The NCJFCJ presented the Child Abuse and Neglect Institute (CANI) in Reno. The CANI brought together an outstanding group of expert judicial faculty and other subject matter experts to engage participants through exemplary instruction, case scenarios, and other active learning strategies. Some of the core topics of CANI include: the leadership role of the judge in child abuse and neglect cases; a review of federal laws and policies that drive the child abuse and neglect process; the Indian Child Welfare Act; reasonable efforts in judicial decision making; judicial ethics; and emerging issues in child welfare.

The NCJFCJ is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to provide targeted support to the Elko County Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Team, which is implementing the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Guidelines and other key recommended practices. The NCJFCJ provides targeted support through court assessments, on-site court observation, strategic planning activities, peer-to-peer learning, and individualized training.

Working with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Children Youth and Family Services, the NCJFCJ has developed the Nevada Center for Juvenile Justice Innovation, an evidence-based program resource center to support the adoption of best practices in Nevada’s juvenile justice system.

As part of Nevada’s ongoing efforts to improve the handling of guardianship cases, the NCJFCJ partners with the Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts to develop training for judicial officers and lay guardians on less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, rights of the protected person, monitoring of guardianships, and guardianship procedures. The National Center for State Courts is another partner on this project, and it is collecting data on how the district courts manage guardianship cases and make recommendations for improvement.

The NCJFCJ hosted the six Judicial Engagement Network (JEN) fellows who make up the fourth class of the JEN Fellowship Program at its Reno office. The JEN Fellows worked on their projects, received peer to peer support, engaged in strategic planning, discussed judicial leadership and system change, and prepared for project sustainability beyond the Fellowship Program.

The Washoe County NCJFCJ Mentor Child Abuse and Neglect Model Court and the Clark County Mentor Child Abuse and Neglect Model Court are recognized for their efforts to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children, juvenile offenders, and their families.

Patricia Cafferata of Reno is a Board Director of the NCJFCJ. Melissa “Missy” Young, Chief Information Officer at Switch in Las Vegas, serves on the NCJFCJ’s Amicus Council. Joseph Asher, Michael J. Brown, Patricia Cafferata, Sandy Gamba, Paul Georgeson, Jeanne Karadanis, and Melissa “Missy” Young are Sustaining Members of the NCJFCJ. Judge Jennifer Klapper of Tonopah was a 2023 Days on the Hill Delegate.