Chief Justice Elizabeth T. Clement of the Michigan Supreme Court, alongside fellow justices and task force members, will present a report from the Child Protective Legal Representation Task Force in a virtual news conference. This event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., and can be viewed on YouTube.
The task force was co-founded by Justice Megan K. Cavanagh and Justice Kyra H. Bolden, who both serve as co-liaisons on child welfare matters. Other key figures involved include Judge Tina Yost Johnson from the 37th Circuit Court in Calhoun County, Senator Sam Singh representing Michigan's 28th District, and Professor Vivek Sankaran from the University of Michigan Law School.
The report to be released includes recommendations developed with input from various stakeholders and public members. These recommendations aim to enhance legal representation and address disparities within child protective proceedings across Michigan. One significant proposal is for legislators to create a statewide office dedicated to parent and child legal representation.
The task force was established in 2023 to tackle disparities in how attorneys are compensated, trained, and engaged in cases concerning child protective services. Courts have faced challenges in securing court-appointed attorneys due to inadequate funding and competition with other legal systems.
Reporters interested in participating via Zoom should contact Stacy Sellek at SellekS@courts.mi.gov for further details.