WHAT IS THE FAMILY LAW ADVISORY GROUP?

The Florida State Family Court Steering Committee working under the direction of the Supreme Court recommended the establishment of a Family Law Advisory Group (FLAG) to ensure effective communication among all the stakeholders both in the judicial system and in the community.   In the 15th Circuit the group has one large meeting each year inviting, judges, court staff, attorneys, social service providers, and other community leaders.  At this meeting goals and subcommittees are established and then throughout the year smaller subcommittees meet to work on those goals.

WHY HAVE A FLAG?

A family law advisory group provides an open forum for identifying issues and resolving complaints about the judicial system, interagency conflicts, and family court policies.   The success of any family court is dependent upon this effective communication.  This became especially apparent within the last year during the formation of Unified Family Court.  Without collaboration, we could have never made it as far as we have come in the last year.

The Fifteenth Circuit would like to continue to foster this sense of collaboration by having a successful Family Law Advisory Group.  In other circuits around the state, FLAG committees have tackled issues as varied as visitation guidelines, securing grant funding for various programs, implementation or improvement of procedures in juvenile and family court, and community wide funding issues.   Click here for a listing of the current FLAG committees in the 15th Circuit.

In the 15th Circuit, the Family Law Advisory Group is an important vehicle to assist the Courts and our Community. 

The success of any family court is dependent upon effective communications among all stakeholders both in the judicial system and in the community. Because the model court concept must be tailored to the needs of each community and because each family court should fully explore and take advantage of resources within the community, the creation of a Family Law Advisory Group within each circuit will enhance the family court in each circuit. Only by open communications among court staff, judges, attorneys, social service providers, and other community leaders will the role and the goal of the family court truly be realized. (p. 3)

In re: Report of the Family Court Steering Committee, 794 So.2d 518 (Fla. 2001