Court creates independent committee to oversee problem-solving court certification program
The Florida Supreme Court has approved revisions to its recently created Problem-Solving Court Certification Program and established a new, independent committee to oversee it.
Acting January 6 in AOSC26-2, Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz directed that the new Problem-Solving Court Certification Committee will assume responsibility for reviewing certification applications, conducting site visit assessments, and making final certification decisions. The move follows a pilot program involving six adult drug courts and recommendations from the Supreme Court’s Steering Committee on Problem-Solving Courts.
The court said the revisions are designed to streamline the process, reduce the time between application submission and certification decisions, and clarify expectations. Among other changes, the updated program:
- Establishes two application windows each year
- Limits the number of courts that may apply during each cycle
- Clarifies data collection requirements
- Clarifies who may serve as peer reviewers for site visits
The certification program is voluntary and is intended to ensure that problem-solving courts adhere to evidence-based best practices, enhance statewide operations, and improve participant outcomes. The program currently applies to adult drug courts and will expand to other types of problem-solving courts as resources allow.
The new Certification Committee will immediately assume all responsibilities previously assigned to the Steering Committee under the original 2023 order that created the program.
The court appointed the following members to the committee:
- Judge Melanie G. May, Fourth District Court of Appeal (chair through 2026)
- Catherine White, director of case management, First Judicial Circuit
- Judge Lori Cotton, Marion County
- Cliford Cineas, director of pathways, Ibis Healthcare
- Lt. Leslie Weidenhammer, behavioral health bureau supervisor, Collier County Sheriff’s Office
The committee will also have authority to make operational adjustments to the certification program and is expected to coordinate closely with the Steering Committee during the transition. Staff support will be provided by the Office of the State Courts Administrator, and the court is encouraging the committee to conduct its work as economically as possible.
Certification decisions may result in full certification, provisional certification, or denial. Courts receiving provisional certification will be given time to correct deficiencies. Denials may be appealed to the committee chair.
Two application cycles will be offered each year, with approximately 10 courts accepted per cycle.
