SJI Newsletter

July 2021 | Volume 31, No. 10

 

New Evaluation and Performance Measures Framework

for Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Programs

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state courts accelerated efforts to implement 

online dispute resolution (ODR) programs that offer litigants a software platform in 

which to resolve legal problems, including negotiating settlements or exchanging 

information in preparation for in-court hearings. ODR programs are intended to 

increase access to justice, especially for self-represented litigants, through increased 

convenience, case processing efficiency, and awareness of litigant options, while 

decreasing costs. With SJI support, the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has 

issued a new report describing a framework for program evaluation, as well as 

ongoing performance measures for ODR programs. The framework employs a 

“balanced scorecard” approach to ensure that evaluation and performance measures 

take into account perspectives of important stakeholders, including courts, litigants, 

access-to-justice advocates, and funders of ODR programs. All of the measures 
address the same underlying primary question: to what extent does the ODR 

program improve access to justice? The report is available here. The NCSC project 

team is also available to provide technical assistance to courts implementing new 

ODR programs.

Given the rapid advancement of technology solutions such as ODR, litigant portals, 

and artificial intelligence, SJI has committed to not only provide seed funding for 

these efforts, but also play a critical leadership role. SJI is promoting the 

development and implementation of these technologies, and working with key 

stakeholders both nationally and internationally to adapt proven technology platforms 

in the state courts. These developments will fundamentally change the way 

individuals interact with the courts, in addition to further streamlining court operations.

2021 National Juvenile Justice Transformation Symposium

The Robert F. Kennedy National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice, with SJI 

support, is hosting the Transformation of Youth Justice Symposium

(September 8-9, 2021) and supplemental half-day Training Institutes

(September 10, 2021). The two-day symposium is designed for multidisciplinary professionals and youth-serving stakeholders seeking to learn, 

network, and become part of the nationwide movement to effectively transform 

youth justice and improve outcomes for children and families.

The Symposium will feature five plenaries and 30 workshops focused on 

current and significant cross-cutting issues impacting the youth-serving field. 

Participants seeking to expand their knowledge may also register to attend a 
supplemental half-day Training Institute session following the Symposium. 

Focused on six critical topics, these deep-dive sessions will highlight 

opportunities and methods to significantly enhance current practice to improve 

system performance and ensure the highest likelihood of achieving positive 

outcomes for youth and families. The Symposium and Training Institutes will 

emphasize the importance of peer-to-peer learning and collaboration to identify 

common challenges and solutions that lead to meaningful, sustainable, and 

measurable policy and practice change. To learn more, please visit:

www.rfknrcjj.org/events.

Tools Available to Help Courts Assess Their Continuity 

Programs

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has released a new resource, 

the Courts Continuity Assessment Tool (C-CAT), to help courts determine 

where the gaps may lie in their current continuity programming.

Available as an interactive online self-assessment survey (as of June 2021), 

or for download as an Excel spreadsheet, the C-CAT builds on prior NCSC 

work in this area funded by SJI. This work includes the NCSC Courts 

Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning Guide and Template and the NCSC 

Emergency Management Lessons Learned Focus Group Report. The C-CAT 

incorporates advice from these new resources, and provides an interactive
platform for assessing nine key areas of court continuity of operations:

1. Address Leadership Issues and Dedicate Staff

2. Build and Strengthen Collaborative Relationships

3. Identify Essential Functions

4. Develop Redundant Communications

5. Support the Needs of the Workforce

6. Address Courthouse Infrastructure Needs and Alternate Facilities

7. Address Information Technology (IT) Resilience

8. Identify Reconstitution and Cost Recovery Processes

9. Train and Exercise the Program

Many of the questions included in the C-CAT are based on those found in the 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Continuity Assessment Tool 

(CAT), and the interactive guidance is consistent with available FEMA 

Continuity Planning Resources for Non-Federal Entities. Following FEMA 

recommendations, courts should complete an assessment of their continuity 

programs on a regular basis (e.g., annually).

The NCSC provides other resources related to continuity of operations and 

court security, including an Updated Personal Security Tips document –

revised since 2009, that covers several areas related to the personal safety of 

judges and court staff in various settings.
The State Justice Institute is a federally-funded, non-profit corporation established by federal law in 1984 

to improve the quality of justice in the state courts.

SJI Board of Directors

Chair

John D. Minton, Jr.

Chief Justice

Supreme Court of Kentucky

Frankfort, KY

Vice Chair

Daniel J. Becker

State Court Administrator (ret.)

Utah AOC

Salt Lake City, UT

Secretary

Gayle A. Nachtigal

Senior Circuit Court Judge

Washington County Circuit Court

Hillsboro, OR

Treasurer

David V. Brewer

Justice

Oregon Supreme Court

Salem, OR

Jonathan Lippman

Chief Judge of New York (ret.)

of Counsel

Latham & Watkins, LLP

New York, NY

Chase T. Rogers

Chief Justice (ret.)

Supreme Court of Connecticut

Partner

Pitney Day, LLP

Hartford, CT

Wilfredo Martinez

Senior Judge

State of Florida

Orlando, FL

Marsha J. Rabiteau

Executive Director

Center for Human Trafficking Court 

Solutions

Bloomfield, CT

Hernan D. Vera

Judge

Superior Court

Los Angeles, CA

Isabel Framer

President

Language Access Consultants, 

LLC

Copley, OH

Jonathan D. Mattiello

Executive Director

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