Court Liaison Services

In 2001, the management of Santa Maria identified a need for better support for clients as they faced judges, probation officers and hearings at Family Protective Services. Interacting with these official caused our women to be intimidated and fearful, often leaving them unprepared for their meetings. Some of them would be so fearful that they would not attend these meetings.

As a result of identifying this unmet need, Santa Maria established new policies and procedures. Since 2001, on admission to Santa Maria, each new woman is screened for unresolved legal issues and Family Protective Services (FPS) issues. In 2001, over half of our women had involvement with the court system or FPS. Today, over three- fourths of our women are involved in these systems.

Santa Maria is the only women and children’s treatment program in the state that provides a court liaison.

The Santa Maria Court Liaison serves as a link between Santa Maria, the client and either the courts or FPS. He helps insure timely access to care, treatment and services when a woman is involved in the criminal justice system or the FPS system. The woman meets regularly with the court liaison to discuss court or FPS proceedings and to learn what is expected of her to disengage from the court system or to gain or retain custody of her child(ren). The court liaison guides and instructs her regarding her court or FPS appearances and insures appropriate documentation is available to the courts or FPS. He is the “linking mechanism" between Santa Maria, the client and court. The overall objective for the liaison is to increase communication and sharing of information between the client, Santa Maria and the court or FPS. To accomplish this goal, the liaison is in constant contact with the activities of the court as they involve our clients and advocates on behalf of clients in all court situations. The liaison attends court hearings, coordinates conferences between the client, family, and court staff, and makes recommendations to the court for special support services for the client.