Family Justice Initiative recommendations aim to strengthen families and increase access to justice statewide.
The Family Justice Initiative, led by the New York State Unified Court System in partnership with the Center for Justice Innovation, with funding from the New York Governor’s Office, released a set of recommendations that chart a shared path forward, putting families at the center of the court system in New York State.
The goal of the Family Justice Initiative (the Initiative) and its’ recommendations is to strengthen New York families by reducing and preventing system involvement, encouraging communication and collaboration between courts and communities, and prioritizing holistic responses that break cycles of trauma and address families’ underlying needs.
Family court can be a high-stress experience for parents, guardians, and children facing custody decisions, child support needs, or allegations of abuse or neglect. The Initiative’s recommendations better position family courts throughout New York as a place to address these complex needs, relying on enhanced community-based support and care whenever possible. In the often overburdened and under-resourced Family Court, investment and coordination are needed to achieve the recommendations put forth by the Initiative.
The recommendations fall into three key categories:
- Prevention before intervention through community justice and capacity building.
- Addressing family issues outside of the court system when possible, through court and community partnerships and improving the process when system involvement is unavoidable.
- Enhancing court responses to promote a more trauma-informed system, support better outcomes for everyone involved, and help families heal and thrive.
Launched in May 2024, the Family Justice Initiative brought practitioners, leaders, and impacted families together to create a shared vision and strategic plan for the future of Family Court.
The Initiative’s plan reflects the consensus of a diverse group of partners committed to creating and implementing a vision for Family Court that strengthens families, reduces system involvement, and breaks cycles of trauma. The Permanent Commission on Justice for Families, established in February 2025, shares many of the goals identified by the Initiative and has already begun to implement some of the recommendations that align with Commission priorities, as well as develop new ideas, and to oversee and track the overall impact that these changes will have on the families served in Family Court.
The Center has already begun to implement one key element of the long-term vision for the courts with the launch of the Family Court Practice Institute, a new initiative that will connect, support, and train lawyers, social workers, and other legal professionals across New York State. To promote effective, responsive, and trauma-informed legal representation and court culture, the Institute will offer online and in-person trainings, resources, and peer learning opportunities in evidence-based approaches and the latest research in child development and trauma.
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“The Family Justice Initiative’s recommendations put families first by supporting children and families at the earliest possible stage to prevent later court involvement and strengthening court-community partnerships so families can address issues like parenting conflicts in their communities rather than bring them to court. The initiative’s report, reflecting the consensus of a wide range of partners, also spells out clear strategies we can take together to make these family-centered and community-centered practices a reality,” said Courtney Bryan, CEO of the Center for Justice Innovation.
“New York’s families deserve a justice system that strengthens them rather than overwhelms them. The Family Justice Initiatives’ newly released report provides a comprehensive blueprint for making our courts more accessible, more responsive, and more attuned to the realities facing children and caregivers. By expanding problem‑solving approaches, reducing unnecessary system involvement, and ensuring that families can navigate our courts with dignity and support, we can build a system that truly promotes safety, stability, and opportunity,” said Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson. “I am extraordinarily grateful for our partnership with the Governor’s Office and for the thoughtful and diligent work of all who contributed to this effort. The Unified Court System is committed to advancing these recommendations so that every family entering our doors exits with a brighter future.”
“Meaningful reform relies on sustained investment and innovation. To build a more equitable family justice system, we must strengthen legal services, expand problem‑solving court models, and increase access to alternative pathways for resolving conflict,” said Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson. “Many of the issues highlighted in today’s report will continue to be addressed by Chief Judge Wilson’s Permanent Commission on Justice for Families. I am grateful for the Family Justice Initiative’s thoughtful work, and the momentum it brings as we pursue these essential improvements.”
“Every day, our courts see the persistent challenges facing children, youth, and families in communities across our State, with today’s report underscoring how urgently we must implement and expand problem-solving models that more holistically and humanely address the needs of New York’s at-risk families,” said Statewide Coordinating Judge for Family Court Matters Richard Rivera. “I welcome the report’s insights and look forward to continued collaboration with our justice system stakeholders to ensure that families receive the fair, timely, and effective support they deserve.”
“The Family Court welcomes this collaborative, forward-looking approach. Strengthening early intervention and expanding access to supportive services will allow us to more effectively address the justice needs of New York children and caregivers in a more impactful and focused manner, said New York City Family Court Administrative Judge Anne-Marie Jolly. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that children and families receive the support needed, at the earliest possible opportunity, to strengthen family stability, address challenges, and build a more positive path forward.”