The 5th JDC updated courtroom security.

The 7th JDC judges and staff participated in a mentoring program with members of the LSU-Alexandria basketball team. All parties formed lasting relationships that are ongoing today.

The 9th JDC reviewed the current bail and bond setting on criminal offenses. The court also implemented special settings in some criminal matters to help expedite certain pending motions in the criminal sections of court.

The 10th JDC created a link on the court's website, providing family law documents to the public.

The 11th JDC installed a new sound system in the courtroom. Finally, everyone can hear!

The 12th JDC developed a new system for collection of fines in cooperation with the Sheriff.

The 14th JDC implemented a change in how felony fines, fees, and costs are paid. They are now paid and collected locally through the sheriff's office. This allows easier methods (cash, credit cards or money orders). The sheriff is working towards expanding online collections as well as using payment kiosks at key locations. This change represents the first step towards the court implementing a collection court to monitor payments and improve collection results. Another major strategy was to improve felony efficiency statistics by fast tracking cases identified by the district attorney's office. The judges will be working with the district attorney to implement faster methods to identify cases tagged for quick resolution.

The Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Committee for the Lafayette Region consists of community stakeholders (such as the judiciary, hospitals, and local providers), whose goal is to compile data to help improve the outcomes for substance-exposed newborns in the area. After extensive research, three main strategies to prevent NAS have consistently emerged: 1) improve efforts to prevent NAS before it occurs; 2) enhance screening for NAS risk factors in primary care and obstetric settings; and 3) improve the quality of, and access to, behavioral and medical patient-centered care, including improving inter-agency collaboration, for families affected by Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and NAS, To this end, the committee brought specialized training to the area to help educate local providers on the signs and risk of NAS; developed a screening tool to identify high-risk mothers (now being used in the local health unit); and hopes to provide education throughout the community to educate parents about the effects of substances on unborn babies and newborn infants.

St. Mary Parish Family Court program worked closely with Chez Hope (a domestic violence advocacy agency) to begin a new program, funded by a grant, to provide free, supervised visitation to those parents who are not able to exercise unsupervised custody and visitation with their children. The Keeping Kids in Domestic Situations Safe (K.K.I.D.S.S.) Center allows those parents to maintain a relationship with the children while ensuring the children remain safe. The Center also provides monitored custody exchanges to facilitate a stress free transfer of the children from one parent to another and back again. The Center opened in May 2016, and the Court is making referrals to the Center on a regular basis.

The 17th JDC obtained a federal VAWA grant to operate the PACT Place Supervised Visitation Center to provide safe and secure visitation in domestic violence cases.

The 19th JDC implemented a texting system for potential jurors, which has been a big help.

The 22nd JDC implemented multi-agency sharing of traffic dispositions and jail sequential intervention.

The 23rd JDC began electronically processing all petitions for protective orders.

The 24th JDC initiated the Self-Represented Litigant Help Desk.

The 25th JDC continuously updated and improved the self-represented litigant website and the forms provided on the website.

The 31st JDC participated in regular meetings with justice system partners.

The 32nd JDC began courthouse security checkpoints.

The 33rd JDC sponsored mock trials for elementary school students.

The 34th JDC began updating telephone and technology use and access to improve communication. The court also reviewed courthouse security and, in partnership with the District Attorney, Clerk of Court, and Sheriff, identified security issues and began to address these issues. The court also purchased a new front door scanner, formed a committee to address added security measures, updated electronic warrant systems, and installed video magistrate cameras.

The 36th JDC initiated preparations with Homeland Security and parish and city law enforcement for an active shooter drill for all courthouse occupants.

The 37th JDC updated jury forms and procedures to better inform jurors and make the juror experience more convenient.

The 38th JDC worked with the local library to provide a workstation and fillable forms for self-represented litigants.

The 42nd JDC implemented electronic iJury 2016 for jury service.

Caddo Parish Juvenile Court established a second adult drug court that does not include Child in Need of Care cases, but does include adults in Families in Need of Services cases, child support cases, and domestic violence cases.

Juvenile Court judges and administration worked together to restructure court operations and to reorganize court staff to create a new case manager position. The case manager will assist the judges with Child In Need of Care (CINC) cases by reducing delays and insuring that all CINC matters proceed through the court process in a manner that prioritizes the best interest of the children and families involved.

The Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court website was updated and now includes online fee payment.

Orleans Parish Civil District Court was a recipient of the Pro Bono Institute's 2016 Corporate Pro Bono Partner Award. The award was used to partially fund the Self-Help Desk in Civil District Court.

Orleans Parish Criminal District Court restructured the judicial committees, continued to provide the Re-Entry Program, and pursued funds for the AiSmart Bench judicial information management system.