Community Initiatives
A courthouse—and the judges who preside there—are an important part of a broader community. The Institute is committed to working alongside courts and judges to help improve their connection to local court users and citizens through two primary projects.
Judicial Incubator Program: In incubators, leaders from the Bolch Institute facilitate a small group of judges that meets regularly, each time agreeing as a group to try one new trauma-informed practice in their courtrooms (e.g., coming down off the bench, innovative approaches to decision-making). The following month, the group meets to discuss their experiences before selecting another new practice to try. This iterative practice drives rapid-cycle innovation and builds judicial community, allowing judges to explore new ideas for court improvement in a supportive environment. Click here to learn more about judicial incubators.
Courthouse Spaces Project: Bolch assists courts interested in improving the physical space of their courtrooms and courthouses achieve their vision. Working in partnership with the HopeStar Foundation, which provides up to $10,000 per project in support, the Bolch team tours courthouses, works alongside judges and other personnel to generate improvement ideas, and consults to ensure changes are trauma-informed and supported by the scientific literature—which shows that calm spaces may lead to more positive court experiences. Click here to learn more about trauma-informed courthouse changes and here to learn more about applying for a HopeStar grant.