Juvenile, dependency and family court systems meet OEF/OIF/New Dawn military and veteran families: Clashing cultures or promoting partnerships?

The US all-volunteer military has experienced unprecedented levels of deployments and combat/operational stress over the last decade. Multiple studies have now described the special challenges and heightened stressors faced by military families and families whose veterans are returning from war. Civilian court systems and related service providers – especially those located in communities with high concentrations of military, reserve and guard, and veterans - are facing increasing challenges as they try to meet the special needs posed by this unique, growing, and increasingly underserved population. To better understand the challenges ahead, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judge's (NCJFCJ) created a Military Issues Committee in March 2011 tasked with identifying key problems and developing recommendations to improve Court personnel awareness of and competence with this subgroup. Findings from a December 2011 NCJFCJ national survey of 402 judges and related personnel will be shared with special focus on concerns related to intimate partner violence, (IPV), domestic violence, and child abuse and neglect cases in this population. Recommendations for best practices on collaboration with military and local reservist centers, improved screening, and case monitoring will be highlighted.