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Judicial Council approves adjustments to children’s waiting-room fund caps to keep centers operating
Summary
The Judicial Council approved requests to return excess balances from nine courts and to raise fund-balance caps for five courts so children’s waiting rooms can continue operating, with one abstention recorded.
The Judicial Council on Dec. 12 approved adjustments to the children’s waiting-room fund balances that will return about $1.7 million from nine courts and increase caps for five courts with requests totaling $5.2 million.
Judge Jonathan Conklin, chairing the presentation, said the council’s policy sets caps, requires odd‑year reporting, and provides a process for courts to request increases. Judge Mark Uhas and Rebecca Fleming described how waiting rooms provide “a safe and supervised space for children” and reduce barriers to family participation. Fleming said, “A children’s waiting room is not just a helpful addition, it’s an essential infrastructure.”
The fiscal-planning subcommittee recommended returning funds from courts that determined their existing balances were sufficient and reallocating resources to courts that need expanded caps to operate waiting rooms without interruption. The council moved and adopted the recommendations; one council member abstained during the roll call. The council indicated it will follow-up with courts as appropriate.
The changes are intended to sustain operations (staffing, rent, utilities, furnishings and supplies) for the 17 courts that currently run children’s waiting rooms and to allow other courts to request cap increases when necessary.
