Template for Assessing Status of COOP (Continued Operations) Planning: Louisiana District Courts

Abstract

This Template was developed at the request of the Louisiana Supreme Court, Office of the Judicial Administrator, by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Criminal Courts Technical Assistance Project at American University to provide guidance for assessing the status of COOP Planning in Louisiana's District Courts five years after the devastating destruction caused by the hurricane, Katrina.. The purpose of the template is to provide (1) a framework for assessing the degree and adequacy of COOP planning, along with training and/or technical assistance needs identified; (2) a point of reference regarding the essential elements for COOP Planning in each of the 15 functional areas addressed; and (3) an indication of areas for further training and/or technical assistance useful to enhance COOP planning efforts. The template is designed to promote a review of the court's functions in toto in order to sustain an adequate COOP planning process.. Although the template is organized around functional areas, each should be addressed comprehensively, recognizing that each of these areas is irrelated and cannot be approached in isolation. The COOP planning process is therefore intended to promote the collaborative and cooperative dialogue and relationships necessary to ensure the continuity of the judicial function and the rule of law in the event of both an emergency and the post-emergency recovery process.