FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 4, 2007

CONTACT: (609) 633-8507 Kate Berynk Andy Williams

TRENTON – Nonprofit organizations and law enforcement agencies in five counties will receive combined grants of nearly $2 million to establish new child advocacy centers or improve existing ones, Department of Children and Families Commissioner Kevin M. Ryan announced today.

Governor Jon S. Corzine included the funds in his Fiscal Year 2007 budget to strengthen efforts across the state to investigate, prosecute, and treat child victims of serious sexual and physical abuse. Child advocacy centers typically combine the efforts of county prosecutors, the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) and local hospitals to provide high-quality joint investigations and treatment of child abuse or neglect in a child-friendly atmosphere.

“As a government and a people, we have a fundamental obligation to protect our children,” said Governor Corzine. “Child advocacy centers help us to do that by bringing together local law enforcement, child welfare staff and hospitals so that children who are victims of serious abuse only have to tell their story once before justice can be served and the victims can begin the process of healing.”

Commissioner Ryan said, “These grants will allow law enforcement, hospital and DYFS to work together at the county level to help our most vulnerable kids.”

The grants range from $134,000 to $500,000 and cover expenses from purchasing property or leasing buildings to constructing new buildings or renovating existing space.

The agencies receiving grants are:

Wynona’s House in Newark, $500,000 – Named for the late Sen. Wynona Lipman, this partnership between the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, DYFS, and Newark-Beth Israel Hospital is building a new home at 185 Washington St., Newark. The grant will finance part of the construction project, including the installation of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment.

Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Elizabeth, $500,000 – The Union County Child Advocacy Center plans to purchase property and build a new center on Elmora Avenue in Elizabeth. The total project cost is estimated at $3.3 million.

Monmouth County, Freehold, $500,000 – The Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center plans to develop a new facility on county-owned property on Kozloski Road in Freehold. The total cost of the project is estimated at $5.3 million.

Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Mount Holly, $134,000 – The Burlington County Child Advocacy Center will use $104,000 of the grant funds to renovating the current building, including an upgrade of the HVAC system, windows and lighting; painting the exterior of the building ; and replacing sewer lines and carpeting. The remaining $30,000 will be used to retain an architectural firm to design a long-term overhaul to make the center more child-friendly.

Hudson County Child Abuse Prevention Center, Jersey City, $211,050 – The Hudson County Child Abuse Center will use the funds to renovate a property it is seeking to lease on Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Renovations will include replacing the carpeting, lighting and drop ceilings, refinishing interior walls, and upgrading bathrooms and the electrical system. The grant will also cover the cost of furniture and equipment.

 

###