A New Method of Assessing Judicial Workload in Juvenile Dependency Cases

• Published date: 01 March 2013
• Author: Steve Wood,Alicia Summers,Stephanie O. Macgill,Jesse R. Russell,Sophia I. Gatowski
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/jfcj.12005
• Date: 01 March 2013

A New Method of Assessing Judicial Workload

in Juvenile Dependency Cases

By Alicia Summers, Stephanie O. Macgill, Sophia I. Gatowski, Jesse R. Russell, and

Steve Wood

ABSTRACT

This article describes a new method for calculating judicial workload in depen-

dency or child abuse and neglect cases. In contrast to traditional judicial workload

methods, the method described herein produces estimates of judicial workload that

take into account the complex role of the juvenile dependency court judge—a role

that includes both on- and off-the-bench activities. The method provides workload

estimates that give guidance to courts not only about the minimally sufficient judicial

resources needed to accommodate current caseload needs, but also what level of

judicial resources would be required to hold substantive dependency court hearings

that comport with nationally recognized practice recommendations. The article

reviews commonly used judicial workload methods, outlines the new method, and

uses a pilot of the method as an example of how the method works in practice.

Broader implications of this workload method are also discussed.

Identifying factors that might contribute to delays in timely permanency for

abuse and neglect victims has been a focus of many juvenile dependency researchers

(e.g. Benedict & White, 1991; Courtney, 1994; Fernandez & Lee, 2011; Harris &

Courtney, 2003). This focus comes from not only an effort to identify ways to improve

outcomes for children and families, but also an interest in helping juvenile dependency

courts meet their federal requirements and state goals in this area. The Adoption and

Alicia Summers, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Associate at the National Council of Juvenile and

Family Court Judges. Correspondence: asummers@ncjfcj.org

Stephanie O. Macgill, M.P.A.,is a Research Associate at the National Council of Juvenile and Family

Court Judges.

Sophia I. Gatowski, Ph.D., is Director of Systems Change Solutions, Inc., in Vancouver, B.C.

Jesse R. Russell, Ph.D., is Director of Research-Midwest with the National Council on Crime and

Delinquency.

Steve Wood, M.S., is a Research Assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Acknowledgements: This research was conducted in partnership with the Washington Adminis-

trative Office of the Courts.

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Juvenile and Family Court Journal 64, no. 2 (Spring) 35

© 2013 National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges