RELEASE: May 4, 2004

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Davy promotes foster care changes in reform plan
State kicks off May as Foster Care Month

TRENTON— Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Jim Davy today announced that the state will expedite board payment increases for foster parents and carry out several planned improvements to the foster care system as part of the larger effort to reform New Jersey’s child welfare system.

As part of the announcement celebrating May as Foster Care Month, Davy and Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) Director Ed Cotton recognized selected foster parents throughout New Jersey. There are currently 4,500 foster families statewide.

“Our foster parents do so much for our children,” said Commissioner Davy. “Until now, we have done very little for them because we failed to provide the proper supports they need.”

Davy announced several changes DYFS will make to better support foster parents:

• Increasing board payments for resource families over the next two years to close 25 percent of the gap between the current rates and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s estimate for the cost of raising a child. Those payments, originally scheduled to begin increasing in July 2005, will now be raised in January 2005.

• Equalizing kinship payments with those of foster parents so more relatives step forward to care for foster children

• Streamlining the process to become a resource parent by setting a standard that the entire process -- which currently takes up to a year – will be completed in 90 days.

• All resource parents, whether recruited by DYFS or a contract agency, will be served by a single agency through the entire process from recruitment through home study and licensing, and beyond. This means that resource families, whether recruited directly by DYFS or by a contract agency, will have a support worker assigned to them permanently.

• Providing $2 million a year in flexible funding to provide support services to resources families.

• Allocating $1 million for home repairs so foster families can continue to meet licensing requirements.

“As an 18 year foster and adoptive parent, I have seen the difficulties and successes of fostering. I am thankful to Governor McGreevey for recognizing the dedication that we as foster families provide to the children in our care,” said Joy Norsworthy, vice president of Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS), a statewide organization representing foster and adoptive parents. “Whether it’s for one child or dozens more, foster parents are New Jersey’s unsung heroes.”

“FAFS supports Governor McGreevey’s commitment to New Jersey’s children and looks forward to continuing our partnership with DHS and DYFS on implementing the child welfare reform plan,” added Norsworthy.

The highlight of the event included the recognition of foster parents and other individuals for supporting foster children:

• DYFS Director’s Award- Dennis Jenkins of Newark
• DYFS Director’s Award- Daralyn and William Sybesma of Wantage, Sussex County
• Outstanding Special Care Provider- Lula Williams of Camden
• Outstanding New Foster Family- Dorothy and Jason Hickman of Pilesgrove, Salem County
• Outstanding Adoptive Family- Elaine Newkirk of Irvington, Essex County
• Outstanding Adoptive Family- Theresa and Rich Gosser of Barnegat, Ocean County
• Outstanding Partnership- Joyce and Edwin Mendez of Hunterdon County
• Outstanding Partnership- Jacqui and Wayne Zahradnik of Ocean County
• Outstanding Partnership- Damyelle Cruff of DYFS Ocean District Office
• Outstanding DYFS Staff Award- Maria Sammut-Mascaro of Southern Monmouth District Office
• Membership Award- Kathy Fredericks of Wayne, Passaic County
• Commitment Award- Nancy Caplan, DYFS Independent Living Program
• Foster Parent of the Year- Shea Campbell of Waldwick, Bergen County.

As part of the ceremony, Commissioner Davy also presented FAFS with a proclamation from Governor McGreevey declaring May as Foster Care Month. In addition, Davy presented a small tree covered in blue ribbons- representing the 13,000 children in foster care in New Jersey.

“Let these ribbons and this tree remind us of why we are here today and everyday,” said Commissioner Davy surrounded by foster parents. “Every child needs a champion- looking around this room there are many champions among us.”

To learn more about foster parenting in New Jersey, call toll free 1-877-NJ-FOSTER or visit www.njfostercare.org.

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