PICKAWAY – On April 7, 2020, Pickaway County Probate / Juvenile Court was awarded a $7,300.00 remote technology grant from the Supreme Court of Ohio.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor
announced that the Court would be releasing $4 million in state-wide emergency grants to
assist the courts with the immediate acquisition of necessary equipment to allow remote access to the courts.
Pickaway County Probate / Juvenile Court will use the grant funds to purchase additional laptop computers with built-in cameras to enable the court to conduct mandatory hearings, conferences and allow the court and staff to communicate and to work remotely.
In securing the grant, Magistrate Shelly Harsha said that the additional computers are vital to maintaining court operations. “Pickaway County Probate / Juvenile Court has diligently worked to provide necessary services to the general public, while protecting the health and safety of the public, the staff and the court under the direction of Judge Jan Michael Long. With the additional technology, the court will be able to issue marriage licenses, conduct hearings and conferences essential to custody, companionship and support cases, as well as cases involving abuse, neglect and dependency, shelter care hearings and detention hearings. The probation department will be better equipped to service and maintain support to the youths. Remote access supplements and expands the court’s ability to serve the public, while making public health paramount. The Supreme Court of Ohio and its staff have done a remarkable job in identifying the courts’ need to embrace technology as a means of maintaining court access, while safeguarding the public’s health and in promptly making funds available to the courts to
meet those needs.”
