According to Judge Randin Roland, Lead Judge of 12th District – Team 2 of the Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative, team collaboration has allowed cases to get resolved more efficiently and effectively. His local team of approximately 30 individuals who are involved in the abuse/neglect court system in a myriad of ways, whether through substance abuse counseling, mental health services, legal representation of parents, children, and the county, foster parenting or representing HHS, have been meeting monthly to address systemic and procedural barriers that are impacting children under their care.
Lead Judge Roland and Team Secretary Cherie Smith at the Children’s Summit
Much of the focus has been on front-loading the court process. The first hearing is now held closer to the date when the children were removed. HHS provides notice of the hearing to the parents, and parents are directed to contact the court to have an attorney appointed for them immediately. Parents are then given the opportunity to meet with their attorney prior to the first hearing. Prior to the hearing, parents are also informed about the court process so that they have greater understanding of each party’s responsibilities. The adjudication date is set at the first hearing, and a pre-hearing conference is set before the admit/deny hearing to allow parties to address reports and evaluations and consider how services are being provided to the parents.
Service providers, such as substance abuse counselors, have been a great benefit to the team. The local team gives them a voice, Roland said, but it has also allowed the team to work through important issues, like long waits for counseling and getting evaluations completed. The team members have improved their ability to get an evaluation completed more quickly.
Parents’ attorney have always taken a very active role in cases, Roland said, but parents now have a much better understanding of the case. There has also been greater focus in getting non-custodial parents involved from the beginning.
The Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative has allowed issues to be brought to their attention to be addressed, Roland said. Teams are more aware of what other teams are doing across the state and can work together on issues they encounter. Judge Roland acknowledged Judge Larry Gendler, project chair of the Initiative, and said that he has been able to provide him with judicial support.
For questions about the activities of 12th District – Team 2, please contact .
12th District – Team 2 Members
| Judge Randin Roland | Adrienne Christie, parent | Tom Sonntag, attorney |
| Cherie Smith, HHS | Tim and Lisa Wheelock, foster parent | J. Leef, attorney |
| Carol Kintz, court administrator | Val Gartner, HHS supervisor | Don Miller, attorney |
| Paul Schaub, county attorney | Nathan Busch, HHS attorney | Steve Mattoon, attorney |
| Krista Goodenberger, county attorney | John Hakonson, school representative | Rick Jensen, attorney |
| Doug Palik, county attorney | amona Terin, FCRB | Steve Elsmhaeuser, attorney |
| Marian Dotson, court administrator | Julie Robinson, Drug Court | Jordan Ball, attorney |
| Kathy Carter, HHS administrator | Dep. Jim Bush, Sheriff’s Office | Joel Jay, attorney |
| Thom Townsend, CASA | Joe Aikens, police department | Phil Patten, probation |
| Katherine McGowan, CD counselor | Lt. Keith Andrew, police department | Lorrie Wold, Capstone |
| Nancy Bradford, mental health provider | Inv. Tim Craig, police department | |
| Diane Sonie, DV advocate | Jeff Gaasch, police department |
