The Center for Families, Children & the Courts (CFCC) is a division of the Judicial Council's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

The 27-member Judicial Council is the policymaking body of the California courts, the largest court system in the nation. Under the leadership of the Chief Justice and in accordance with the California Constitution, the council is responsible for ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice. The Administrative Office of the Courts carries out the official actions of the council and advances leadership and excellence in California court administration.

The Center for Families, Children & the Courts is involved with many projects related to family, juvenile, child support, custody, visitation, and domestic violence law and procedure. Ongoing projects include developing rules, forms, and standards; providing training, education, and grants; and coordinating research and statistical analysis. CFCC also initiates projects involving issues of juvenile dependency, victim reconciliation, and court access. We disseminate information through newsletters, Web sites, brochures, and information centers. Learn more about the many projects by clicking here.

Hodson Award
The Center for Families, Children and the Courts is the recipient of the American Bar Association's 2003 Hodson Award which honors outstanding government or public sector law offices.

The ABA reported that "[t]hrough several innovative programs, CFCC has improved the quality of justice and services for children, families and pro se litigants in California courts. Programs developed by CFCC include an award-winning self-help website with fill-in-the-blank form pleadings and instructions in plain English and Spanish, the establishment of family law facilitators in every California county to assist unrepresented parents in family law child support proceedings, and the establishment of children's waiting rooms and activity books in English and Spanish that teach children about the court system."

"The dedicated public servants at the Center for Families, Children and the Courts have worked persistently to remove barriers to justice in California's courts," said Downey. "We are proud to honor their important efforts."

Visit http://www.abanet.org/media/jul03/072803.html for more information.