March 2022

Dr. Rebecca Nathanson and Graduate Assistant Elizabeth Messina presented their study, “Preparing children for court during COVID:  An evaluation of remote delivery of a model program,” at the American Psychology-Law Society annual conference.  Their research examines the efficacy of remote delivery of the Kids’ Court School Program on children’s court-related anticipatory anxiety.

October 2021

Although the Kids’ Court School is designed to educate children with impending legal proceedings about the court process, Girl Scout Troop 179 participated in the program on and learned about the pre-trial and trial processes and strategies, such as positive self-talk and deep breathing, to reduce anxiety in the courtroom. The scouts then participated in mock trials where they each had the opportunity to be both the judge and a witness. One scout, Liz, sent a thank you note saying, “Thank you for the tour at the court. I had a fun time. I liked being the judge. I got scared when I was a witness though. I liked the true and false game. It was fun. I liked my prizes too. Thank you for all you have done.”

May 2021

Dr. Rebecca Nathanson and Graduate Assistant Elizabeth Messina were awarded a College of Education Summer Research Fellowship. Their research examined the efficacy of remote delivery of the Kids’ Court School Program on children’s court-related anticipatory anxiety.