Harford County, Maryland FY 24 Proposed Operating Budget

JUDICIAL Family Court Services Division Index #417000

ORIGIN/PURPOSE: The role of the Social Worker is to develop, implement and direct a program that will include evaluation/mediation for parties to domestic cases who have disputes over custody, visitation and similar issues. Working directly with the parties in both individual and joint sessions, the Social Worker addresses issues that may arise such as mutual cooperation, child development, and child safety. The goal of the program is to assist parties in resolving their problems themselves instead of resorting to time consuming and unproductive court hearings. The Court also established a Facilitated Visitation Program. In cases where a claim is made that a parent has not seen a child for such a significant period that they are a stranger to the child, or there are allegations of sexual abuse, the Social Worker is retained to supervise visitation. The facilitator files a report after each visit and assists the Court in the evaluation of the case. Psychological/Psychiatric Evaluations: properly done evaluations which assist the Court in determining whether further psychological/psychiatric counseling is needed and greatly expedites any referral for such assistance. Parenting Program: aimed at assisting single/divorced parents in understanding such areas as child development, the separation process, and the psychological aspects of divorce. Home Studies: a qualified individual evaluates a home suitability or other physical aspects of the environment where a child will be and reports to the Court. In every case where services are needed, every attempt is made to have those services provided privately with the expenses to be paid by either parties or their medical insurance. Where this is not possible, the parties are assessed on a sliding scale basis and the monies paid into the County's General Fund. FY 24 GOAL: TO CONTINUE TO REFINE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICES OFFERED IN DOMESTIC CASES AS WELL AS DEVELOP NEW SERVICES TO ASSIST FAMILIES AND THE COURT TO PROMPTLY AND EFFICIENTLY RESOLVE CUSTODY AND VISITATION DISPUTES o To reduce the time from the filing of a case to the resolution of any custody or visitation dispute o To decrease the number of custody/visitation dispositions that require resolution by trial

ALL FUND SUMMARY:

ORIGINAL BUDGET FY 23

EXECUTIVE PROPOSED FY 24

AUDITED FY 21

AUDITED FY 22

CHANGE FY 24 VS FY 23

SUMMARY BY CHARACTER: 10 PERSONAL SERVICES 20 CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 30 SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS 40 BUSINESS AND TRAVEL

480,836 170,475

475,303 167,776

601,692 201,042

640,861 201,042

39,169

0 0 0

2,294 2,522

2,487

6,165 6,810

6,165 6,810

738

GRAND TOTAL

656,127

646,303

815,709

854,878

39,169

FUNDING SOURCE: 11 GENERAL

656,127

646,303

815,709

854,878

39,169

521