NCJFCJ Executive Director Mary V. Mentaberry, received two national awards in April.

On April 12, 2008, the National Center for State Courts awarded Ms. Mentaberry the 2008 Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest awards presented by the NCSC. The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to a person who has made longstanding contributions to the improvement of the justice system and who has supported the mission of the Washington, D.C.-based NCSC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice and providing leadership, research, technology, education, and training to the state courts.

NCSC President Mary McQueen presented the award to Ms. Mentaberry at a dinner during NCSC’s Board of Directors meeting in Denver, Colo. “Through her long association with NCJFCJ, Mary Mentaberry has capably served the interests of children, families, and judges,” McQueen said. “Her work at NCJFCJ has been crucial in building the research, technical assistance, and teaching skills that courts need to address the critical needs of dependent and neglected children.”

On April 17, the National Association of Children of Alcoholics honored Ms. Mentaberry during their 25th Anniversary dinner in Washington, D.C. She was one of 25 recipients recognized for their service to the field and for carrying out NACoA’s mission of advocating for all children and families affected by alcoholism and other drug dependencies. Among the 25 co-recipients was Congressman Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island.

Mary V. Mentaberry has served as Executive Director of NCJFCJ since October 2004. A graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Ms. Mentaberry has worked in a number of positions at NCJFCJ over the past three decades, including as Director of the organization’s Permanency Planning for Children Department from 1996 to 2004.