Family Court Facilitators in Colorado-part Ii

• Publication year: 2003
• Pages: 59
• Citation: Vol. 32 No. 1 Pg. 59

32 Colo.Law. 59 Colorado Lawyer 2003.

2003, January, Pg. 59. Family Court Facilitators In Colorado-Part II

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59

Vol. 32, No. 1, Pg. 59

The Colorado Lawyer
January 2003
Vol. 32, No. 1 [Page 59]

Specialty Law Columns
Family Law Newsletter
Family Court Facilitators In Colorado--Part II
by Pamela A Gagel, Carolyn McLean, Rebecca Stepien Moss

This column is sponsored by the CBA Family Law Section to provide information to family law practitioners. Articles are intended to focus on practice tips and discussions of current issues within the realm of family law. New column authors are welcomed

Column Editors

Gretchen Aultman, Denver, of Burns, Wall, Smith &amp Mueller, P.C. - (303) 830-7000, gaultman@bwsm.com; Marie Avery Moses, Lone Tree, an associate at Gutterman & Griffiths, P.C. - (303) 858-8090, marmoses@msn.com

About The Authors:

This month's article was written by Pamela A. Gagel, Family Issues Coordinator, State Court Administrator's Office - (303) 837-2323, pam.gagel@ judicial.state.co.us; Carolyn McLean, Family Court Facilitator (Juvenile) for the Twentieth Judicial District - (303) 441-4979; and Rebecca Stepien Moss, Family Court Facilitator (Domestic and Juvenile) for the Tenth Judicial District - (719) 583-7119.

Part II of this article describes the duties of and provides contact information for Family Court Facilitators in the twenty-two judicial districts of the state. Part I, published in the December 2002 issue, discussed the background and development of Family Court Facilitator positions and their general role in dependency and neglect and domestic cases.

Part I of this article discussed the background and development of the Family Court Facilitator ("FCF") position in Colorado.1 Part II provides specific job descriptions and contact information for FCFs in the state. The FCFs have designated how they can be contacted. Some are available by telephone only; others may be reached by telephone, fax, and e-mail.

1st Judicial District

Domestic

Loretta Koehler
Telephone: (303) 271-6105

The FCF conducts status conferences with pro se parties for Divisions V/7 and P/3. The FCF also conducts mediations for pro se parties both in pre- and post-decree cases where ordered by the judge or magistrate. Pro se parties may contact the FCF to set up appointments for assistance.

Juvenile

Amy Naes
Telephone: (303) 271-6186
Fax: (303) 271-6124
amy.naes@judicial.state.co.us

The FCF manages all dependency and neglect ("D&N") cases through review and a case-tracking database. The FCF conducts case management conferences in D&N cases to help resolve case issues, and serves as a liaison between the Department of Social Services, legal community, court-appointed special advocates ("CASAs"), respondent parents, county attorneys, service providers, and the court. In addition, the FCF coordinates the D&N mediation program.

2nd Judicial District

Domestic

Jennifer Cohen
Telephone: (720) 865-8371
jennifer.cohen@judicial.state.co.us

The FCF provides overall case management for domestic relations cases to ensure that they proceed through the court at an appropriate pace. She conducts status conferences to educate parties and counsel about court processes, expectations, and responsibilities related to simplified domestic case procedures. The FCF assists parties to identify and clarify issues in need of resolution and provides recommendations to assist in the timely resolution of these issues.

The FCF also coordinates information sharing among parties, attorneys, and other professionals and ensures that pertinent information is provided to the court for resolution. The FCF can assist with questions regarding case procedures, requests for forthwith conferences, or hearings. She also may act as a liaison to court clerks, staff, and other involved professionals.

Juvenile

Barbara Bosley
Telephone: (720) 865-8236
Fax: (720) 865-8270
barbara.bosley@judicial.state.co.us

The FCF in Denver Juvenile Court is responsible for coordinating the D&N mediation program. She has helped develop free continuing legal education ("CLE") presentations, which are given monthly in Denver Juvenile Court. Past topics have included adoption subsidies, rules of evidence, secondary traumatic stress, and special education law.

The FCF also arranges collaborative meetings with child welfare and judicial professionals. These discussions include development of a domestic violence protocol and resolution of issues in expedited permanency planning ("EPP") cases. The FCF facilitates communication between caseworkers and attorneys and follows up with selected court orders.

3rd Judicial District

Domestic

Bob Major
Telephone (Huerfano County):
(719) 738-1040
Telephone (Las Animas County):
(719) 846-3316

The FCF works with domestic relations cases and juvenile cases that are related to the domestic relations cases. The FCF works eight hours per week in Huerfano County (Monday afternoons and Thursday mornings). The FCF reviews each file to determine that documents are completed correctly and timely. He also conducts mandatory status conferences for pro se parties to clarify issues and educate parties as to court procedures.

The FCF works twelve hours per week in Las Animas County (Tuesday afternoons and Fridays). The FCF reviews files for timeliness, attends pro se hearings, and drafts orders.

4th Judicial District

Domestic

Nicolle Rugh
Telephone: (719) 448-7570

The FCF for Divorce With Dignity ("DWD") is responsible for monitoring the progress of all DWD cases This includes checking for new cases, service status, final...