Court Improvement Program

Sandra L. Karison, Director
(804) 786-6455

  • The Virginia Court Improvement Program (CIP) works in the area of juvenile and family law and is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of child dependency court proceedings. CIP offers training, facilitates data-driven decision making, supports compliance with legal standards, and promotes family engagement and best practices. In collaboration with judges, attorneys, the Virginia Department of Social Services, Indian tribes, persons with lived experience, and community partners, CIP strives to advance safety, permanency, and well-being for children, strengthen the judicial process for all individuals impacted by child welfare issues in Virginia, and contribute to broader systemic reform. The Court Improvement Program also implements standards promulgated by the Judicial Council of Virginia governing lawyers who serve as guardians ad litem for children and for incapacitated persons under Title 64.2. 

    Key Responsibilities:

    • Conducts assessments of the role, responsibilities, and effectiveness of the courts in processing child dependency cases and supports implementation of identified improvements.
    • Collaborates with the Virginia Department of Social Services on shared goals to enhance the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in foster care, including participation in the Child and Family Service Plan/Annual Progress and Services Report, Child and Family Services Review, and Title IV-E foster care eligibility reviews.
    • Engages in and promotes collaboration among the courts, court communities, state and local departments of social services, and Indian tribes.
    • Provides training for judges and the child welfare legal community.
    • Collects, analyzes, and shares data on child abuse, neglect, and foster care case processing and encourages data sharing between the courts and local child welfare agencies, as authorized by law.
    • Conducts research and analysis of child welfare law and policy within the court system.
    • Examines legislative proposals concerning juvenile and family law to identify implementation issues on behalf of the courts and works to resolve them.
    • Responds to legislative studies directed to the court system on issues concerning children and families.
    • Supports local collaborative efforts to improve permanency planning for children through the integration of best practices into the policy and daily routines of the court and training.