How to establish (and maintain) navigator program funding
In this session, students will learn from established court navigator programs about the realities of funding and sustainability.
The discussion will address key questions such as:
- How much funding is truly required to operate a program?
- Can a program succeed on a limited budget?
- What are the essential resources needed to get started?
Students will gain practical insights into budgeting, resource allocation, and strategies for building a financially viable program. They will also be able to identify potential funding sources to support court navigator programs and understand how to use data and program information to strengthen future funding requests and proposals for program expansion.
Court Navigator School is a series of one-hour virtual webinar sessions that provide information, ideas, and tangible suggestions to help you start a navigator program or enhance your existing program. Our lecture sessions cover important topics to help you start a program or enhance your existing program. Additional "study hall" sessions will provide structured, online technical assistance and advice from national experts and a place to share ideas with colleagues, exchange information, and explore possibilities in your jurisdiction in a small group setting.
Faculty:
- Lisa Armour, managing attorney Self Help Center and Dispute Resolution Department, Franklin County (Ohio) Municipal Court
- Robby Southers, Ohio Access to Justice Foundation
- Stacey Weiler, director of grants & access to justice, Illinois Bar Foundation
Future Court Navigator School sessions:
- Session 5: Collecting & using court navigator program data
- Friday, June 5
Study hall dates:
- May 1
- June 26
Previous Court Navigator School sessions:
- Session 1: What do court navigator programs do: An overview & partnerships, part 1
- Friday, Oct. 3, 2025
- Faculty: Mary Ferwerda, chief deputy clerk of circuit court, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin; Mary McClymont, senior fellow, Georgetown Justice Lab; Rob Wall, senior court management consultant, NCSC
- Session 2: How to train court navigator staff, part 1
- Friday, Dec. 5, 2025
- Faculty: Jill Roberts, deputy director, access to justice division, Illinois Courts
- Session 3: Using technology & remote services in navigator programs, part 1
- Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
- Faculty: Sheriece M. Perry, director, court services and law libraries department, Massachusetts Trial Courts Office of Court Management
Explore more
What do court navigator programs do: An overview & partnerships
Learn what makes a court navigator program successful by understanding the purpose and scope of court navigator programs and wide range of services provided. Faculty will discuss how navigator programs build and maintain strong partnerships with a variety of entities, including access to justice commissions, universities, civil legal aid providers, clerk's offices, courts, and other key stakeholders.
Collecting & using court navigator program data, part 1
Explore how court navigator programs strategically collect and analyze data to enhance service delivery and communicate impact to secure and sustain funding.
Collecting & using court navigator program data, part 2
Discuss ways your court navigator program can strategically collect and analyze data to enhance service delivery and communicate impact to secure and sustain funding.