FOSTER CARE COURT-IMPROVEMENT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE

Patrick L. Woodward, Chair
Pamela L. North, Vice-Chair

Staff: Deborah A. Unitus, Assistant State Court Administrator
Kathaleen R. Brault, Esq., Manager, Maryland Automated Judicial Information for Children
Althea R. Stewart Jones, Esq., Director, Foster Care Court-Improvement Project

c/o Administrative Office of the Courts
Maryland Judicial Center
580 Taylor Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 260-1290
e-mail: althea.stewart.jones@courts.state.md.us
fax: (410) 974-5577

The Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals authorized the Foster Care Court-Improvement Implementation Committee in 1997.

To receive funds through the federal Family Preservation and Support Act of 1993, Maryland, in 1994, began the Foster Care Court Improvement Project. The Project assessed how Maryland courts were handling cases of foster care, including those of child abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, and subsequent adoption. From that assessment, the State devised a plan, Improving Court Performance for Abused and Neglected Children, issued September 1997. Federal guidelines require the State to implement its plan.

Maryland's plan recommended that the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals form the Foster Care Court-Improvement Implementation Committee to monitor the Project, and hire a Director to oversee implementation of the plan.

Through four subcommittees, the Committee works to carry out the recommendations included in the State plan. The Committee approves grant expenditures and proposes changes to statutes and rules. It also sets priorities; fosters support and cooperation between judicial and executive agencies (and any other parties affected by implementation); and acts as judicial liaison with local, State and federal agencies.

Committee members were selected from the membership of the Family and Domestic Relations Law Committee and the Juvenile Law Committee of the Maryland Judicial Conference. Two members serve ex officio.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE