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July 11, 2007 - DCF Marks 1-Year Anniversary with Family Success
CONTACT: 609-633-8507 DCF Marks 1-Year Anniversary with Family Success TRENTON – Marking the first anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Commissioner Kevin Ryan announced $4 million in grant awards to 20 agencies across the state to expand or create neighborhood-based family success centers. The programs aim to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing families with convenient access to a wide array of resources that can help them keep children safe. The centers are designed to strengthen families and empower individuals to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to raise healthy and happy children. “Last July, I signed historic legislation creating the Department of Children and Families and I am proud of the inroads the agency has made in one year,” said Governor Jon S. Corzine. “These Family Success Center grants signify another positive step reached by the Department of Children and Families in its mission to ensure the protection of our children while creating stronger family units in communities across the state.” The Department dedicated $1 million of the funds to partner directly with Newark Mayor Cory Booker in establishing five Newark-based Family Success Centers, as part of the Mayor’s efforts to improve childhood well-being in the City through his Council for Family Success. “The Family Success Centers we are funding today are part of Governor Corzine’s vision and commitment to build a robust network of local services to enrich the lives of children and empower families in their own neighborhoods,” Commissioner Ryan said. “We are hopeful that our partnership with Mayor Booker, and nonprofit agencies across the state, will improve indicators of childhood well-being in the future.” The purpose of each Family Success Center is to strengthen families and neighborhoods; develop networks of family services that result in preventing child abuse and neglect and fostering healthy families; reduce isolation and build connections within families, between families and to the community. Today’s announcement places New Jersey among four leading states (Maryland, Georgia and California) across the nation that have made statewide investments in neighborhood centers dedicated to strengthening families. The centers will collaborate with partners in the community, including the families they serve, for guidance on what programs and services should be made available to help empower individuals to build strong families and be good parents. “We expect the Family Success Centers to be safe, welcoming places in the community to which any family can come, not just in emergencies,” Commissioner Ryan said. Each Family Success Center awarded will receive $200,000. Here are the organizations selected for the Family Success Center funding: ### |
