Stanislaus County has a long history of community efforts to end family violence. Haven Women’s Center was founded in 1977 providing domestic violence support services to battered women and their children. In 1993 Haven expanded its services by merging with the Stanislaus Rape Task Force. The Family and Domestic Violence Coordinating Council of Stanislaus County was formed in 1995 to facilitate and support collaboration and partnerships that build and sustain healthy families and communities. The Stanislaus District Attorney’s Office, Modesto Police Department and Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department have had specialized Domestic Violence Units since 1995 and a victim advocate has been assigned to the District Attorney’s Unit since its inception.

The District Attorney’s Office was at the forefront of developing the Family Justice Center in Stanislaus County. The Sheriff was also a strong proponent and supporter of the Family Justice Center and provided staff to work on various committees as the FJC development commenced. On April 15, 2009, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance establishing the Family Justice Center. Members of the Modesto City Council sat on committees at the beginning of the development of the Family Justice Center and worked to find a building for the Center. A member of the Stanislaus County Chief Executive’s Office participated in the Management/Governance Committee. The County provided staff to assist in site location, lease negotiations, and provided information technology for the Center.

The Family Justice Center of Stanislaus (formally Stanislaus Family Justice Center or SFJC) operates under a 501(c)3 governance structure.  The CAIRE Center Foundation, a long standing local child abuse nonprofit, elected to change its name and expand its scope to become the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus Foundation.

The Family Justice Center of Stanislaus (formally Stanislaus Family Justice Center or SFJC) grand opening was held October 22, 2010. The Center’s grand opening was strategically scheduled to commence immediately following the Family and Domestic Violence Coordinating Council’s annual conference. The conference had over 300 attendees, the majority of which then attended the SFJC grand opening. This was a very successful way of offering training, while raising awareness for the new Center.

In September 2017, the Stanislaus Family Justice Center moved to its newest location at 1418 J Street where we can provide a wide variety of our services to the community.

In 2018 Family Justice Center of Stanislaus (formally Stanislaus Family Justice Center or SFJC)  was chosen as one of California's Nonprofit of the Year awardees. State Senator Cathleen Galgiani chose the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus as her Nominee to be honored for 2018.