On behalf of Michigan’s Supreme Court, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your public service and to offer a few words of encouragement during this health crisis.
Friday, May 15, 2020
COVID-19 Resources for Child Support Professionals
By Amy Lindholm, Management Analyst, SCAO Friend of the Court Bureau
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes in daily activity for Michigan courts and for Michigan families. There have been many new questions about how custody, parenting time, and child support orders work during this public health pandemic, as well as how friend of the court (FOC) offices can, should, or must operate during and after this crisis.
The State Court Administrative Office Court Services Division has created many resources to address access to the courts, and the Friend of the Court Bureau (the Bureau) has created specific resources to help FOC offices provide services during this time. Many of the resources are located on our web page, “FOC Resources during the COVID-19 Outbreak.” We will continue to add information here providing general answers to common questions about FOC services and custody, parenting time, and child support orders during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes in daily activity for Michigan courts and for Michigan families. There have been many new questions about how custody, parenting time, and child support orders work during this public health pandemic, as well as how friend of the court (FOC) offices can, should, or must operate during and after this crisis.
The State Court Administrative Office Court Services Division has created many resources to address access to the courts, and the Friend of the Court Bureau (the Bureau) has created specific resources to help FOC offices provide services during this time. Many of the resources are located on our web page, “FOC Resources during the COVID-19 Outbreak.” We will continue to add information here providing general answers to common questions about FOC services and custody, parenting time, and child support orders during the COVID-19 outbreak.
An Awakening – Signs of Life after a Long Winter
By Steve Capps, Director, SCAO Friend of the Court Bureau
On March 10, 2020, Governor Whitmer proclaimed a state of emergency in Michigan. Overnight, everything changed. Support specialists had new case referrals suspended, and friend of the court (FOC) and prosecuting attorney staff were sent home – often with little to no contact to their work.
March in Michigan is still winter. On March 10, there is still more darkness than light, and the light this year was frequently accompanied by ill-tempered weather. High storm winds, one of the latest snow events in recent history, and record-breaking low temperatures for spring in Michigan soon followed.
On March 10, 2020, Governor Whitmer proclaimed a state of emergency in Michigan. Overnight, everything changed. Support specialists had new case referrals suspended, and friend of the court (FOC) and prosecuting attorney staff were sent home – often with little to no contact to their work.
March in Michigan is still winter. On March 10, there is still more darkness than light, and the light this year was frequently accompanied by ill-tempered weather. High storm winds, one of the latest snow events in recent history, and record-breaking low temperatures for spring in Michigan soon followed.
How to Provide Electronic Notary Services
By Nikki Withrow, Management Analyst, SCAO Friend of the Court Bureau
Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order (EO) 2020-74 encourages government agencies to use electronic notarization through June 30, 2020. To do so, notaries and the parties must use two-way, real-time audiovisual technology.
Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order (EO) 2020-74 encourages government agencies to use electronic notarization through June 30, 2020. To do so, notaries and the parties must use two-way, real-time audiovisual technology.
The Buzz about Zoom
By Amy Lindholm, Management Analyst, SCAO Friend of the Court Bureau
As social distancing continues to be recommended to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Michigan courts are turning to video- and audio-conferencing options using Zoom software to allow litigants to remotely conduct their court business. The Michigan Supreme Court offers each seated circuit, district, and probate judge a Zoom Enterprise license at no additional charge to the local court. The license provides each judge with his or her own Zoom virtual courtroom. The Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI) and Judicial Information Services (JIS) have put together many resources to help courts quickly learn about using Zoom videoconferencing to conduct court business and to ease that transition.
As social distancing continues to be recommended to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Michigan courts are turning to video- and audio-conferencing options using Zoom software to allow litigants to remotely conduct their court business. The Michigan Supreme Court offers each seated circuit, district, and probate judge a Zoom Enterprise license at no additional charge to the local court. The license provides each judge with his or her own Zoom virtual courtroom. The Michigan Judicial Institute (MJI) and Judicial Information Services (JIS) have put together many resources to help courts quickly learn about using Zoom videoconferencing to conduct court business and to ease that transition.
 |
| Virtual courtroom backgrounds are available on the Virtual Courtroom Resource Center page. |
Good Health & Wellbeing during Quarantine
By Abigail Tithof, Human Resources Specialist, State Court Administrative Office
It seems there is no greater task before us than to make it through this uniquely challenging period of separation from life and love as we knew it before COVID-19. Early on, it seemed that a (then) minor change in reality could only be perceived in waves. There were enough daily activities that we could still pursue, so as not to notice the more dramatic changes lurking around the corner. In early March, someone mentioned toilet paper and pondering why people were snatching it off the shelves, as if we were unconsciously picking a random, benign item to distract us from the bigger picture. It did not compute to me all those weeks ago, as your average human resources worker, that we were in for more than just an exercise in good stewardship of restroom supplies.
Tips for Working Remotely
By Kiesha Gibson, Law Clerk, SCAO Friend of the Court Bureau
[Editor's note: The following tips for working from home have been adapted with permission from SCAO’s internal “Tips for Working from Home.”]
Starting in January 2020, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has impacted life around the world. In Michigan, Governor Whitmer announced a state of emergency in March and signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order, which required those of us who could to work from home to lower the spread of infection. Getting accustomed to working from home has challenges in itself. Whether you feel isolated, have frequent family or pet interruptions, or just have trouble staying focused, there can be some difficulty working from home.
[Editor's note: The following tips for working from home have been adapted with permission from SCAO’s internal “Tips for Working from Home.”]
Starting in January 2020, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has impacted life around the world. In Michigan, Governor Whitmer announced a state of emergency in March and signed the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order, which required those of us who could to work from home to lower the spread of infection. Getting accustomed to working from home has challenges in itself. Whether you feel isolated, have frequent family or pet interruptions, or just have trouble staying focused, there can be some difficulty working from home.
Address Changes after Evictions and Foreclosures Resume
By Kelsey Croft, Law Clerk, Friend of the Court Bureau
As everyone is likely aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our society. The various policies and procedures to respond to COVID-19 are changing almost as quickly as they are enacted. State and federal agencies have rolled out programs to provide financial assistance to individuals, but many people will still fall through the cracks or need more assistance than they can access.
Aside from the more obvious consequences, many Michiganders are likely to lose their housing – or they may have already. Housing changes mean address changes. Unfortunately, updating an address with the court is probably, at best, an afterthought for parents in the midst of a housing crisis. Friend of the court (FOC) offices must be prepared for the upcoming influx of address changes that will affect their ability to provide essential child support services to Michigan families.
As everyone is likely aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our society. The various policies and procedures to respond to COVID-19 are changing almost as quickly as they are enacted. State and federal agencies have rolled out programs to provide financial assistance to individuals, but many people will still fall through the cracks or need more assistance than they can access.
Aside from the more obvious consequences, many Michiganders are likely to lose their housing – or they may have already. Housing changes mean address changes. Unfortunately, updating an address with the court is probably, at best, an afterthought for parents in the midst of a housing crisis. Friend of the court (FOC) offices must be prepared for the upcoming influx of address changes that will affect their ability to provide essential child support services to Michigan families.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)