New York has ongoing efforts to support judicial families through our
Work/Life Assistance Program and through the statewide Lawyer Assistance
Trust.
The New York State Unified Court System's Work/Life
Assistance Program offers services through an independent professional
counseling service to employees and their families who may be contending
with personal problems or require assistance with care for a child or
an adult relative. This program is voluntary and confidential to the fullest
extent permitted by law. Judges, court personnel and their family members
may contact the counseling service directly at no cost through a toll-free
number, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is staffed with
professionals skilled in counseling, clinical psychology and social work
who are knowledgeable about the benefits available through the Court System
and will help identify or clarify the problem and suggest alternative
solutions.
The New York State Lawyer Assistance Trust,
now in its second year, was established by Chief Judge Kaye and the New
York State Court of Appeals to bring statewide resources and awareness
to the prevention and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse among judges,
lawyers, law faculty and students. Through its innovative grant program,
the Trust has provided financial support to statewide and local lawyer
assistance programs, which, in turn, provide services to members of the
legal profession and their families who are experiencing problems with
alcohol and/or drugs. These programs offer free, confidential assistance
to identify the problem, identify the appropriate resources and begin
the recovery process. Use of lawyer assistance services is strictly confidential
under Judiciary Law section 499. The Lawyer Assistance Trust also provides
educational programs on alcohol and substance abuse, depression and other
stressors on judges, lawyers and their families.
In addition to these ongoing programs, the court system regularly engages
in efforts that respond to particular needs of judges, court employees,
and judicial families. For example, in response to the September 11 terrorist
attacks, the New York State Unified Court System established, in cooperation
with the Fund for the City of New York, a special "Court Families
Assistance Fund" to aid court system employees and their families
who have been affected by the World Trade Center disaster.