No Independent Oversight Body in Kalamazoo County

While most Michigan counties have established Citizen Advisory Committees to oversee their Friend of the Court operations, Kalamazoo County has none. This means there is no independent body reviewing the FOC's 100% grievance denial rate or investigating whether denials are justified.

Michigan law provides for this oversight. The State Court Administrative Office says that only two of 75 FOC offices in Michigan have active Citizen Advisory Committees: Kent County and Macomb County. Kalamazoo County is not one of them.

"Kalamazoo County does not have a Citizen Advisory Committee. There is no independent body reviewing whether these denials are justified."

This is a critical gap in accountability. The Kalamazoo Transparency Act is exposing the problem and showing exactly how citizens can demand one.

What Is a Citizen Advisory Committee?

A Citizen Advisory Committee is a 9-member independent board of county residents that provides oversight of the Friend of the Court. Michigan law (MCL 552.504) authorizes every county to establish one.

Under the law, the CAC:

  • Reviews and investigates every grievance filed against the FOC
  • Can disagree with the FOC's response and put that disagreement on record
  • Submits annual reports to the county board, court, SCAO, governor's office, and the state legislature
  • Advises the circuit court and county board on the FOC's duties, performance, and community needs

"The CAC reviews and investigates every grievance filed against the FOC. They can disagree with the FOC's response and put that disagreement on record."

In Kent County, the CAC overruled the FOC on a denied grievance in 2023. This shows the oversight mechanism working.

Who Serves on a Citizen Advisory Committee?

According to MCL 552.504, a CAC must include:

  • A noncustodial parent
  • A custodial parent
  • A family law attorney
  • County Sheriff or designee
  • Prosecuting Attorney or designee
  • Family Independence Agency director
  • A mental health professional (family counseling)
  • Two members of the general public

The committee must reflect community ethnic, racial, and gender diversity. Members are appointed by the County Board of Commissioners and serve 3-year terms with staggered appointments. Meetings must be open to the public.

The Data Demands Action

Between 2020 and 2024, eighteen grievances were filed against the Kalamazoo County Friend of the Court. Every single one resulted in zero corrective actions. No changes to office operations and no personnel actions were taken. The denial and nongrievable rate is 100 percent.

Kent County's CAC agreed with all 14 grievances in 2022. Macomb County has an active CAC that reviews grievances and reports publicly. Kalamazoo County has neither oversight nor accountability.

"Between 2020 and 2024, eighteen grievances were filed against the Kalamazoo County FOC. Every single one resulted in zero corrective actions."

The Kalamazoo Transparency Act is making it impossible to ignore. Every number on this page comes from state-published reports. The FOC's own grievance data tells the story.

How Citizens Can Demand a Citizen Advisory Committee

The Kalamazoo Transparency Act outlines four steps for citizens to demand a CAC:

1. Petition the Chief Judge

The Chief Judge of the 9th Circuit Court has the authority to support the establishment of a CAC. A formal written petition backed by data showing systemic failure in the grievance process creates a public record.

Chief Judge, 9th Circuit Court

Hon. Gary C. Giguere, Jr.

Chief Circuit/Probate Judge since 2022

Mailing address: 9th Circuit Court, 1536 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Phone: (269) 383-8837

Family Division: (269) 385-6000

2. Contact Every County Commissioner

Under MCL 552.504, the County Board of Commissioners establishes the CAC and appoints its members. They also control the FOC's budget. They can condition funding on establishing a CAC, request an independent audit of grievance handling, or pass a resolution calling for one.

Board meetings: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Committee of the Whole at 4:00 PM, Regular Board at 6:30 PM. Address: 201 W. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Phone: (269) 384-8111.

3. Escalate to the State

File with the SCAO and Judicial Tenure Commission. MCL 552.519 gives the SCAO oversight authority over FOC offices. If a pattern of zero corrective actions suggests the grievance process is broken, citizens can escalate directly.

SCAO/FOCB: P.O. Box 30048, Lansing, MI 48909, (517) 373-5975

Judicial Tenure Commission: 3034 W. Grand Blvd., Suite 8-350, Detroit, MI 48202, (313) 875-5110

4. Change the Law

Push your state legislators to make CACs mandatory again. The SCAO submits these grievance reports directly to the legislature. That is not an accident. The law was designed so lawmakers could see this data.

A bill requiring CACs in counties above a denial rate threshold would fix this statewide.

What to Say When You Demand a CAC

The Kalamazoo Transparency Act provides exact language for citizens to use when calling, writing, or showing up at meetings:

"I am a Kalamazoo County resident and I am requesting the establishment of a Citizen Advisory Committee for the Friend of the Court under MCL 552.504a. Between 2020 and 2024, eighteen grievances were filed against the Kalamazoo County FOC. Every single one resulted in zero corrective actions. No changes to office operations and no personnel actions. The denial and nongrievable rate is 100 percent. Kalamazoo County does not have a Citizen Advisory Committee. There is no independent body reviewing whether these denials are justified. Only 2 of 75 FOC offices in Michigan have active CACs. Kent County and Macomb County. I am asking you to use your authority to establish a CAC for Kalamazoo County, appoint its nine members as required by statute, and ensure independent oversight of the FOC grievance process. This is not optional accountability. It is a mechanism that Michigan law provides for exactly this situation."

The Data Is Public. The Pattern Is Clear.

The data is public. The pattern is clear. Every number on this page comes from state-published reports. The FOC's own grievance data tells the story. The Kalamazoo Transparency Act just made it impossible to ignore.

"The data is public. The pattern is clear. Every number on this page comes from state-published reports."

Visit the Kalamazoo Transparency Act website to view the FOC data API endpoints and learn more about how to demand accountability.

Kalamazoo Transparency Act: https://www.kalamazootransparencyact.com

FOC Data: https://www.kalamazootransparencyact.com/9th-circuit/family/foc

Citizen Advisory Committee Page: https://www.kalamazootransparencyact.com/cac