Bill would standardize childhood courts.

Florida's early childhood courts are doing such a good job protecting infants and toddlers from disintegrating families that lawmakers are being asked to take the program to the next level.

A bill that seeks to make 21 separate early childhood courts in Florida more uniform by putting them under the Office of State Courts Administrator, passed the Senate Children Families and Elder Affairs Committee late last month and cleared the Appropriations Subcommittee on Civil and Criminal Justice March 6.

The measure, SB 90, is sponsored by Committee Chair Lauren Book, a Broward County Democrat and noted children's advocate. Book told Children Families and Elder Affairs Committee members that as of January 9, there were 13,175 abused or neglected children, ages 0-3, in dependency courts in Florida. And their age, Book said, makes them especially vulnerable to trauma.

"The purpose of an early childhood court program is to address the root cause of court involvement through specialized dockets, multi-disciplinary teams, evidence-based treatment and the use of a non-adversarial approach," Book said. "Research proves that the first 1,000 days of life is the most critical time for rapid brain development ... and conversely, the most vulnerable time for maltreatment."

Also known as "baby courts," early childhood courts are problem-solving courts for parents who agree to address mental health, substance abuse, and other issues in hopes of eventually restoring their parental rights. Clinical teams funded mostly by local governments and area non-profits work with parents, young children, and judges to repair the problems that led to dependency court.

State and national studies suggest the approach is working. In 2016, children in Florida who participated in early childhood courts spent 112 fewer days in state care than children who were in regular dependency court, according to one study. Recidivism rates for early childhood court participants were also lower, studies show.

"I've been a judge for 30 years and I've never seen a single program that has more potential for changing the lives of this very vulnerable demographic," said Senior Judge Lee Haworth, who presides over an early childhood court in the 12th Circuit. "The goal is to break the multigenerational cycle of abuse with these kids. We're saving lives." The program is also cost-effective, Haworth said.

"When we talk...