Become an Implementation Site
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) is pleased to invite applicants from state and tribal dependency courts to participate in the Implementation Sites Project. The NCJFCJ, with funding from the Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), has partnered with courts across the country since 1992 to improve the way courts handle child abuse and neglect proceedings, and to improve the court experience for children and families.
The NCJFCJ is selecting new state and tribal court sites to participate in this two-year project. The selected sites will receive training, technical assistance, and support from the NCJFCJ and national experts to implement the principles and recommendations set forth in the Enhanced Resource Guidelines, the NCJFCJ’s blueprint for best practices in abuse and neglect proceedings. New implementation sites will be “laboratories for change” as they work to implement best practices in child welfare proceedings while sharing with, and learning from, nearly 30 other sites across the country. There is no direct funding available for participating courts.
Eligibility
The NCJFCJ will select new Implementation Sites based on the following criteria:
- Tribal or state courts that hear dependency/child abuse and neglect cases (a combination of tribal and state courts will be selected)
- Geographical location and size of court jurisdiction. (a mix of locations and sizes will be selected)
- Readiness for change as indicated by the court’s ability to assess current practices and infrastructure; the existence of collaborative efforts and/or a willingness to form collaborative structures; and the readiness and openness of the court and stakeholders to participate in the change process.
- Support from the presiding or supervisory judge in your jurisdiction.
To learn more about the project and answer any questions you have, the NCJFCJ is hosting two virtual informational sessions.
- Monday November 17, 2025 at 12:00pm EST / 9:00am PST REGISTER
- Monday December 1, 2025 at 3:00pm EST / 12:00pm PST REGISTER
For more information about the project, including how to apply, please download the application packet. The packet includes a sample application so you can review the information needed before completing the survey. For more information about the Implementation Sites Project or the application process, please contact Andrew Wachter, NCJFCJ Sr. Program Manager, at awachter@ncjfcj.org
Next Steps
Completed Applications Due December 19, 2025