Continuing Ed: Changes to Dependency Proceedings in the Age of COVID-19
Courts responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by changing their operations in several ways. In dependency (abuse and neglect) proceedings, these changes include mask requirements, Covid-19 screening, capacity limits in the courtroom, increased use of virtual hearings, time-certain hearings, continuations of hearings, and different approaches to filing documents. This session will present an overview of those changes. The panelists will also discuss benefits of those changes as well as some of the challenges that arose in connection with these adaptations. Finally, as courts move beyond the pandemic and considering making long-term changes, the panelists will discuss how to collaborate with the courts to make those changes as successful as possible.
