KidSide Newsletter September 2023
What Happens When a Domestic Relations Law Case Gets Transferred To Unified Children’s Court?
Written by Judge Marcia Caballero | mcaballero@jud11.flcourts.org
In 1991, the Florida Supreme Court recognized the importance of establishing a family court division and directed the circuits to develop local rules to coordinate family matters. Since then, the Supreme Court has taken additional steps to create a fully integrated and comprehensive approach to handling related cases involving children and families. In 2014, the Court created the Notice of Related Cases and determined that all related family cases involving the same family and/or children should be handled before one judge.
Our 11th Circuit has issued several Administrative Orders for the purpose of complying with the Supreme Court’s mandates and to provide the most comprehensive and efficient procedures to address family law matters for the community that we serve. Currently, we are following Administrative Order No. 17-8 which can be found on the 11th Judicial Circuit website. In summary, our judges preside over all family or domestic relations type cases that also have a related domestic violence injunction case. They also preside over all dependency cases, termination of parental rights (hereinafter TPR) cases and all delinquency cases whether they have a related family, domestic relations or domestic violence case or not. All judges presiding in Unified Children’s Court (hereinafter UCC) are cross trained in all these types of cases and receive trauma-informed training as well.
What to Expect When a Dependency Case is Unified With a Domestic Relations Case
Written by Jordan Abramowitz | Jordan@abramowitzandassociates.com
The purpose of this article is to inform and engage family court stakeholders on handling cases involving intimate partner violence. There is a considerable amount of literature that suggests that victims of intimate partner violence are at a disadvantage in family court for several reasons. Many articles have been written about how common strategies used re-victimize non-offending caregivers. While this can be true in some cases, this article is not meant to undermine the family court system and those that navigate it, but rather to present a perspective that leads to a shared framework and language promoting individual safety, healing, and well-being.
The World Health Organization defines intimate partner violence as “behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual, or psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors.”[1] This same source notes the median lifetime prevalence of physical abuse in the United States as 26%. Psychological abuse by contrast is much higher at 34%. These issues, however, are prevalent in over half of all divorce cases. To ensure the safety of all parties, it is necessary to all stakeholders to be properly trained and knowledgeable on these issues.
Havana Nights Nostalgia
Thank you to everyone who attended Havana Nights Nostalgia this week. It was a fabulous evening with all of our wonderful partners and friends as we honored Andi Steinacker with the Maxine Cohen Lando Award. Make sure to share your photos on social media and tag KidSide. Full photo album from the event coming soon!
Parent Testimonial
The testimonial below is from an anonymous patient who received therapy sessions paid for by KidSide:
Words will not begin to describe how well my therapy sessions went. The expertise and the affirmative communication I received was beyond my expectations.
I was able to voice my concerns and learn different tools to help me in my journey of becoming a better parent. The patience with me was handled very well as I am not one to have patience. I fully embraced this process, and I will be taking the tools I learned here with me throughout.
I would not only recommend seeking therapy for yourself (whether you are a parent or in need) but to overall gaining the knowledge one might need on a journey of self-discovery.
The therapist I worked with was very helpful and insightful. Again, I am going to be forever grateful for the time spent and learning the tools I gained in my therapy sessions.
Services Funded By KidSide This Year
Expanding Funded Services
KidSide has reached an agreement with the 11th Judicial Circuit to fund Social Investigations for families in need referred to Family Court Services. We are excited to expand the court ordered services we are able to fund and we look forward to increasing the impact KidSide can have in our community.
Welcome To Our Newest Partner
Welcome to our new KidSide bronze partners, Joshua R. Lopez and The Law Offices of Mirene Mairena, P.A. Thank you for choosing to support KidSide.
Become a KidSide Champion
Now is the time to register to be a KidSide Champion this Give Miami Day! Join our esteemed group of champions as we work to raise funds to help support families and children in need here in South Florida.
Committed Give Miami Day Champions
Thanks To Our Best Friends
Thank you to the Best Friends Amplifying Impact program we are able to fund free therapy to families in need. No child should be on a waiting list to see their parent or to receive counseling services due to financial difficulties. KidSide is funding the supervision of several skilled doctoral level psychology clinicians to provide these services. The Best Friends Amplifying Impact program provides recognition to those who donate annually to KidSide. Donations of any amount are appreciated and will help us to support the work of Amplifying Impact. For annual gifts of $2,500 and higher, please see our KidSide Partner Program.
Thank You KidSide Partner
Looking to make a splash in the community to start the new year? Join KidSide as a partner and get recognized in the KidSide newsletter and on social media, plus other fantastic benefits. Thank you to all of our existing partners for their continued support of KidSide.
Support the work of Family Court Services by donating to KidSide!
