"There's an old saying in the language Yoruba, which is spoken in parts of Western Africa, Awon omo nko? or, How are the children? It's a sentiment that connects childhood wellbeing to a society's future, Family Court Judge Fatimat Reid said Monday in an address at Court of Appeals Hall in Albany as part of the New York court system's annual State of the Judiciary."
"During his addresses, Wilson laid out his vision for the part of the system that handles issues like child custody, visitation, adoption and domestic violence the most intimate, and often most sorrowful and traumatic periods of life, he said. The topic is not new to Wilson, who has focused on improving the overburdened and under-resourced family court system since his confirmation in 2023."
"The court system's goal is to provide not just robust judicial resources that can help get families to a place of stability and safety, but also to partner with New York's other branches of government and local communities to provide support for our families' needs before, during, and after their time in family court, Wilson said during his speech."
New York's family courts face chronic under-resourcing, overburdened caseloads, and staffing challenges. The state requested over $12 million for initiatives including mediation services, peer advocacy for parents and youth, and mental-health pilot programs. Many family-court needs stem from systemic poverty and mental illness, requiring services beyond adjudication. The court system aims to combine robust judicial resources with partnerships across other government branches and local communities to support families before, during, and after court involvement. A 2024 state Senate Judiciary Committee report documented failures to retain staff and to adequately hear cases.
Read at www.amny.com
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