The number of ways in which videoconferencing can be used is truly staggering, as evidenced by one western Pennsylvania county’s recent deployment. Allegheny County, PA, which is known more for its steel mills and love of the Pittsburgh Steelers than most anything else, now has one of the nation’s first videoconferencing programs specifically designated for its children’s court system.

The county’s videoconferencing technology, which was just secured through a unique public-private partnership, is aimed at reducing the trauma children experience when testifying in abuse and custody cases. By allowing children to testify from unique kid-friendly locations–such as a mobile child-friendly testimony unit–children no longer have to appear in front of those who have allegedly abused or neglected them or their siblings.

Clearly, the use of videoconferencing in child protection and custody matters is a best practice that’s worth noting. By improving court experiences for children, videoconferencing enables the expansion of the scope of participation outside of the justice and corrections systems to include all cases where children are impacted.

Kudos to Child Watch of Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Children’s Court, and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services for having the insight to use videoconferencing in such a unique and profound way, as well for having our children’s best interests at heart.

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