In this issue of the Ohio Children, Families, and the Courts Bulletin, an article briefly examines Ohio's role in the birth and growth of the family court idea, places Ohio family courts in the current national context, characterizes the various types of family court approaches being taken across the State, and provides an in-depth look at innovative family courts in selected Ohio counties. This article is followed by an update on Ohio's Alternative Response project (alternative approaches in responding to cases of child maltreatment) and an update on an evaluation of the project being conducted by the Institute of Applied Research (IAR). Additional update information is provided on the supreme court's adoption of a new rule to govern guardian ad litem standards in Ohio, effective March 2009. Figures and tables