On behalf of the Officers, the Board of Trustees, and the staff of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, I would like to welcome you to our website. I know that you will find it very informative and I encourage you to check it regularly for updated information.

Please take time to review the work we are doing in such critical areas as child abuse and neglect, family violence, substance abuse, delinquency and domestic relations. As the nation’s oldest judicial membership organization, we are excited about the cutting-edge work we are doing in a number of critical areas of the law, and are proud to be leaders in educating judges in myriad areas to improve how we respond to the needs of children and families in our courts. 

There is also a link to the National Center for Juvenile Justice, our research arm located in Pittsburgh, which is renowned for its research relied upon by courts and agencies around the country. Consistent with our vision and mission, we will continue to strive to provide you with the most current information regarding our training programs as well as the latest information in the fields of juvenile justice, family law, domestic violence and child welfare.

If you are already a member of the Council, thank you for your continued support of our work. If you are not yet a member, please consider becoming one on this visit to our website.  It will enrich your experience as a judicial officer, regardless of the type of work you do in your home courts. My first experience with the Council was when I attended a national, groundbreaking conference in San Francisco in 1993 entitled "Courts and Communities: Confronting Violence in the Family." It had a profound impact on my work as a judge in New Hampshire, and has led to a number of system improvements all around the country. Every encounter with the Council, whether through the Judicial Institutes on Domestic Violence, the Child Abuse and Neglect Institutes, or the many other training programs and conferences, has enriched my experiences, both personally and professionally. One of the great things about membership is that you can actively participate in the training and technical assistance that the Council is known for and to continue to acquire and improve upon the skills necessary to effectively work in what I consider to be the most important part of the judicial system. 

2007 marked the Council's 70th anniversary, a remarkable achievement for any organization. Special events, including two town hall meetings, were held to mark this notable anniversary, culminating with the Council's 70th Anniversary Gala Celebration on November 9, 2007, at which we were proud to have Henry Winkler, actor, producer, author, and children's activist, as the keynote speaker. Please also check our website for special giving opportunities commemorating our 70th year celebration!

I look forward to seeing you in person at one of the Council's many trainings during the next year. 

― Judge Susan B. Carbon, President, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges