RELEASE: April 12, 2005

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Human Services announces $1.7 million housing expansion for aging out youth

TRENTON — Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner James M. Davy announced $1.7 million in funding today to expand housing services by 43 beds for children aging out of foster care as part of the state's child welfare reform plan.

“Too many children are leaving foster care without basic life skills and the ability to live on their own,” said Acting Governor Richard J. Codey. “With more beds and support services now available, more foster children will now have a solid foundation to build upon as they transition into adulthood."

Today, there are approximately 300 foster children aged 18 to 21 in New Jersey . However, an additional 300 children age out of the state foster care system each year and no longer receive services. National studies have shown that many of these youth become homeless due to a lack of sufficient housing and support services.

“For many of these children, the state has played the role of parent,” said Commissioner Davy. “Like any teenager, we must provide them with the necessary tools and supports so they can become successful adults.”

Under the state's child welfare reform plan, DHS increased its funding for aging out youth this fiscal year by $4.8 million to $11.5 million total. As part of the reform efforts, several policy changes were made including the elimination of the long term foster care goal and automatically keeping DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services) cases open until age 21 unless the youth requests the case to be closed sooner.

Other child welfare reform plan highlights include:

•  foster children are now automatically enrolled in Medicaid upon turning 18

•  case management and aftercare programs were expanded by $400,000 for those youth who no longer want to be DYFS involved

•  wraparound services were expanded by $250,000 to help pay rent, purchase furniture or learn how to drive-- simple things youth need help with to achieve independence.

•  over 200 youth are now receiving financial assistance to pursue a post-secondary education.

“Today, we are taking an important first step in providing affordable and stable housing to these youth,” said Commissioner Davy. “Thanks to our community partners, we can hopefully provide these youth with a place to call home.”

As part of today's announcement, the following agencies received funding to expand their current transitional living programs:

•  Community Access Unlimited, Union County , five beds, $140,416

•  Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Youth, Somerset County , five beds, $340,764

•  Catholic Charities' Beacon House, Monmouth County , seven beds, $205,462.

In addition, funding was also provided to two agencies to establish permanent housing beds:

•  Center for Family Services, Camden County , 16 beds, $617,388

•  Robins' Nest, Gloucester County , 10 beds, $440,000.

Both permanent housing programs also received capital funding through the Department of Community Affairs and the Housing and Mortgage Financing Agency (HMFA). Robins' Nest received $939,498 while Center for Family Services received $1.4 million.

Over the next five years, DHS is required to develop 200 transitional housing beds for aging out youth as part of the reform plan. In addition to the $1.7 million awarded today, an additional $2.4 million will be available in May through a requests for proposal to establish an additional 40 new transitional living beds next year.

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