Department of Human Services

DCA and DHS announce million dollar program to support foster families

TRENTON— Resource/foster families who care for abused and neglected children are now eligible for funds to repair their homes, under a new million program announced today by Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Acting Commissioner Charles A. Richman and Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner James M. Davy.

“This new program is part of our ongoing reform efforts to expand supports for our foster families,” said Acting Governor Richard J. Codey. “It is through their dedication that thousands of New Jersey children have a loving and safe place to call home.”

The million dollar rehabilitation program is designed to expand the number of available resource/foster homes and allow current homes to make repairs or upgrades to properly care for children.

Repairs and improvements funded through the program include construction of additional living space; repair of major building systems such as heating/cooling, electrical, plumbing, roof, structure; walls, ceilings and windows; appliances to replace inoperative ones; and purchase of safety items such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, pool fencing, radiator covers, railings and carpeting.

“Working together, we can lend a helping hand to foster families by offering the financing necessary to provide good homes for children in need,” Commissioner Richman said. “The Resource Homes Program does just that by making it easier for foster parents to make repairs and rehabilitate their homes. We can provide real options and make a real difference in the lives of these children.”

The Resource Homes Program is open to both homeowners and renters that are approved DHS Resource families. To be eligible, a person or household must have an income up to 80 percent of area median income. Grants and loans are available, depending on project cost.

As part of the state's child welfare reform plan, DHS' Office of Children's Services (OCS) is improving services and supports for resource families in partnership with Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS), the lead advocacy organization for foster and adoptive families.

“Our resource families do so much for our children,” said Commissioner Davy. “They truly are the backbone of our child welfare system and our reform efforts would not be possible without them.”

There are approximately 12,000 children in foster care including 4,900 residing in traditional foster homes and another 4,000 living with relatives. In addition to the resource/foster home rehabilitation program, the state's child welfare reform plan has taken several steps to improve services for foster children and resource/foster families:

• Streamlined the process of becoming a resource/foster family from a year to 90 days.

• Equalized kinship/relative payments with foster care board rates – ranging from $454 a month for children under the age of five to $564 for teenagers.

• Created new resource family support workers – caseworkers assigned specifically to resource families who will work on the family's behalf.

• Expanded respite services for resource families.

• Made flex funds available to ensure a child's well being and stabilize the current placement – examples include a security deposit for a larger apartment and an air conditioner for a foster child with severe asthma

• Expanded networking and peer-to-peer programs under the leadership of FAFS.

"Reform is never easy, especially when reform encompasses all areas of the system. What has remained constant through this first year of reform is the fact that the children who are apart from their families are being cared for, said FAFS President Janet Farrand. “The commitment of foster, adoptive and kinship families - resource families - has never wavered. We just keep on caring for the children."

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