The 17th Judicial Circuit Court launch its Family Court Services Pilot Program, a county-funded initiative designed to connect individuals involved in family litigation with appropriate therapeutic resources while also ensuring compliance with court orders.

The program was created to improve conflict resolution and provide support services to families, with particular sensitivity to the needs of children. Court Administration personnel assigned to the unit will assist litigants by providing referrals to community agencies or private providers for services such as counseling, parenting classes, substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and social investigations, among others, according to the circuit.

 “It’s a great way to start the New Year,” said Judge Lauren M. Alperstein, who was instrumental in development of the program. “It’s amazing. It fills a huge void in the sense that we never had resources available in the courthouse. We will actually have people in the courthouse who will be finding the support these families need and reporting back to the court. This is what the Florida Supreme Court envisions to help promote therapeutic justice.”