Nevada Judiciary

The Summit is sponsored by the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators in partnership with the National Center for State Courts and the New York State Unified Court System.

"The opportunity to be part of a national gathering of child welfare specialists, advocates and judicial leaders is a most exciting prospect at a time when we are struggling to find solutions to difficult issues involving the plight of our children and the needs our communities and legal systems," Justice Saitta said. "I am honored to be part of such an important event."

"The opportunity to reap the benefit of other states' experience - both positive and otherwise - during a two day conference is a valuable use of resources," Justice Saitta said. "Certainly, the likelihood of learning about resources, legislation, and innovative programs is significantly enhanced when those who are part of a system, here child welfare, are together in one place."

New York Chief Judge Judith Kaye, who is hosting this week's event, noted that the changing political climate in Congress and many states may favorably impact the ability to improve the way dependent children are treated.

She said the political shift "may provide new opportunities for systemic changes that will significantly enhance our efforts."

"Greater support for birth families, relatives and foster and adoptive families, as well as necessary resources to assist our courts and agencies I addressing the often formidable issues that these families present, will, we hope, be more likely in coming days," Judge Kaye stated in a letter to state supreme courts.

She noted that the Summit will address "new mandates" that are prompting states to find new ways of collaborating with each other on children's issues that affect courts and states nationally.

Justice Saitta said, "I believe an open, educated dialogue provides those of us in the system an opportunity to renew our commitments to the young population we all care about."

Nevada's judiciary has been working for years to ensure that children who come in contact with the courts through no fault of their own are treated fairly and appropriately.

Nevada's Court Improvement Project (CIP) is the latest venture. A major goal of CIP has been to reduce the amount of time abused or neglected children spend in foster care by ensuring placement in permanent homes as quickly as possible.

CIP, which is grant funded through 2010, was established by the Nevada Supreme Court, but was placed under the Judicial Council of the State of Nevada last year as a standing committee.

In addition to Justice Saitta, Nevada's delegation includes Sheryl Overstreet, Interim CIP Coordinator, and Otto Lynn, Social Service Program Chief for the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services.

Prior to taking becoming a judge, Justice Saitta was a senior deputy attorney general where she served as the Children's Advocate for the State of Nevada and received awards for her commitment to children's causes.

This years Summit comes a year after Judge Kaye hosted the National Judicial Leadership Summit on the Protection of Children. Judge Kaye described that event in Minneapolis as "an enormously enlightening and unique coming together of the judiciary and child welfare professionals" where ideas were shared that launched new programs in several states to benefit families, children, courts and social service agencies.

"We clearly have a lot to learn from each other, underscoring the need for us to join together once again to take our collaborations to a higher level, to showcase our successes, to pick up ideas for new projects, and to build on the momentum we have gained," Judge Kaye stated.