The vital and important work of the NCJFCJ began in 1937 when a group of judges came together looking to improve the effectiveness of the nation's juvenile courts. And over the past 78 years, NCJFCJ has sought to address the myriad of issues in juvenile and family justice courts, among them:

-Child abuse and neglect
-Adoption and foster care
-Juvenile justice
-Family violence
-Victims of juvenile offenders
-Military issues
-Alcohol and drug abuse
-Termination of parental rights
-Custody and visitation
-Minority issues

Since 1969, the NCJFCJ has been affiliated with and headquartered on the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) campus. In 2016, the organization outgrew its University of Nevada Reno office and in April 2016 moved into new space in downtown Reno. The NCJFCJ will remain affiliated with UNR.

One of the largest and oldest judicial membership organizations in the nation, the NCJFCJ serves an estimated 30,000 professionals in the juvenile and family justice system including judges, referees, commissioners, court masters and administrators, social and mental health workers, police, and probation officers.

For those involved with juvenile, family, and domestic violence cases, the NCJFCJ provides the resources, knowledge, and training to improve the lives of families and children seeking justice. The NCJFCJ resources include:

-Cutting-edge educational programs
-Wide-ranging technical assistance
-Nationally respected research to assist juvenile and family courts
-Unique advanced degree programs for judges and other court professionals offered in conjunction with the University of Nevada, Reno and the National Judicial College