RELEASE: May 4, 2005

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Human Services announces new support program for foster families
New Jersey kicks off Foster Care Month

TRENTON — Kicking off May as Foster Care Month, Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner James M. Davy announced today a new peer-to-peer support program for foster/resource families.

“This new program continues our efforts to improve services and supports for New Jersey 's resource families,” said Acting Governor Richard J. Codey. “They truly are the backbone of our child welfare system and our reform efforts would not be possible without them.”

Funded at $290,000 annually, the new peer-to-peer program was developed in partnership with Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS), the lead advocacy organization for foster and adoptive families. Through the program, FAFS will organize regional networking events amongst resource families, especially the growing number of relatives now caring for foster children.

In addition, local networking events will be organized with resource families and Office of Children's Services (OCS) staff. Leadership training sessions will also be developed for local resource family organizations so they can begin mentoring newer resource families as they come into the child welfare system.

“Our resource families do so much for our children,” said Commissioner Davy. “By providing them with the proper supports and services, they can provide the safe and loving home these children deserve.”

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 peer-to-peer program, the state's child welfare reform plan has taken several steps to improve services for foster children and resource families:

•  Streamlined the process of becoming a resource 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.

•  Provided $800,000 to expand 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.

OCS also plans to announce shortly its partnership with the Department of Community Affairs to provide $1 million for home repairs so resource families can maintain their license.

“I applaud the Department and Commissioner Davy for their efforts on behalf of New Jersey 's resource families,” said Mary Jane Awrachow, executive director of FAFS. “They continue to listen to our concerns and continue to treat everyone as true partners in the reform effort- only by working together will we be able to make a difference in the lives of New Jersey's children.”

As part of today's event, Nancy and Ward Deska of Warren County were honored as New Jersey 's Outstanding Foster Family of the Year. The Deskas have been resource parents since 1994 and play an active leadership role in the resource family community. The Deskas are the parents of three biological children and three adopted children- they are presently caring for three foster children too. All of the children were in attendance as the Deskas shared their personal story about the rewards of foster parenting.

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

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