Key focuses on domestic violence, abuse and neglect, opioids and substance use, juvenile justice, and research

(Reno, Nev.) – The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) announced today that it received a record $14.9 million spanning 45 new and continuing awards for the 2019-2020 fiscal year; the highest amount in the organization’s 83-year history. The NCJFCJ is devoted to ensuring justice and improving outcomes for families and children in courts nationwide.

The NCJFCJ is the nation’s oldest judicial membership organization, providing judges with ongoing education, training, and technical assistance to make the best possible decisions for children and families in our courts.

The $14.9 million in funding will support NCJFCJ projects focused on a multitude of areas that include: domestic violence; child protection and custody; child welfare and foster care; opioids and substance use; tribal and state courts collaboration; sexual assault; domestic child sex trafficking; juvenile justice; trauma-informed justice; research and data; and more.

“The variety of diverse projects and initiatives funded this year reflect the expansive work the NCJFCJ does for juvenile and family courts nationwide,” said Judge Ramona A. Gonzalez, NCJFCJ president. “The NCJFCJ continues to be at the forefront and remains proactive in addressing the multitude of issues that affect the lives of children, families, and those affected by violence.”

This year, NCJFCJ received a $900k grant from the NoVo Foundation to support systems-based solutions to commercial sexual exploitation. This funding will assist NCJFCJ’s project to identify and promote promising practices in juvenile and family courts to address child sex trafficking. The NCJFCJ is excited to continue its partnership with the State Justice Institute on projects expanding the national implementation of the Enhanced Juvenile Justice Guidelines and issues facing children and military-connected families in courts.