The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month by highlighting the work of employees who assist survivors of domestic violence.
While Domestic Violence Awareness Month is formally recognized in October, the Judicial Branch supports survivors year-round. Several departments within the Branch work directly or indirectly with survivors of domestic violence, and recently the Juvenile Department and the Mental Health Integration Team have been attending public events and collaborating more with community organizations to reach more people.
“Connecting the court to the community is key to all of us working together toward safe and healthy communities,” Community Outreach Director Beck said. “Through Branching Out, the Court’s outreach program, we seek to educate, engage and empower residents by meeting people where they are in the community.”
Through a Juvenile Department program called Reach 4 Resilience, Social Work Supervisor Cameran Fields and her team help domestic violence survivors with open dependency cases in Maricopa County.
“We provide outreach, resources and referrals tailored to each survivor’s unique needs. We also help survivors communicate more effectively so that their voices are heard throughout the process,” Fields said. “The ultimate goal is to support safety, stability and long-term success.”
Reach 4 Resilience supports approximately 20-25 survivors of domestic violence and their families each year.
“It is incredibly meaningful and humbling to walk alongside survivors. Their journeys often involve navigating incredibly complex systems, while also managing the trauma and challenges that come with abuse,” Fields said.
Similarly, Susyan Cardenas, a social worker with the Mental Health Integration Team, plays a central role in strengthening the connection between the court and community-based support services.
Through weekly in-person, virtual and walk-in sessions, she helps court customers receive neutral, non-clinical support from the team. The program offers guidance on a variety of services such as domestic violence prevention/assistance, shelter, housing, mental health care, financial assistance and other social services.
“I am deeply committed to supporting individuals impacted by domestic violence. It is incredibly rewarding to play a part in helping individuals find safety and begin the journey of rebuilding their lives,” Cardenas said. “Together, as a community, we must prioritize awareness, prevention and support for survivors to foster safer, healthier environments for all.”
As a neutral entity in each case, the Court offers access to legal and community resources to support all parties. The Law Library Resource Center (LLRC) provides self-help guides, forms and information specifically related to domestic violence procedures. Also, the Juvenile Department, through a grant by the Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family, ensures survivors have the advocacy, resources and tools needed to move forward safely and successfully. In some cases, survivors may choose to maintain their relationship, and in those situations, the goal is to support the family while keeping safety and survivor empowerment as the focus.
For more information on how Reach 4 Resilience supports survivors of domestic violence, contact: juveniledept@jbazmc.maricopa.gov. For domestic violence prevention or assistance resources, please visit: Mental Health Integration Team Resource Navigation