RELEASE: DEC 10 , 2004

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New Jersey celebrates fifth annual Foster Children's Day

TRENTON— Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner James M. Davy and Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) Assistant Commissioner Edward E. Cotton honored community volunteers and organizations today for their work on behalf of New Jersey's 12,500 foster children as part of Foster Children's Day.

“Foster Children's Day reminds us how we can work together as a community on behalf of our children,” said Commissioner Davy. “The love and support of those we honor today exemplifies the true spirit of the season.”

Foster Children's Day was established in 2000 to increase awareness of the needs of New Jersey 's foster children. Children may be placed in foster care when they cannot safely remain in their own home because of abuse or neglect. Currently, 65 percent of foster children are siblings and 50 percent are under the age of five.

“Our foster children experience so much in their young lives,” said Commissioner Davy. “Today serves as an excellent reminder of how a simple act of kindness can make a significant difference in a child's life.”

As part of the state's child welfare reform plan, several steps are being taken to improve services to foster children and resource families including:

•  Adding 1,000 new resource families.

•  New resource family caseworkers- caseworkers assigned specifically to foster families who will work on their behalf to cut through the bureaucracy.

•  Launching a $1 million partnership with the Department of Community Affairs shortly to assist foster families with home repairs so they can maintain their license.

•  Equalizing kinship/relative payments with foster care board rates – ranging from $435 a month for children under the age of five to $695 for teenagers.

•  Providing an additional $2 million to expand support services such as respite care, child care and counseling to foster parents.

Today's Foster Children's Day event featured a guest appearance by Buddy the Foster Care Bear. Community volunteers and organizations honored were:

•  Shantay Mines of Madison , Morris County . A former foster child he is currently a student at Drew University . An advocate and mentor for other youth in care, he has represented the State of New Jersey at three national youth conferences and has participated on workgroups for the implementation of New Jersey's child welfare reform plan. In addition, he is president of the DYFS Central Region Youth Advisory Board- a group of young adults who are current or past foster children who provide input to DYFS on services.

•  Alicia Rojas of Westville, Gloucester County . A former foster child she attends Camden County Community College with assistance from a federal program to assist foster children with college or vocational training. In addition she is a member of DYFS Youth Advisory Board in South Jersey . Earlier this year, she testified before the New Jersey Legislature about foster care.

•  The Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills and the Urban Youth Development Corporation - The Urban Youth Development Corporation provides rent subsidies to aging out youth who have been provided with housing. The Junior League has sponsored baby showers and “welcome home” celebrations for young women receiving apartments

•  Arthur Taylor , a former foster child from Washington , DC , is a dance instructor at the Camden School of Performing Arts . He and his students are being recognized for their performance honoring Willingboro resource families during Foster Parent Month this past May.

•  Jessica Kuhn of Haddon Heights , Camden County . A former foster child and an advocate for children in care, is committed to motivating the youth in her community to work with children in care. Jessica has participated in the resource family workgroup for the child welfare reform plan.

•  Doris Gary is a community worker and member of the Second Baptist Church in Paterson . For the last 13 years, Ms. Gary has inspired members of her church and her co-workers at the Board of Education to assist resource families. She calls her project the “Tree of Love.” The project provides resource families with gifts and Christmas baskets.

To learn more about becoming a resource family, call toll free 1-877-NJ-FOSTER or visit www.njfostercare.org .