Morris Family Justice Center Commemorates its 10th Anniversary
Published on April 10, 2026
County Commissioners Present Proclamation Recognizing Decade of Service
Community partners, state officials, law enforcement leaders and service providers gathered at the Morris County Administration and Records Building in Morristown today to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Morris Family Justice Center, marking a decade of coordinated support for survivors of domestic violence, dating abuse and sexual assault.
Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw and Commissioner Christine Myers presented a proclamation on behalf of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners recognizing the center’s impact and the partnerships behind its success.
“The Morris Family Justice Center reflects what can be achieved through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to supporting residents in need. For the past decade, this collaboration has ensured survivors have access to critical services in one place, reducing barriers and helping individuals and families move forward,” said Director Shaw.
View More Photos from the 10th Anniversary Ceremony
The program included remarks from JBWS President and CEO Diane Williams and a presentation on the center’s impact by Maria Lagattuta, Director of Legal Advocacy and Community Partnerships, for the Family Justice Center. A congratulatory video message also was provided from former Morris County Commissioner Kathy DeFillippo, who helped lead efforts to establish the center when the commissioners were known as the Morris County Freeholders.
The Family Justice Center opened in 2016 under former JBWS President and CEO Patty Sly, with support from DeFillippo and the Freeholders. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Tia Monachio of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, who spoke at the event, was also involved in its development and credited Superior Court Judge Marcy McMann for her leadership as chair of the Morris County Domestic Violence Working Group from 2009 to 2020.
The center was created to address the challenges victims face navigating multiple systems by providing a single location for comprehensive services. Located in the county’s Administration and Records Building, it offers counseling, legal assistance, protection services and support for children in one setting.
Since its opening, the center has operated as a “one safe place” model -- a nationally recognized best practice -- bringing together the Prosecutor’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Superior Court, Legal Services of Northwest Jersey and community organizations to deliver coordinated services under one roof.
The Family Justice Center was the second of five centers established in New Jersey, with others located in Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth and Union counties. It is operated by JBWS, which is also marking its 50th anniversary this year, representing five decades of service and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence.
In his remarks, Shaw recognized JBWS’s 50th anniversary, noting its growth from a small helpline -- where women sought refuge in the founders’ homes -- into a comprehensive, victim-centered network of support, most recently marked by the groundbreaking of a new pet-friendly safe house.
He also highlighted the broader network of services assisting residents across Morris County, including Atlantic Behavioral Health’s Morris County Sexual Assault Center and the Sheriff’s Hope One mobile outreach program, which recently celebrated its ninth anniversary.
During the program, Assemblywomen Aura Dunn and Marisa Sweeney presented a legislative citation on behalf of the 25th Legislative District, and a letter from Gov. Mikie Sherrill was delivered by a representative of the governor’s office.
“As a crisis response team member responding to calls, no case is ever the same. There is no single face of domestic violence,” Asw. Dunn said. “There were days when this center opened where I walked individuals in from the street, crossing the threshold from trauma toward healing. Thank you all for devoting your lives every day to this work.”
Among those in attendance were Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood and Deputy Chief of Detectives Jan-Michael Monrad of the Prosecutor’s Office, Sheriff James Gannon, Morris County Human Services Director Kasey Errico, County Administrator Deena Leary, Assistant County Administrator Brian Murray and representatives from across the county’s law enforcement and human services community.
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Photo 1: (l-r) Morris County Commissioner Christine Myers, Morris Family Justice Center Director of Legal Advocacy and Community Partnerships Maria Lagattuta, JWBS CEO Diane Williams and Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw.
Photo 2: A JBWS staff member seated at the registration table inviting guests into the Morris Family Justice Center’s 10th anniversary event.