RELEASE: February 1, 2000

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We certainly are pleased with the federal judge's decision to immediately dismiss seven of the nine counts in the lawsuit filed by Children's Rights Inc. and to limit the scope of the remaining counts.

While we intend to vigorously defend what remains of the suit, we will continue to devote most of our attention to improving the services delivered by the Division of Youth and Family Services.

We said all along that this group of out-of-state attorneys had filed this lawsuit in the wrong place at the wrong time. New Jersey has already begun to improve its child welfare system the right way -- through the administrative and legislative processes.

Two years ago, the Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel issued a report with some 380 recommendations to improve the system. DYFS incorporated those recommendations in a Strategic Plan. We have been acting on that plan.

In the past few years, DYFS has added 227 caseworkers; established rigorous new training standards for caseworkers and supervisors; implemented foster home certification; and increased the training, payments and support services for foster parents.

Governor Whitman and the Legislature increased DYFS' funding by $77 million in the past two years, up to a total $500 million in Fiscal Year 2000. Moreover, we will spend an additional $39 million next year to begin a comprehensive restructuring of services to children with emotional and behavioral disturbances.

We have seen tangible progress already.

Children spend less time in foster care, and we are working to further reduce lengths of stay. We are processing more adoptions than ever before. Adoption cases are moving more quickly through the courts.

We will continue working with the Administrative Office of the Courts to further speed the process and ensure that all children at risk will get safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.