Circuit Court Judge Surrisi granted approval to apply for grant

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 2:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Marshall Circuit Court Judge Jeanette Surrisi requested approval to apply for a small grant to help reimburse some of the costs of public defense in Children In Need of Services (CHINS) cases.

The judge said about 75 of the 92 counties in Indiana are receiving this funding. To receive this funding, all four courts in Marshall County must agree to complete some quarterly reporting. Surrisi said all the judges have agreed to submit the required information so the Circuit Court can receive this additional funding.

A Child in Need of Services (CHINS) case in Indiana is a juvenile court case filed when the Department of Child Services (DCS) believes that a child is being abused or neglected. The goal of a CHINS case is to ensure the child's safety and well-being. In these cases, children need legal counsel representing their well-being and the interests of their parents. Judge Surrisi stated that many individuals in the court are indigent, so the county must cover the expenses. The judges would like to try to recoup some of the cost with this grant funding.

In the first year of this small grant, $16,000 will be given to the courts for training the court staff on reporting, plus an estimated $8,000 to $9,000 for counsel reimbursement. In the second year, the courts will receive $8,000 for training and an estimated $8,000 to $9,000 for reimbursement for legal counsel. In the following years, the courts will only receive the counsel reimbursement.

Judge Surrisi said, “This is just money sitting kind of on the table downstate with a little bit of reporting that we can do.”

Commissioner Adam Faulstich asked if this grant was part of the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program and was told by Judge Surrisi that it is separate from the CASA Program. She said, “CASA kind of represents the emotional needs of the children—what they need at the time and place. This is to serve the legal rights of the children and parents in a matter.”

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon motioned to authorize the application for the grant, and Commissioner Faulstich seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.