RELEASE: September 15, 2003

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“BETTER SCHOOLS FOR A BETTER TOMORROW”
Initiative Touts Progress on Literacy as Second Year
of Reading Coach Program Begins Commissioner Harris
reads to Willingboro first graders

DHS Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris reads I’m Not Feeling Well Today to first graders in Hawthorne Park Elementary School in Willingboro, Burlington County, after which she donated the book to classroom teacher April Newman, to promote Governor McGreevey’s early literacy initiative.
		DHS Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris presents a copy of Martin’s Big Words, a selection from Governor McGreevey’s Book Club, to principal William Simmons, of Hawthorne Park Elementary School in Willingboro.

WILLINGBORO, NEW JERSEY -- Human Services Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris donated books and read one to Ms. April Newman’s first grade class at Hawthorne Elementary School in Willingboro, Burlington County, last week as part of Governor Jim McGreevey’s education initiative “Better Schools for a Better Tomorrow.”

Governor McGreevey made a campaign pledge to target early childhood literacy so that every child can read at or above grade level by the end of the third grade. Research shows that only 9% of children who are unable to read by the end of third grade will ever truly become literate. He unveiled in his first year in office, an aggressive early literacy program, focused around providing highly trained Reading coaches to every school that needs one, putting 30 coaches in 80 schools serving more than 25,000 students. On September 8th he announced the rollout and expansion of the second year of the Reading Coach program, which will increase to 50 coaches in more than 100 schools.

By reading to a class of young children, Commissioner Harris demonstrated how all adults can mentor children toward literacy by sharing with them the adventures of books.

The Governor’s Book Club has opened up the exciting world of reading to more than 65,000 children. The first graders familiar with the story read along with Commissioner Harris as she read a selection from the Governor’s Book Club -- I’m Not Feeling Well Today by Shirley Neitzel, illustrated by Nancy Winslow Parker. The Commissioner donated a second book to Hawthorne School, Martin’s Big Words: the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier, which points out the impact that words had in the life of Dr. King.

To start the month, Governor McGreevey focused on jobs, economic development, and transforming New Jersey into a business leader for the new economy. Recognizing that we must provide our children with the skills to compete in that 21st century economy, Governor James E. McGreevey spent the second week of September touting the progress of his education initiatives, under the umbrella of "Better Schools for a Better Tomorrow."

During his campaign, McGreevey promised to streamline the School Construction program, which had been bogged down in bureaucracy and red tape. He made this promise in the summer of 2001 at the groundbreaking for the Westfield High School new addition. Now, two years later, while his Cabinet members spanned the state to read to children this month, he returned to that same site to tout how his creation of the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation has been the catalyst for remarkable progress in building and renovating schools all across the state.

TRENTON— The New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) announced today it has received a $1.9 million federal bonus for increasing its adoptions 31 percent during the 2002 federal fiscal year. New Jersey was recognized with the second largest bonus this year.

“More and more people are making the commitment to adopt,” said Department of Human Services Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris. “Thanks to the love and support of these individuals, more children across the state are now in loving and permanent homes.”

In total, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $14.9 million in bonuses to 25 states and Puerto Rico for exceeding the number of children adopted the previous year. Last federal fiscal year, DYFS finalized 1,367 adoptions compared to 1,043 in 2001. The bonuses are part of the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) of 1997.

As part of ASFA, the Adoptions 2002 program provides annual incentives to states to increase their adoptions. The 1,367 adoptions also enabled DYFS to meet the federal requirement to double its adoptions in five years by surpassing its five-year goal of 1,242 adoptions by 10 percent.

States across the nation continue to see a significant increase in adoptions as a result of ASFA. The law stresses the safety, permanency and well being of children by requiring less time in foster care and more opportunities for adoption.

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DYFS AWARDED BONUS
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Specifically, if a child has spent 15 out of the last 22 months in foster care, the state may proceed through the courts with terminating a parent’s rights thus clearing the way for the child’s adoption.

“Fifteen months is a long time in a child’s life,” said Commissioner Harris. “A permanent and stable home is so important to these children and as more children become available for adoption, we continue to need even more people who are willing to open their heart and home by adopting."

DYFS has traditionally faced the challenge of placing older and special-needs children in permanent homes. There has been a shortfall of these homes, especially for African American children.

Prospective adoptive parents are required to complete a home study, which includes 24 hours of training, interviews and a home visit along with background and reference checks. DYFS provides a variety of programs for adoptive parents and special needs children including a monthly support payment, clothing allowance, free medical insurance for the adopted child and payment of the required legal fees needed to finalize the adoption.

“Many people don’t think they can adopt but it’s just not true,” said Commissioner Harris. “We are working with more people adopting children regardless of race, families from other states, unmarried couples and single individuals. In fact, single parents account for 43 percent of DYFS adoptions.”

To learn more about adopting a child, visit the DYFS adoption web site http://www.njadopt.org. A step-by-step overview of the adoption process is available along with profiles of children waiting to be adopted. A toll-free number, 1-800-99-ADOPT, is also available.