A Message from the NCJFCJ President of the Board of Directors and CEO
People around the world demand justice for George Floyd and the countless victims of violence and brutality. There can be no justice without compassion, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) express our sincere condolences to the families who have suffered an unimaginable loss. We acknowledge and understand that the time for transformational and peaceful change is now. The NCJFCJ stands determined, committed, and able to play a central role in positive systematic reform efforts to accomplish these goals.
Our institutional values of compassion, leadership, education, and community are fundamental to who we are. These values imbue our efforts to provide all judges, courts, and agencies involved with juvenile, family, and domestic violence cases with the knowledge and skills to improve the lives of children and families who seek justice.
The NCJFCJ is committed to continuing to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, as we understand the juvenile and family court system disproportionally impacts poor communities and racial and ethnic minorities. Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the judiciary are vital to upholding public trust and confidence in the legal system.
Our members, leaders, and everyone at the NCJFCJ must reflect the children, families, and individuals we serve who have been affected by trauma and violence. We will continue to provide judicial education and programs that remain relevant, culturally appropriate, and responsive to historical trauma; programs that ensure judges understand the necessity of diversity, inclusion, and equity, including racial and ethnic identity. We will continue to listen, learn, and work diligently to serve our communities to improve the effectiveness and fairness of our nation’s juvenile and family courts.
The NCJFCJ’s vision is for a society in which every family and child has access to fair, equal, effective, and timely justice, which has always and will continue to include racial justice.
Hon. Ramona A. Gonzalez, NCJFCJ President of the Board of Directors
Joey Orduña Hastings, NCJFCJ CEO