Child Abuse and Neglect Institute (CANI)
Virtual via Zoom
June 2 – 6, 2025
Register
The NCJFCJ’s training for dependency court judges, the Child Abuse and Neglect Institute (CANI) provides instruction for new or experienced judges on the knowledge and skills necessary to preside over an effective child abuse and neglect court process. Participants will also receive instruction on emerging and promising practices to improve outcomes for children and families in the child welfare system. This NCJFCJ model program has provided exceptional training to judges for over 25 years. CANI brings together an outstanding cadre of expert judicial faculty and other subject matter experts to engage participants through exemplary instruction, case scenarios, and other active learning strategies. Over the four-day, in-person training participants will have opportunities to engage and network with faculty and other attendees. This leads to long-lasting collegial relationships that allow for information sharing long after participants graduate from CANI and return to their jurisdictions.
Some of the highlighted topics of CANI include:
- The leadership role of the judge in child abuse and neglect cases
- 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
- Emerging issues in child welfare – including domestic violence and the intersection with child maltreatment; substance abuse and permanency planning; bias in decision-making; child development, bonding, and attachment; the impact of neglect and trauma; trauma-informed court practice; and medical issues in child abuse and neglect
- Applying the core best practices outlined in the Enhanced Resource Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
Who Should Attend?
The institute program is for judicial officers only. CANI is designed for all experience levels, whether it be judges newly assigned to child abuse and neglect cases or more experienced judges who wish to stay up to date on changing laws, policies, and nationally recommended strategies. The NCJFCJ seeks a geographically diverse group of participants representing state and tribal courts. Please consider all judges in your state, including tribal judges.
Registration Information
NCJFCJ CANI Registration Fee – $1,495*
*If you are not a current member of the NCJFCJ, included in the registration fee, you will receive an Associate or Judicial Membership (as applicable) to the NCJFCJ for 1 year. To learn more about NCJFCJ membership benefits, click here.
NCJFCJ members who are registered participants of the 2025 Child Abuse and Neglect Institute will receive a free copy of Reasonable Efforts –A Judicial Perspective, 2nd Edition, by Judge Leonard Edwards (Ret.).
Questions:
- For general inquiries related to CANI, please email Casaundra Johnson, Senior Program Manager, NCJFCJ at [email protected] with questions.
- For registration questions or to register multiple participants, please contact Crystal Ramirez, Planning Specialist, NCJFCJ, at [email protected] or (775) 507-4803.
NOTE: There are no refunds for cancellations. All invoiced participants must provide payment by Friday, May 30, 2025.
The zoom link will be shared with registered participants closer to the Institute’s start date.