.” About National Adoption DayNational Adoption Day is a collective, grassroots effort to raise awareness of the more than 108,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care in the United States. A coalition of national partners—the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Alliance for Children’s Rights and Children’s Action Network—launched National Adoption Day in 1999. National Adoption Day has recognized more than 85,000 children moving from foster care to a permanent family. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-native-american-day-highlights-support-states-native-communities California Native American Day Highlights Support for State's Native CommunitiesKaren.Datangel Thu, 09/26/2024 - 13:50 Feature This Friday, California courts will close in observance of the California Native American Day state holiday. But courts are also taking the opportunity to recognize Native American people and celebrate their history in the state. San Bernardino Court Honors Tribal Communities  In 2021, Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland), the first Native American to serve in the state legislature, authored AB 855 to amend the Code of Civil Procedure to recognize California Native American Day on the fourth Friday of September as a judicial holiday. The Judicial Council-sponsored bill was passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom to take effect the next year. This week, Assemblymember Ramos took part in a California Native American Day celebration outside of the Superior Court of San Bernardino County, where cultural performers took part in traditional song and dance. ABC7 featured the celebration and spoke with Ramos and Judge Lisa Rogan, presiding judge for the Superior Court of San Bernardino County. "We are calling on other counties - superior court counties - to partner with tribal people from those areas to highlight the paid holiday of California's Native American Day," Ramos said. "All throughout San Bernardino County we have so much cultural awareness with our tribal family and to celebrate them as California's first people is extremely important to not only the employees but the people of our community," said Judge Rogan. Partnerships Between the State Court and Tribal Justice Systems Partnership Benefits Youth in San Diego CountyThe Intertribal Court of Southern California (“ICSC”) and the Superior Court of San Diego County collaborate to address the needs of Tribal youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. With the support of the superior court, the ICSC has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the District Attorney's Office and Probation Department to divert youth to the ICSC Tribal Youth Court, where peers serve as decision-makers to cultivate wellness-based responses. Additionally, because of the Tribal and state court partnership in San Diego, the county's probation department now has improved reporting in identifying Tribal youth. The collaboration started in 2021 and is led by Ana España, Presiding Juvenile Court Judge in the Superior Court of San Diego County, and Devon L. Lomayesva, Chief Judge of the Intertribal Court of Southern California. "The Tribes can inform the [state] court of culturally appropriate services that can be incorporated into a probation youth case plan," said Judge España. "By integrating culturally appropriate services, I believe there is more youth/family buy-in and it's more meaningful and relevant to the youth and family. And frankly, it’s just a matter of respect as well." "When youth in the system have that Tribal support, you're bringing in a component that they're familiar with, which improves their self-identity, helps them feel more grounded, and promotes their self-worth," said Chief Judge Lomayesva. "We're always going to be partners with our counties and if the youth can't be within their Tribal system, the services and settings should be culturally appropriate and be familiar with the Tribes they serve." Tribal Court-State Court Forum Formed in 2010, the Judicial Council's Tribal Court-State Court Forum improves the working relationship between California’s tribal and state courts and makes recommendations on matters where tribal and state courts overlap. The forum, made up of judges and members of both the tribal and state court communities, provides direction in areas such as: Jurisdictional issues Enforcement and recognition of protective orders and judgments Access to justice in Indian country in the areas of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and teen dating violence The forum also gathers data and develops resources relevant to Native American communities and tribal justice systems. In addition, the forum helps create rules, forms, and legislation relating to child support, guardianship, civil money judgments, and other areas involving state and tribal courts. At its September business meeting, the Judicial Council approved two new forms and revisions to four existing forms to clarify that the requirement to recognize and enforce child custody orders under the provisions of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act applies to custody orders issued by a tribal court. Tribal court judges report they have experienced problems having their child custody orders registered and enforced because the existing form refers only to out-of-state custody orders and does not reference tribal court orders. Judicial Council Offers Resources on Native American IssuesWith federal and state funding, the council maintains a Tribal/State Programs unit that provides legal services and technical assistance to local courts on inter-jurisdictional issues across all case types. That unit also assists with the development of policies, positions, and programs to ensure the highest quality of justice and service for California’s Native American communities. The unit provides staff to the council’s Tribal Court-State Court Forum and the California Child Welfare's CSEC Action Team, and develops resources to assist those involved in Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) proceedings understand their legal obligations under ICWA and comply with those requirements. The Tribal/State Programs Unit also worked on the Violence Against Women Education Project (VAWEP), an initiative designed to provide tribal and state courts with information, supplies, technical assistance, educational materials, and programs on the role of the courts in responding to cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and human trafficking. Read more about Tribal Communities in California.  