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Child Welfare and Juvenile Law

The NCJFCJ Child Welfare and Juvenile Law Department supports judges and courts in improving outcomes for children and families involved in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The department provides training, technical assistance, research, and resources focused on best practices in areas such as child abuse and neglect, foster care, permanency, court improvement, and youth involved in delinquency proceedings. Our work helps courts make informed, trauma-responsive, and equitable decisions that promote safety, well-being, and lasting stability for children and families.

Key Initiatives

Child Abuse and Neglect

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The NCJFCJ works to improve how courts handle child abuse and neglect cases by promoting trauma-informed, equitable, and family-centered practices. Through training, technical assistance, and research, the NCJFCJ supports judges and courts in making informed decisions that enhance child safety, promote family well-being, and achieve timely permanency for children in care.
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Youth Justice Reform

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Youth offenders are different from adults due to developmental differences, primarily in their brain, which are less developed in areas for impulse control and decision-making. This leads to a different legal approach as the youth justice system focuses on rehabilitation and the child’s potential for change.  Youth may have the opportunity to receive services and become involved in alternative community programs rather than being confined and receiving only punitive approaches. Courts should respond differently when youth do harm and make mistakes and move toward more developmentally appropriate responses.
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Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Courts

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The NCJFCJ supports courts and judges in upholding the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to ensure the rights of Native children, families, and tribes are protected. Through training, technical assistance, and resource development, the NCJFCJ helps courts implement ICWA effectively, promote culturally responsive practices, and strengthen collaboration with tribal courts and communities to preserve family and cultural connections.
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Military-Connected Families

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Recent overseas conflicts and repeated deployments have placed significant stress on military members and their families, affecting family stability and reintegration. Juvenile and family courts often see the impacts through cases involving domestic violence, abuse or neglect, custody, and child support, requiring them to navigate both civilian and military systems while considering factors such as the neurobiological effects of combat.
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Resource Center for Courts on Child Trafficking

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Child sex and labor trafficking occurs every day across the U.S., with those in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems at higher risk. The NCJFCJ equips courts to address the complex needs of these victims, emphasizing the critical role of judges and the importance of community and system collaboration to protect and support trafficked youth.
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Foster Care and Adoption

The first and only Nevada president for NCJFCJ was Judge Mendoza from the Clark County District Court. He suggested the term Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to designate the lay court-appointed volunteers at a 1978 meeting. Now CASA is a nationwide organization that supports and promotes court-appointed advocates for abused or neglected children in order to provide children with a safe and healthy environment in permanent homes.

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