| The following
services and programs are now available to the Circuit Court for Dorchester
County:
Custody/Visitation
Mediation
We are currently using mediators
in visitation and custody disputes. The Court has twelve (12) approved
certified mediators. Parties are referred for two, two hour sessions.
Co-parenting
Education Seminar
The Circuit Court for Dorchester
County provides the six (6) hour Co-Parenting Education Seminar entitled
"Healing Hearts." The facilitators were trained to conduct the seminar
by the Center for Children of Separation and Divorce. The court only orders
parents to attend where a contested answer has been filed and the minor
child(ren) are under the age of fifteen. There is a fee for the seminar
in the amount of $40.00 per party. Any party that cannot afford the fee
may ask the court for a fee waiver.
Psychiatric/Psychological
Evaluations
Psychiatric and psychological evaluations
have been ordered for minor child(ren) and adult(s) where mental stability
was in question or when conflict was extreme enough that the court felt
professional counseling was necessary. Psychiatric and psychological evaluations
are being conducted by independent psychiatrists and psychologist as well
as outpatient services through the local hospital. The Family Support Services
Coordinator monitors the files where evaluations are ordered. Correspondence
between the court and the evaluators is sent to make them aware of upcoming
court dates so that the court may receive the report in time for review
before the merits hearing.
Children's
Waiting Room
The Family Support Services Coordinator
purchased toys, puzzles, reading and coloring books, small tables and chairs,
building legos and a television and VCR for a children's waiting room.
The room to be utilized as the children's waiting room also needed to be
repainted. The children's waiting room will be open during the days when
civil domestic and paternity cases are being heard. The room is adjacent
to the courtroom. There is a bathroom attached to the children's waiting
room for convenience to the waiting parties and their children. While it
is not mandatory that waiting litigants use the children's waiting room,
it is strongly suggested so that small children are not required to be
quiet in the courtroom while court is in session. A parent or an adult
is required to be with the children at all times.
Counsel
for Minor Children
The Dorchester County Circuit Court
orders counsel for minor children in cases where one or both of the litigants
are pro se and/or when Judges or the Master feels it is in the children's
best interests to have an appointed attorney on their behalf. The reports
received from the attorneys representing minor children have been extremely
important in obtaining an understanding of the children's perspective and
eliminating the trauma of the children having to be present in the courtroom.
The court has noted an increased number of voluntary settlements between
the parties when counsel has been appointed for the minor child(ren).
Counseling
of Families
Twelve (12) agencies and psychologists
have been identified as being able to provide services to the families
and children of Dorchester County. Services range from family preservation
to individual counseling. Counseling covers families, young children, adolescents,
anger management, sexual abuse, substance abuse and addiction, crisis intervention,
group therapy counseling, mental health assessments, effective parenting
programs, communication skill, problem solving and family dynamics. Services
are available on a no fee, sliding scale or insurance paid basis. Counseling
has been extremely helpful in diminishing conflict and giving the family
ownership of their lives in a problem solving versus litigation mind set.
Drug/Alcohol
Testing and Evaluations
The court has established a close
network with the Dorchester County Health Department and Dorchester General
Hospital for their services in testing for drug and alcohol addictions.
Orders for immediate and continuing random urinalysis testing have been
issued. The court often orders litigants to agree to full disclosure of
information to the court. The Health Department provides a full range of
outpatient addictions treatment, including intensive outpatient services.
Treatment is group oriented with the focus that addiction is a chronic,
treatable disease. If testing and/or treatment is needed payment is based
on sliding scale.
Home
Studies
During the fiscal year 1999/2000
the Circuit Court for Dorchester County entered into the Memorandum of
Understanding with Dorchester County Youth Services to conduct court ordered
home studies. The home studies are completed by educated and trained social
workers who have experience in the area of home study evaluations. Two
levels of home studies can be ordered. Parties are either ordered to submit
to a limited or complex home study. The cost is $150.00 per family/household
for limited home studies and $250.00 per family/household for complex home
studies. Waivers of this fee may be requested. The arrangement is beneficial
to the court in that the Judge and Master receive a complete written home
study prior to hearings. |
