RELEASE: February 3, 2004

Previous Screen

Davy announces additional boarder baby initiative
Funding will be used for relative home studies and baby supplies

NEWARK—New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Designate Jim Davy announced today that an additional $300,000 will be provided to help end the practice of boarder babies—infants medically cleared to leave a hospital but remain there until the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) can find an appropriate placement.

The additional money will be used to conduct home studies of relatives and support the placement plans developed with them. The funding will also allow relatives to purchase infant supplies such as cribs, car seats or whatever they need to help bring the baby home.

“One baby languishing in a hospital is one baby too many,” said Commissioner Designate Davy. “We must do whatever it takes to stop this disturbing problem. With this additional funding we will be able to help more boarder babies go home with relatives.”

Last month, Commissioner Designate Davy announced a series of immediate actions to protect New Jersey’s children while the State finalizes a reform plan for DYFS due February 18th. One immediate action called for immediate measures to begin to end the boarder baby problem especially at UMDNJ University Hospital.

Per Davy and DYFS Director Edward Cotton, two DYFS caseworkers were reassigned to the hospital to engage parents and relatives in developing a placement plan for the babies once they are medically cleared for discharge. The goal is to identify relatives or family friends who may be able to take the baby home and care for it with support services from DYFS.

“We know that given the right supports, more of these babies could go home with relatives,” added Davy. “We need to do more and by dedicating staff and these resources we will make it happen- we will get it done.”

During the past two years, DYFS has been placing more boarder babies in foster homes instead of with relatives. Last year, 45 percent of the boarder babies went into a foster home compared to only 40 percent in 2002. Many of the babies have medical problems requiring special care and attention- making it even more difficult to find a home.

“Relatives are always our first choice when placing a child,” said Davy. “If that is not possible, then a foster home is our only other option. However, it’s becoming increasing more difficult to find the right foster home especially for children with special needs. There just are not enough foster homes.”

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, visit the DYFS foster care web site at http://www.njfostercare.org or call toll-free 1-877-NJ-FOSTER.

# # #