The Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College this week released a new free online course featuring original material and expert faculty from Ohio and Washington, D.C.

The new course, called “Ensuring Meaningful Opportunities for Youth Engagement in Court,” focuses on children’s involvement in court during major permanency decisions including adoption, foster care or emancipation.  It is open to judges and magistrates in all jurisdictions. The self-study continuing judicial education course has been approved for two general CJE credit hours and will be available through the end of the year.

Although the concept isn’t new, many courts across the country started implementing new procedures to involve youth in permanency hearings after a 2006 amendment to the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program required courts to consult with children about their future permanency planning.

James Landon, education program manager with the Judicial College, said the course is designed to explain the value of engaging youth in court proceedings in an age appropriate manner.  It will also examine potential issues of involving children in court proceedings while offering solutions to those concerns.

Landon said many judges, clinicians, and youth currently and previously in foster care agree that it can be empowering to have the opportunity to participate in court proceedings. Landon said that he is pleased that the Judicial College can make this course available to judges and magistrates in Ohio. Judicial officers from other states and countries also may register.

“I’m very proud of the quality of this course.” Landon said. “We’ve used more high quality videos than in previous Judicial eCademy courses and worked hard to make the content educational and meaningful for our target audience.”

View a course introduction video by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor.