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The NCJFCJ Behavioral Health program is pivotal in providing training and technical assistance that addresses crucial and complex topics that courts face daily, such as mental health, trauma, substance use, child and adolescent development, social and emotional learning, educational health, and wellness.  

Behavioral Health is uniquely and strategically embedded within each of the NCJFCJ’s programs: Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Family Violence, Domestic Relations, and our research division, the National Center for Juvenile Justice. 

The NCJFCJ understands the unique needs that youth and families face in courts, communities, and related systems; therefore, we encourage a multidisciplinary approach when serving youth and families that bring all the key players to the table that provide critical wrap around services and systemic support. We accomplish this through a variety of programs, events, and initiatives.  

Trauma audits are a valuable service offered by the NCJFCJ to help courts and child welfare systems assess how trauma-informed their policies, practices, and environments are. Through on-site observations, interviews, and data review, NCJFCJ experts identify strengths and areas for growth, offering tailored recommendations to improve responses to children and families who have experienced trauma. The goal is to build more compassionate, effective systems that promote healing, resilience, and positive outcomes for all involved.

Judicial Leadership-Wellness-Connection Initiative

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The goal of the NCJFCJ’s Judicial Wellness-Connection-Leadership Initiative is to promote judicial well-being and to help court professionals develop strategies to mitigate the impact of stress that is inherent in their work. Engaging in practices that develop positive physical and mental states of being increase self-awareness, connection with ourselves, and a deeper sense of community.
NCJFCJ members can now access BetterHelp — the world’s largest online therapy platform — as part of their member benefits! Enjoy convenient, confidential counseling from licensed therapists anytime, anywhere. As an added benefit, your first month is free when you sign up through the NCJFCJ member portal. Take care of your mental health — because supporting others starts with supporting yourself.

Monday Morning Moments

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Monday Morning Moments is the NCJFCJ’s wellness webinar series for court professionals.

Each monthly webinar is offered FREE of charge by the NCJFCJ and OurFamilyWizard and takes place at 8 a.m. PST on the second Monday of each month.

Wellness Symposium

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Each year, the NCJFCJ offers an innovative training experience designed to enhance judicial leadership and well-being. Held in the serene setting of California’s Sonoma Valley, this program provides an opportunity for participants to engage in meaningful conversations about the realities of judicial service while developing practical tools to prevent burnout and strengthen personal resilience. The training is thoughtfully designed to support judges to improve their quality of life—both on and off the bench.

Why Behavioral Health?

At the NCJFCJ, we recognize the power that behavioral health education has within the judiciary, both internally and externally, to promote positive behavior and healthy outcomes, prevent mental health issues, create connections to community and appropriately aligned services, and to improve overall well-being for everyone that our courts serve.