Family COURT

The FamilyCourt Division ("FCD") providesadministrative support to the FamilyCourt.It assiststhe Clerk of Court in the processing of pleadingsand distributing ordersfor proseclientsappearing before the FamilyCourt judge. Alternative Dispute Resolution servicesare also available to clientswho prefer to resolve their disputesthrough mediation.Currently,there are three certified FamilyCourt mediators,and plansare underwayto increase the number of mediatorsto ensure casesare promptlyresolved.The FCDalso performshome studiesfor cases involving custody,paternity,divorce,adoption,and guardianship.

In addition,the FCDoverseesSeparating ParentsClasses.The FamilyCourt judge mayorder parentsundergoing divorce or separation to enroll in Separating ParentsClasses.These classesare held every three months,with active plansto offer classeseverymonth in 2023.Mediation isalso available for prosedivorcing or separating parentsto addresspending mattersbefore filing a divorce or paternitycase.

Pro Se Services

Assisting pro se clientsremainsa high priority for the FamilyCourt Division Servicesinclude:

- Providing information about filing procedures

- Preparing appropriate court formsand filing fees

- Reviewing petitions,complaints,and other pleadingsprior to filing to ensure compliance with format requirements,

- Searching for case information such ashearing datesand case status

- Distributing court ordersand contacting court litigantsto remind them of hearing date and deadlinesto submit certain documentsand pleadings.

See Table 33 for breakdown of servicesrendered.

Electronic Forms

The FCDpro se formsare available in person and downloadable for the publicon the Judiciary'swebsite.FCD plansto reformat all formsto fillable PDFformat and be made available on the Judiciay?swebsite bysummer 2023.

Notably,the FCDexperienced an increase in requestsfor pro se formsbyemail.With guidance from the staff, clientswere able to file electronicallyto limit face-to-face contact during the pandemic.

In 2022,normal operationsresumed,and clientsrequested and submitted pro se formsdirectlyto the FCDoffice.

ALTERNATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (MEDIATION)

The Alternate Dispute Resolution (?ADR?) Program within the FamilyCourt Division continuesto expand its mediation services.Mediation isa processwherebya neutral and impartial third person actsto encourage and facilitate the resolution of a dispute without prescribing what it should be.It isan informal and non-adversarial processintended to help disputing partiesreach a mutually acceptable agreement without the emotional and financial costsof litigation.Upon reaching a mutually acceptable resolution,a mediation agreement issigned by both partiesand submitted to the FamilyCourt judge for approval.

In 2022,three of the five casesreferred for mediation resulted in successful resolution

Dnapaternity Testing

The FamilyCourt Division overseesgenetictesting between on-island and off-island medical facilities,the parties, and their respective attorneysof record,if any.FCDcoordinatessample collections,notice requirements,reporting of test results,and cost recoverywith all appropriate parties.The cost recovery for the DNAtestsisgoverned by8 CMC§ 1715.Supervision of these essential testsleadsto the speedyresolution of contested paternitycases.

The FCDpartnerswith the Laboratory Corporation of America? Holdings("LabCorp") to ensure prompt processing of samplesfor testing.In 2022,there were four casesreferred for DNApaternitytesting.

Home Study

In 2022,a total of twelve (12) home studieswere ordered and conducted.Ahome studyisa review of the living conditionsof partieswho are involved with custodyor visitation issues.It also includesthe following background information: health status,prior criminal conviction,drug use,and financial status.A home studyaidsthe judge in making a decision by ensuring that the living conditionsare safe and livable for the child or children.Home studyvisitsand reports are conducted bythe FCDstaff.

Referral Services

The FCDassistsclientswith their referral ordersas entered bythe judge.In manycases,when the judge entersan order referring partiesto seek social services, the partiesreport to the FCDfor processing.Once a referral hasbeen made,the social service agency will provide the FCDwith a short report on the statusof the clientsand whether or not theyare in compliance with the court order.Thisreport isthen filed and forwarded to the FamilyCourt judge.

We continue work with the CommunityGuidance Center ("CGC") on how to best addressreferral servicesto their agency.In 2022,a total of eight clientswere referred to CGCfor intake and assessment.

Separating Parents Class

Separating Parentsclassesare held everyquarter in the monthsof February,May,August,and November.The classesare usuallyheld in a courtroom to accommodate an increasing number of participants. Classesare facilitated byMr.Joseph Kevin Villagomez, Clinical Supervisor for Treatment and Recoveryat the CommunityGuidance Center,CHCC,and Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio.In 2022,forty-five participants attended Separating ParentsClass.Two participants required a Chinese interpreter.Accommodationswere provided bythe LEPProgram.

Federal Grants

In January2022,the FCDreported on eleven grants, awarded bythe Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA), for the fourth quarter of calendar year 2021.Four grantswere extended to 2022.Five grantswere awarded to FCD.All eleven sub-grantswere awarded through the Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA).

In second quarter,the FCDeleven progressreportsfor an internal review.Two grantswere extended to September 30,2023.Five grantswere awarded to FCD. All sub-grantswere awarded through the CJPA.

In the third quarter,the FCDsubmitted eleven progress reportsfor an internal review.Three grantsexpired on August 31,2022,and three expired asof September 30, 2022.Two grantswere extended to September 30,2023. One grant from wasextended to October 1,2023.Five grantswere awarded to FCD.

In the fourth quarter,two progressreportsfor VOCA grantswere submitted to CJPAon December 13,2022. Fourth quarter progressreportsfor FCDgrantsare in early2023.The FCDsubmitted ten progressreportsfor an internal review.Five grantswere awarded to FCD during the previousreporting period.All sub-grants were awarded through the CJPA.

Compact Impact Data

The FamilyCourt Division continuesto collect data of clientsfrom the FreelyAssociated States("FAS").For 2022, the data are asfollows: and Office of the Clerk of Court met to discussthe e-filing processfor pro se casesand File & Serve