Public Notice Detail

ST. PAUL, Minn. (June 23, 2000) – Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen A. Blatz and Justice James H. Gilbert will mark the opening of Worthington’s new child visitation and safe exchange center at a ribbon cutting ceremony June 27. The event is part of the Chief Justice’s three-day “Court Innovations Tour” through Southwest Minnesota.

The public is invited to the ceremony and reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. June 27 at the Children’s Center, 826 Fifth Ave., Worthington. The formal program will begin at 2 p.m.

“The Children’s Center is a great example of an innovative program that keeps our children safe and their best interests in mind,” said Chief Justice Blatz. “I commend the Southwest Crisis Center for working to help make the justice system and the Worthington area a better place.”

The Children’s Center provides supervised visitation and an exchange program that allows children to be transferred between custodial and non-custodial parents without contact between parents. In addition to court-ordered visitation, the program accepts referrals from Family Services, Law Enforcement, Guardians Ad Litem and other family-related agencies.

“The minutes during which parents meet to exchange their children for visitation can be some of the most difficult and stressful moments for children,” said Pat Sanders, Children’s Center child advocate and visitation supervisor. “The Children’s Center removes that stress and provides a neutral exchange point.”

The Children’s Center is funded through the Southwest Crisis Center in Worthington. To arrange visitation, clients must contact the Children’s Center at least one week prior to the planned visitation day. Clients will be required to undergo an intake interview with a child advocate to help acquaint clients and their children with the Center and its rules.

Child transfers will cost $5 and supervised visitations will cost $10 per hour for the non-custodial parent. Victims will not be charged a fee. Other individuals may be eligible for a reduced fee based on their income levels.

Tuesday’s ceremonies will kick off a three-day “Court Innovations Tour” through Southwest Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District for Chief Justice Blatz and Justice Gilbert. During the trip, Chief Justice Blatz and Justice Gilbert will learn about innovations that improve the justice system and local communities.

“For the last 150 years, the court system has been working to become more efficient. Now it’s time to focus on being more effective,” said Chief Justice Blatz. “These tours give us a chance to learn from the experiences of jurors, litigants, victims and concerned citizens throughout the state.”

Chief Justice Blatz visits a different judicial district twice a year. Her June 27-29 trip will include the following stops in Worthington, Luverne, New Ulm and Mankat

Worthington, MN

• Ribbon cutting ceremony and reception, 2 p.m., June 27, at the new Children’s Center, a child custody exchange and visitation center, at 826 Fifth Ave., Worthington. The public is encouraged to attend.
• Golden K Kiwanis Breakfast, 9 a.m., June 28, at the Worthington Country Club.

Luverne, MN

• “Meet Your Court” public reception, 10:30 a.m., June 28, at the Jim Brandenburg Gallery, 211 East Main St., Luverne. Free and open to the public. This is an opportunity to meet Chief Justice Blatz, Justice Gilbert and local judges.

• Fifth Judicial District judges and court administration meeting the afternoon of June 28 in Luverne.

New Ulm, MN

• Chief Justice Blatz pitches in to help Brown County by covering a juvenile court calendar in New Ulm at 9 a.m. June 29. Brown County has been without a District Court judge since Judge Terri Stoneburner was sworn in to the Minnesota Court of Appeals in April. The justices will be available to the media at 8:45 a.m. A brief photo opportunity will take place at 9 a.m. before hearing participants enter.

Mankato, MN

• Teen Court hearing and award ceremony, 10:30 a.m., June 29 in the Blue Earth County Courthouse, 204 South Fifth St., Mankato. Chief Justice Blatz and Justice Gilbert will present awards to students who have volunteered as jury members in the program since its inception three years ago. The justices will also observe actual Teen Court hearings. The media will be allowed to attend. However, the court asks that reporters and photographers respect the anonymity of teen participants.

• Bar association meeting and luncheon, Noon, June 29, at the Holiday Inn Downtown, Mankato. All members of the Fifth Judicial District’s bar associations are invited. Members should contact their association presidents for more information.

For biographical information about Chief Justice Blatz and Justice Gilbert, or for general information about the Minnesota State Court System, visit www.courts.state.mn.us.