News

National Forum Set

April 28, 2008

HARRISBURG, April 28, 2008 - The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges are sponsoring a three-day National Forum on Children, Families and the Courts this week from Wednesday to Friday in Philadelphia. The conference, to be held at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, 17th and Race Streets, is expected to be attended by more than 300 judges, child protection workers, social workers, marriage and family counselors and other professionals whose work takes them into juvenile and family courts. The forum will feature many workshops, panel discussions and networking sessions. Pennsylvania's Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille and Zygmont A. Pines, court administrator of Pennsylvania, will make welcoming remarks at the forum's opening session on Wednesday. Later that day, Supreme Court Justice Max Baer and state Secretary of Public Welfare Estelle Richmond will participate with others in a panel discussion focusing on the courts and issues affecting abused and neglected children. On Thursday, U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Marjorie O. Rendell, also First Lady of Pennsylvania, and Andrew Susko, president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and others will participate in a program focusing on civics education for young people and helping young people build stronger ties to their communities. Planning for the forum has been spearheaded by the Judicial Education Department of the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts with support from Justice Baer and AOPC's Office of Children and Families in the Courts. The forum is open to the media.