(June 19, 2017) Probate Judge Elinore Marsh Stormer presides over an assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) court in Summit County, Ohio, Monday through Friday. Many days up to twenty people gather for the proceedings, also called “New Day Court.” Judge Stormer invites them to approach the bench, one at a time. Unlike most courtrooms where the conversation between both parties is private, here, anyone in the room one can hear the exchange. That's by design. First to report are those who are doing well, so those newer to the program can hear the stories, and benefit.
“What we’re trying to tell people is: ‘Today’s a ‘new day,’ ” says Judge Stormer. Judge Stormer started “New Day” in 2016, after a long history of establishing court programs, including Akron Municipal Court’s drug court (1995) and mental health court (2001). ("Summit court program aims to help people with serious mental problems; New Day Court being held up as model," Akron Beacon Journal, June 4, 2017).
This is an AOT program where people with serious mental illness who meet specific criteria are ordered to participate in treatment plans appear regularly before a judge.
Typically AOT court proceedings are formal. Judge Stormer's formula for success, and indeed a model court for the country, is a slightly more informal and along the lines of a drug or mental health court. Judge Stormer exercises “therapeutic jurisprudence” in New Day Court, aware that the legal system can affect the emotions, behaviors and mental health of people. She is firm but compassionate and engaged. She often recognizes and rewards compliance with the program as well as individual victories with small gifts (e.g., movie tickets and cookies) donated by local businesses.
She also opens her court to other judges and magistrates who are interested in learning how to implement AOT in their communities. Always willing to share her experience with others, she invites guests to sit next to her on the bench so they can see the faces of the people in the program and experience the relationship building first hand. Visiting officials leave with a greater sense of how to successfully run such a program.
Her influence extends well beyond the state of Ohio. Judge Stormer recently participated in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations’ AOT training at the agency's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, walking participants through court procedure and providing her perspective on why she conducts court as she does. She noted that since January 2016, a total of 152 clients have been in the New Day Court. Of those, only 14 were rehospitalized while in the program and seven were rehospitalized after being released from the program.
During the two-day training, the judge had an opportunity to demonstrate her compassion and ability to connect with people in crisis. A young man asked to share his experience in an AOT program appeared to suffer from a case of nerves as he stood before the room of professionals. Judge Stormer quickly rose to the occasion by guiding him over to a table where the two sat down and had a casual conversation about his experience. When he finished, he received a standing ovation.
Judge Stormer, a member of the Treatment Advocacy Center board of directors, is a champion of people with severe mental illness in Summit County and their loved ones. We wish her continued success in New Day Court.
(Photo: Leah Klafczynski/Akron Beacon Journal)