TRENTON—The New Jersey Department of Human Services announced today it has reached a tentative agreement with private, non-profit residential provider Youth Consultation Services (YCS) to provide a temporary management team to help operate the Newark Transitional Supervised Living Program (NTSLP).

“Thanks to this agreement we can strengthen the oversight of a much needed program and improve the quality of services offered to children in their care,” said DHS Commissioner Gwendolyn L. Harris. “This is a great example of the provider community coming together and putting their own interests aside. For our providers, it truly is only about one thing – putting children first.” 

Within the past month, the Department’s Office of Licensing had taken action to revoke the licenses of NTSLP’s girls’ transitional home and boys’ shelter programs. These actions were taken due to the programs’ inability to meet licensing requirements over the past several months.

Last month, the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) stopped new admissions to both programs and took steps to ensure the 13 children currently there were in no immediate danger. Though no children required immediate removal from either program, DYFS developed a preliminary plan to begin removing children based on the licensing action.

“With support from YCS and DHS, we can continue to provide comprehensive services and supports for children in need,” said NTSLP Board President Lewis Garely. “YCS has a proven track record of providing quality services and with their help we can build on that success.”

Over the past several years, YCS has provided assistance to both residential and educational facilities. Currently, YCS has an agreement with Independent Family Services to provide management services for their special education school in Irvington. YCS has also assumed responsibility for residential programs in Sicklerville, Paterson and Howell Township.

As part of the agreement, YCS will provide management oversight and offer technical assistance to NTSLP over the next three to six months. The arrangement will allow both NTSLP programs to remain operating while YCS provides oversight in helping them to meet licensing standards.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to assist a fellow provider,” said YCS President/CEO Richard Mingoia. “With our help, we hope both NTSLP programs can come into full compliance and will be able to operate for years to come.” 

The Department of Human Services and New Jersey Association of Children’s Residential Facilities are working together to strengthen licensing requirements. Changes include stricter child to staff ratios to allow for better supervision of children and annual training on the use of physical restraints including escape, release and defensive blocking techniques. The Department also announced plans this week to require criminal history background checks on all facility staff.

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