The National Council on Family Relations, founded in 1938, is the oldest nonprofit, nonpartisan, multidisciplinary professional association focused solely on family research, practice, and education.
 

Who Are NCFR's Members?

NCFR members are dedicated to understanding and strengthening families. Our members come from more than 35 countries and all 50 U.S. states, and include scholars, professionals, and students in Family Science, Family Life Education, human development, marriage and family therapy, sociology, psychology, anthropology, social work, theology, child development, health, and more.

Members work in research, college teaching and pedagogy, program development, Family Life Education, counseling, and human services.
 

What Does NCFR Do?

Publishes Scholarly Journals

NCFR publishes three international scholarly journals that feature top research from around the world about families

Organizes an Annual Conference

NCFR hosts an international annual conference of peer-reviewed, cutting-edge research, methods and practices, pedagogy, and more related to understanding and strengthening families. Each year, hundreds of faculty, researchers, students, and family professionals present their work and make valuable professional connections at the conference.

Champions the Discipline of Family Science

NCFR welcomes and supports scholars and professionals from many disciplines who work to better understand, strengthen, and empower families.

The discipline of Family Science — the scientific study of families and close interpersonal relationships — is at NCFR’s core. NCFR represents Family Science scholars and professionals by establishing professional standards and by advocating for the advancement of the scientific discipline and the professions of Family Science.

Promotes Family Life Education

NCFR established and administers the nationally recognized Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) credentialwhich validates the experience and knowledge of CFLEs as Family Life Education professionals. Approximately 125 college and university Family Science degree programs in the U.S. and Canada use NCFR Family Life Education curriculum standards as guidelines for their undergraduate and graduate students.

Fosters Dialogue Among Family Scholars & Professionals

NCFR fosters dialogue through many member groups: state, regional, and student affiliates (local chapters); sections representing broad topic interests; and focus groups centered on narrower topic interests.

Members engage virtually via online discussion groups and webinars, and share their expertise through contributions to our NCFR Report member magazine and the CFLE Network newsletter for Certified Family Life Educators.

Educates About Public Policy

NCFR researchers and educators interpret and disseminate information about families to inform legislators and other decisionmakers about the possible effects of policy on families.

To this end, NCFR produces educational, nonpartisan research and policy briefs on family topics and engages in a variety of other policy-related activities to increase the visibility of family research and the impact of policies on families; to advocate for family practice professions, such as Family Life Education; and to provide information to NCFR members about the policymaking process.

NCFR is funded by membership dues, revenue from scholarly journals, Certified Family Life Educator fees, and educational program registration fees. NCFR also accepts donations from members and from the public.
 

NCFR Annual Reports

See additional past annual reports from NCFR.

NCFR's Standards for Ethics & Conduct

NCFR has set ethical guidelines and standards for conduct for Family Scientists, Certified Family Life Educators, NCFR's journals, and the NCFR Annual Conference. See the guidelines and standards.