RELEASE: May 24 , 2004

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Davy proposes $5.3 million in funding to help aging out youth succeed in life
Goals include a mentor for every adolescent in foster care

TRENTON — As part of the State's efforts to reform its child welfare system, Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Jim Davy proposed a $5.3 million increase in federal and state funding today to expand services for children who age out of foster care.

Today, there are approximately 4,000 foster children ages 13 to 21 in New Jersey . In addition, there are over 300 children who age out of the state foster care system each year. Currently, the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) provides $5.9 million in funding for aging out programs.

“Many of these children have no parents except for the state,” said Commissioner Davy. “We are their parents- the ones responsible for raising them into adulthood. We must do everything we can to help them succeed in life.”

In observance of May as Foster Care Month, Davy met with staff and children involved in Shiloh Baptist Church 's mentoring program for aging out youth. Funded by DYFS at $142,000 annually, the mentoring program serves over 25 aging out youth each year. There are two similar mentoring programs in Paterson and Bergen .

The proposed $5.3 million funding increase next year includes $1.8 million in state funding as well as an additional $3.5 million in federal funding. Under the reform plan, the mentoring program will be expanded next year at an annual cost of $300,000.

“It is a common refrain among teenagers how adults don't listen,” explained Commissioner Davy. “We are listening at the Department and DYFS and we realize the impact the mentoring program has made in their lives. We will look to expand the mentoring program over the next several years so we can reach our goal of providing a mentor for every adolescent in foster care.”

In addition to the mentoring program expansion, the child welfare reform plan also includes the following changes to help aging out youth succeed in life:

• Promotes permanency by eliminating long-term foster care while developing more foster homes for teens and additional supports to encourage their adoption
• Keeps DYFS cases open until age 21 upon the child's request
• Expands case management and aftercare services through contracted agencies including housing assistance and food/clothing grants for adolescents no longer wanting to be DYFS involved
• Provides free health care by automatically enrolling children in the Chafee Medicaid Extension Program upon turning 18
• Develops 200 transitional living units over five years (40 each year)

"Increased money for the aging out population is critical because these teenagers run the risk of being homeless, hungry and hopeless if they do not make this transition successfully,” said Reverend Darrell L. Armstrong, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church . “Most 18 year olds are not ready to tackle life by themselves in even the most 'normal' of two-parent family situations. Thus it is incumbent upon public agencies to provide as strong a springboard as possible to catapult them into independent living."

"I personally 'aged-out' of foster care in Los Angeles County and still have a 16 year-old brother who will soon be 'aging-out' in LA. I am deeply committed because of my personal experiences in and with America 's child welfare system."

Shiloh Baptist Church and its sister organization, the Capital Corridor Community Development Corporation is committed to strengthening individuals, families and neighborhoods by providing a spiritual foundation to successfully negotiate the pitfalls of life. As a church, Shiloh offers focused programs on children, youth and families through three structured ministries:

• Children & Youth Ministry- includes a 50 voice K-6 grade choir and a 25 voice 7-12 grade choir
• Young Adult Ministry- includes a college ministry to local colleges and universities and support to younger married couples
• Marriage & Family Ministry- includes specific sub-ministries to men and women respectively as well as to seniors and single parents

In addition, Shiloh Baptist donates thousands of dollars and volunteer hours to over 20 faith based and community based not-for-profit organizations in Mercer County . The church is a committed partner with the DYFS Mercer County District Office and the Mercer County Superior Court of New Jersey - Family Division in supporting local children and families.

“We need to build on successful programs like the one here at Shiloh Baptist,” added Commissioner Davy. “We are not talking about DYFS children. We are talking about our children and only by partnering together in the community can we make a difference in their lives.”

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