2021 Judicial Conference Program

Developing Strategies With an unknown end to the pandemic, it was clear that any strategies developed should be guided by the goal to quickly develop and deploy remote methods of service delivery that are sustainable and effective, and not simply to overcome an inconvenience. The strategies developed from the above-mentioned meeting included the following: • Target Population Strategies • Continue to admit new participants whenever possible: problem-solving court teams recognized that mental health and drug-related crimes would likely increase due to stress and fear caused by the pandemic. • Enhanced Communication Strategies • Increase frequency of contact with participants using multiple teleservice approaches, including reaching out through social media platforms. • Actively and creatively use all available methods of remote technology to conduct problem-solving court teammeetings (staffings) and compliance hearings (phone contact plus face-to-face sessions via Skype for Business, GoToWebinar, and Zoom for Government). • Identify and share the location of areas in which free internet service is available. • Case Management and Treatment Strategies • Address participant phase advancement concerns early. • Hold virtual graduations and acknowledgement of progress celebrations. • Continue to utilize behavior modification treatment such as sanctions, incentives, and therapeutic adjustments. • Utilize transdermal drug and alcohol testing where possible. • When practicable and with the use of approved PPE, conduct in-person drug testing in locations with low and controlled COVID infection levels. • Program Sustainability Strategies • Identify funding for needed program enhancements such as providing cell phones for court employees and participants without access. • Step-up referrals and engage with problem-solving court community members, government partners, and other stakeholders. • Identify community service ideas such as making cloth face coverings for others, donating blood, and developing a communication tree to keep in contact with those most vulnerable. • Population Vulnerability Mitigation Strategies

• Increase dissemination of community health, safety, and access to food resources. • Identify and disseminate COVID-19 specific community resources and services. • Establish relationships with new pandemic-related community service providers. • Help coordinate telehealth services.

Strategies in Action Problem-solving court teams implemented the strategies outlined above and quickly adapted all program and court proceedings to the virtual environment. Metrics gathered from the Statewide Maryland Automated Record Tracking (SMART) system during the Judiciary’s COVID-19 Phase I-IV court operational plan demonstrate the considerable effort made by problem-solving court teams to maximize attendance at court proceedings and hearings, maintain regular supervision and case management contacts, coordinate telehealth services, admit new participants, and maintain regular drug testing and administration of medication. Several examples of SMART metrics illustrating this effort include: 1. Case Management Activities and Service Referrals Case management activities (e.g., contacts, case planning, collateral contacts, etc.) increased 19.6% from March 16 – October 4, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The number of service referrals also showed significant increase, with 38% more referrals to services like housing,

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