https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-courts-formalize-hundreds-adoptions-over-court-adoption-and-permanency-month California Courts Formalize Hundreds of Adoptions Over Court Adoption and Permanency MonthKaren.Datangel Thu, 12/07/2023 - 10:00 Feature Joyful families filled California courthouses in November as hundreds of adoptions of children in foster care were finalized during Court Adoption and Permanency Month. Events took place throughout the state, with many taking place on and around National Adoption Day on Nov. 18. Chief Justice Guerrero Celebrates Adoptions in the Birthplace of Adoption Saturday At the Los Angeles Superior Court, California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero joined judges, court staff, pro bono attorneys, and representatives from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to celebrate the adoption of 232 children. Los Angeles County was the first county to celebrate “Adoption Saturday” in 1998 in response to the growing crisis of children and families waiting for their adoption paperwork to be finalized. “What you started here not only contributes to the well-being of hundreds of children and families taking part in adoption—but events like these also help put a spotlight on the critical need for safe, loving, and permanent homes for the thousands of children in foster care still waiting for their forever homes,” said Chief Justice Guerrero. “What makes it feel nice is that we have two of the best big sisters and two of the best parents,” 11-year-old Samantha told NBC4. Samantha was referring to her new adoptive parents Eddie and Victoria Ogaldez, who have two biological daughters and adopted three other foster children along with Samantha. The Ogaldez family’s adoptions were also featured on CBS Los Angeles and in global media through KameraOne. Los Angeles also holds additional adoption events outside the month of November. More Highlights From Celebrations Throughout the StateThe Santa Clara Superior Court finalized 23 adoptions for children ranging in age from 1 to 13 years old at its Adoption Day event. “Each adoption story is unique, and although children and families come to adoption through diverse paths, they all endure the process with open hearts,” said Presiding Judge Beth McGowen. “It takes patience, flexibility, and a willingness to learn as an adoptive parent and an adoptee. We are grateful for all those who play a role in finding permanency for children in need of a family.” To our adoptive parents and adoptees, your patience, flexibility, and eagerness to learn pave the way for lifelong connections. We extend our gratitude to all involved in providing children in need with a #ForeverFamily.#AdoptionDay Press Release: https://t.co/MFPTiHSAq2 pic.twitter.com/t11yrE9t5x — Santa Clara County Superior Court (@SCSCourt) November 20, 2023 Elsewhere, at the Sacramento Superior Court: Dozens of Sacramento Superior Court staff members were joined by community partners and judicial officers who volunteered their time over the weekend for Adoption Day 2023. This year, 34 adoptions were finalized during Adoption Day proceedings.#NationalAdoptionMonth pic.twitter.com/6OjXpvROu7 — Sacramento Superior Court (@SacramentoCourt) November 8, 2023 At the San Bernardino Superior Court and SB Co. Children & Family Svcs. 23rd annual adoption finalization day, Juvenile Court Supervising Judge Lynn Poncin congratulated families and supporting family members and friends before joining three other judges in special courtrooms to conclude the families' journeys to being forever families.   Judicial Council Acknowledges Court Adoption and Permanency Month At the Nov. 17 Judicial Council business meeting, Judge Amy Pellman talked about the importance of recognizing November as Court Adoption and Permanency Month (Watch)     At its November business meeting, the Judicial Council acknowledged Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero’s signing of a resolution proclaiming November as Court Adoption and Permanency Month. The resolution recognized the ongoing efforts of California’s juvenile courts and their justice partners to provide children and families with access to fair, understandable judicial proceedings leading to timely, well-informed, and just permanency outcomes. The resolution also noted that state laws require courts to ensure that social services exercise due diligence in locating and engaging relatives and extended family members as the preferential placement for children. The council also provides general information on its self-help website about the different ways to adopt someone in California. For some types of adoption, there are step-by-step instructions on how to complete the adoption process. California Foster Care and Adoption Statistics As of June 28, 2022: • 49,176 children are in out-of-home care • 15,386 children are waiting to be adopted • 6,242 foster care adoptions are finalized each year • Over 3,000 youth age out of foster care each year *Source: U.S. Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, state-by-state-AFCARS data