Yolo Superior Court Judge David Rosenberg has been appointed chair of a California Judicial Council working group charged with developing a competitive grant program supporting the council in awarding funds to courts for innovative and efficient judicial branch services and programs.
“The California judicial branch found creative ways to preserve and improve access to justice even during the depths of the fiscal crisis,” California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye said in a news release. “This grant program will reinforce those efforts, recognize worthy innovations, and create models capable of being replicated.”
The 2016-17 California budget provides $25 million for grants to improve access to justice for court users and the public.
The funding, to be used over a multi-year period, will support innovations in collaborative courts; self-help, family and juvenile courts; and other efficiencies in the trial and appellate courts. Consistent with the statutory requirements, the programs selected must have measurable results or benefits that have a demonstrated impact on the court and the public it serves.
“I commend Governor Brown and Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye for their foresight in launching this program,” Rosenberg said. “Innovative court programs can save taxpayer money and can allow courts to serve the public more efficiently and effectively. We will get right on this.”
Other appointees to the working group include Justice Andrea Hoch of the Third Appellate District, Kings Superior Court Presiding Judge Steven D. Barnes, San Diego Superior Court Judge Presiding Judge Jeffrey B. Barton, Riverside Superior Court Judge David M. Chapman, Alameda Superior Court Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte, Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Mary Ann O’Malley, Court Executive Officers Alan Carlson of Orange Superior Court and Teresa Risi of Monterey Superior Court, and Court Clerk/Administrator Charlene Ynson, Fifth Appellate District.