RELEASE: March 31 , 2004

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Davy proposes $6 million dollar expansion of child abuse prevention programs for new mothers

CAMDEN— Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Commissioner Jim Davy proposed a $6 million expansion of child abuse prevention programs for new and expectant mothers today as part of the State’s efforts to reform its child welfare system.

As part of the announcement, Acting Commissioner Davy met with young mothers and their children served by the Center for Family Services’ (CFS) Healthy Families program. The program promotes healthy parent-child interaction with intensive home visitation by family support workers.

“Prevention is the key to our child welfare reform plan,” said Acting Commissioner Davy. “By providing more prevention services, we can help more families and children receive help earlier and hopefully prevent the tragedy of child abuse.”

Healthy Families works closely with expectant and new mothers by providing early intervention and family support services. Building a bond with the family, support workers ensure families have medical providers and help families follow up on immunization schedules. Workers also assist in identifying needs of the mothers and children and linking them with other community resources such as day care options, educational training and job placement. Families are generally served until the child reaches age five.

According to Davy, there is a dire need for more child abuse prevention programs especially ones designed to protect younger children. Each year in New Jersey, 19 percent of child abuse victims are under the age of one. Thirty nine percent of victims are under the age of five.

Last year, DHS conducted a statistical analysis of child abuse neglect deaths from 1998-2002. Out of the 123 total deaths, 70 deaths or 57 percent were of children under the age of one. Out of the 70 deaths under the age of one, nine deaths occurred in Camden County including six in the City of Camden.

“The rate of abuse among young children is truly disturbing,” said Acting Commissioner Davy. “We need to start earlier and reach their parents even before these children are born- this abuse and these deaths have to stop. That’s why programs like Healthy Families are so important.”

Started in 1996, the Healthy Families program is funded annually at $3 million by DHS. Statewide there are 20 programs serving 1,000 families. This year, Center for Family Services received $200,000 to serve 100 families through the Healthy Families program.

“Every dollar spent in prevention saves thousands required to fix recurring problems,” said Richard Stagliano, President/CEO of Center for Family Services. “The need for prevention services like Healthy Families is much higher than what is currently available. With more money designated for prevention programs, we can significantly reduce the number of abuse and neglect cases.”

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