Family Law Section’s Statewide Trauma Workshop Series

Family Law Section’s Statewide Trauma Workshop Series

Sarah Kay, Family Law Section Chair

The Family Law Section and the Office of The State Courts Administrator have announced a first of its kind partnership to present a market-specific, customized ‘Trauma-Informed Courts Workshop’ series that will take place in 11 districts throughout the state.

The purpose of the workshops is to create – and sustain – a partnership between local courts, local practitioners, and therapeutic and local resources to develop trauma-informed family courts in each circuit.

The first workshop will be held on Thursday, November 16, from 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. at the Duval County Courthouse. To register, visit familylawfla.org/event/osca-trauma-workshop-jacksonville/.  The Second workshop will be held on November 17, from 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. at the Alachua County Sephan P. Mickle Criminal Courthouse.  To register, visit https://familylawfla.org/event/osca-trauma-workshop-gainesville/.

“This is an unprecedented alliance that was formed for one, critical purpose – to educate attorneys, legal professionals and members of the judiciary on the importance of understanding how trauma affects so many family law-related cases,” said Sarah E. Kay, Chair of the Family Law Section. “We must do better to understand how actions and decisions we make affect these families, and we are incredibly grateful to Rose Patterson at OSCA and Judge Jack Helinger of the 6th Circuit Court for working with us to develop this important series.”

The target audience will include judges and magistrates who hear domestic relations cases, family law attorneys, and court staff. The goal is to better serve Florida’s families by cultivating trauma-informed and trauma-responsive domestic relations courts.

The day-long, interactive workshops will address the impact of toxic stress, adverse childhood experiences, resiliency, self-care technology, and guiding principles for family courts. CLE, CJE, and CEU credits will be given upon completion of the course.

Additional locations and corresponding dates are:

December 13, 2023 – Orlando

December 14, 2023 – Daytona Beach

March 25, 2024 – Fort Walton Beach

March 27, 2024 – Tallahassee

April 16, 2024 – Palm Beach

April 17, 2024 – Fort Lauderdale

April 18, 2024 – Miami

June 5, 2024 – Tampa

June 7, 2024 – Fort Myers

The cost to attend each workshop is $50 for non-judges and magistrates. Judges and court staff who wish to attend the workshop should contact Paola Pana at PanaP@flcourts.org for a special discount code which waives the registration fee.

To learn more, visit familylawfla.org.