State Bar of Montana won for "Judicial Outreach with Montana Middle and Second Schools" - A central feature of an outreach program where there will be the creation and distribution of new materials concerning an independent judiciary for use in the schools. These materials will be available for replication on the State Bar’s website. A volunteer will coordinate speakers from the bench and bar for placement in the classrooms.

The Florida Bar and Florida Courts was selected for an ambitious program called "Increasing Public Awareness about Civic Education." It is designed to educate the general public about the extent of Floridians’ general awareness of the judiciary and the role the courts will be undertaking in Florida. This civic education program is particularly timely considering the Terri Schiavo case.

The Mariana Islands was chosen for "Law and the Freshman Legislator." There, judges, justices and legal educators will cover topics such as constitutional law, the interpretation and application of statutory law by the courts, and other relevant topics with freshman legislators. A fresh idea – and something worthwhile with prospects of making a difference.

South Carolina was rewarded for their "Supreme Court Institute." This 5½ day training regimen is a "teach the teachers" program. Modeled after a similar program in Wisconsin and modified for South Carolina, this program will educate public school educators about substantive law concerning the origin and role of separation of powers and the tools that establish our rule of law: the Constitution and statutory and common law. Teachers will receive training concerning "classroom implementation strategies" and "competition training" – all in an effort to more effectively educate their students.

Co-Chairs of the Judges’ Network: Hon. Cheryl D. Cesario and Douglas James Saloom

Subgrant Judges: Hon. Eric Levinson, Hon. Bernice Donald, Hon. Robert Pirraglia, Hon. Karl Grube and Richard Bien

Grantors: Judicial Division, National Conference of the Administrative Law Judiciary, National Conference of Specialized Court Judges and the Lawyers Conference

Staff: Gilda Fairley, Diversity & Outreach Manager