Race and Inequality Training
The Franklin County team convened a training on racial disparities in the community for team members and the specialized dockets judges of the Franklin County Municipal Court (FCMC). The goal of this session was to raise awareness of larger issues around race and inequality and provide context and information about racial disparities in the Columbus and Franklin County area. The training was facilitated by a consultant from the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at the Ohio State University who was also a member of the Franklin County public engagement leadership team.
Specialized Dockets Data Review
Franklin County team members reviewed data collection processes and outcomes related to barriers of entry to FCMC’s specialized dockets. This data collection process was funded by the team’s MacArthur Foundation grant, which focused on analyzing system drivers of disparity, including arrest records, jail and court data, referral processes, specialized docket eligibility criteria, and formal and informal policies that create barriers to access. The Franklin County team integrated findings from this data into their public engagement planning.