Court Panel to Take a Hard Look at Problem-solving Courts With an Emphasis on Mental Illness and Substance Disorders

The Supreme Court has charged the Steering Committee on Problem-Solving Courts with the ongoing responsibility of addressing the needs of individuals engaged with the court system due to mental illness and substance use disorders.

This mandate spans the next two years and emphasizes the application of differentiated case management principles alongside other evidence-based and emerging best practices.

The court has tasked the committee with:

• Recommending revisions to Supreme Court-approved best practice standards or guidelines, as needed, to ensure best practices remain current and consistent with new research and guidance.
• Continuing to provide guidance to the Office of the State Courts Administrator on the development of statewide problem-solving court training initiatives on best practices.
• Continuing to provide guidance to the Problem-Solving Court Advisory Group in making funding recommendations to the Trial Court Budget Commission, as needed, based on regular updates provided by the advisory group.
• Overseeing and providing guidance and direction for implementation of the Problem-Solving Court Certification Program and submitting a report to the court on the outcomes of the pilot program no later than June 30, 2025.

The Steering Committee, chaired by Collier County Judge Janeice Martin,  is authorized to propose rule changes that are necessary to fulfill the charges set forth in Administrative Order No. AOSC24-50.

“The Steering Committee is also authorized, in accordance with the applicable state court system protocols, to propose for the Court’s consideration statutory changes that are necessary to fulfill the charges in this administrative order and to address statutory changes previously proposed by the Steering Committee and approved by the Court but that have not yet been enacted,” according to the July 19 order.

Those appointed or reappointed to serve on the Steering Committee for a term that expires on June 30, 2026, include:

• Judge Hope Tieman Bristol, 17th Judicial Circuit
• Melanie Brown-Woofter, president/CEO, Florida Behavioral Health Association
• Chief Judge Shawn Crane, Sixth Judicial Circuit
• Judge David Denkin, Sarasota County
• Judge Josephine Gagliardi, Lee County
• Patty Harris, Trial Court Administrator, 19th Judicial Circuit
• Gina Justice, Trial Court Administrator, 13th Judicial Circuit
• Judge Alicia Latimore, Ninth Judicial Circuit
• Judge Steven Leifman, Miami-Dade County
• Judge Steven Levin, 19th Judicial Circuit
• Magistrate Shannon Lord, 14th Judicial Circuit
• Judge Melanie May, Fourth District Court of Appeal
• Desiree Meaton-Francisco, director, Medication-Assisted Treatment Program DACCO Behavioral Health
• Ita Neymotin, Regional Counsel, Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Second District
• Dr. Roger Peters, professor emeritus, University of South Florida
• Kelly Steele, director of case management, Ninth Judicial Circuit
• Alina Stoothoff, court operations consultant, Fifth Judicial Circuit
• Magistrate Donna Vincent, Fourth Judicial Circuit

The court said the success of Florida’s problem-solving courts depends upon effective communication among all stakeholders, and the following representatives, or their designees, shall also serve as members of the Steering Committee:

• President, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association
• President, Florida Public Defender Association
• Secretary, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
• Secretary, Florida Department of Children and Families

Original source can be found here.