Chief Justice Newby Joins Cumberland County Courts for Sesame Street in Communities Workshop

Chief Justice Paul Newby joined judges, court officials, treatment providers, and community partners in Cumberland County today for a workshop designed to help courts better serve children and families affected by parental addiction, incarceration, and recovery.

The 14th Judicial District was selected by All Rise’s Center for Advancing Justice to host a Sesame Street in Communities (SSIC) workshop. The training brings together approximately 60 participants from Cumberland County and surrounding communities to explore ways to incorporate Sesame Street resources into the court system.

“Our courts have an important role to play in connecting families with resources and creating an environment where children can feel secure,” said Chief Justice Paul Newby. “I commend the 14th Judicial District and its community partners. By working together, we can help ensure that children remain a priority when their families encounter the justice system.”

All Rise’s Center for Advancing Justice works with courts and justice-system professionals to address substance use and mental health issues while promoting recovery. Through its partnership with Sesame Street in Communities, the Center provides free educational tools, family-centered resources, and child-friendly play spaces to help justice-involved families.

The workshop focuses on three primary goals:

• Reducing trauma: Creating safe, welcoming, and child-friendly spaces in courthouses that can help ease children's stress when they accompany family members to court.
• Providing age-appropriate education: Using Sesame Street characters, videos, and activities to help children understand addiction and incarceration and reinforce messages that addiction is not their fault.
• Training professionals: Equipping judges, court personnel, case managers, treatment providers, and other community partners with tools to communicate with children and families and support their path toward healing and recovery.

Research and experience have shown that children with a parent involved in the justice system can experience increased exposure to trauma and other adverse childhood experiences. All Rise's Center for Advancing Justice works with justice-system professionals to address those effects and strengthen family relationships.

The Sesame Street in Communities partnership is part of All Rise’s broader effort to help courts implement evidence-informed approaches that support children and families affected by substance use and justice-system involvement. The Center provides training and technical assistance to help jurisdictions incorporate these resources into their court programs.