What can courts do to improve performance in this area?

Responding to the diversity of a court’s jurisdiction requires a multifaceted approach. CCS focuses its resources on three subtopics: (1) developing an institutional capacity for cultural sensitivity, (2) developing strategies to increase the availability of interpretation and other language services, and (3) increasing the diversity among judges and court staff. The steps outlined below are intended to help courts build solutions to fit their specific needs within each of the subtopic areas. The steps include (1) gathering information to learn about the court’s current policies and practices in the area, (2) determining what changes should be made to improve performance in the area, (3) identifying solutions to address the needed changes, and (4) preparing a plan to implement the changes. Courts can systematically move through each of the three or four steps or choose the step they are most interested in at this time.

1. Subtopic I: Building Cultural Sensitivity

   Step 1: Gather information on the cultural sensitivity of your court.
   
   Step 2: Determine what areas need to be addressed.
   
   Step 3: Identify potential solutions.
   
   Step 4: Create an implementation plan.
   
   

2. Subtopic II: Increasing the availability of quality interpretation and other language services

   Step 1: Gather information about the court's current interpretation and language services.
   
   Step 2: Determine what areas need to be addressed.
   
   Step 3: Identify solutions.
   
   

3. Subtopic III: Increasing diversity across the court's workforce

   Step 1: Gather information on the court's policies and practices related to a diverse workforce.
   
   Step 2: Determine what areas need to be addressed.
   
   Step 3: Identify potential solutions.
   
   Step 4: Create an implementation plan.

Additional Resources: Where can I find additional resources?

Listed on the additional resources web page are references and links to other articles, books, reports, Web sites, and so forth to help you learn more about specific topics in this area. In addition, CCS is sponsoring a national Community of Practice (CoP) in this area to facilitate information-sharing among practitioners working in this area and to foster the development of innovative programs and practices in the area. For information regarding the Communities of Practice please contact us and specify that you are interested in the Diversity CoP.You can also contact us with questions or to request technical assistance.