TRENTON - The New Jersey Governor’s
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(JJDP) Committee has awarded $55,420 to
Parents Anonymous. Parents Anonymous will
use the funds for their Parents and Adolescents
Changing Together (P.A.C.T.) Program,
which seeks to ensure that changes initiated
in the residential community homes of
the New
Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission
(JJC) are continued when the youth return
to their communities.
The JJC, which is the designated planning
authority in regard to the allocation
of federal grant funds, works with the
JJDP Committee to identify appropriate
programs, award funds and monitor their
success. The JJDP Committee is responsible
for the distribution of more than $3 million
in federal grants to local and state agencies.
The JJDP Committee reviews proposals for
programs that will reduce delinquency
and create local delinquency prevention
programs. Programs that receive funding
work with individuals, families and communities
to reduce the risk factors associated
with delinquency. Programs that demonstrate
success are eligible for continued funded
for a maximum of three consecutive years.
“The
JJDP Committee is impressed with the Parents
Anonymous program,” said Committee
Chairperson B. Thomas Leahy. “The
Committee is pleased to be able to provide
fiscal support to an effort that strengthens
families by working with both the parents
and their children.”
The P.A.C.T. program, which helps both
parents and youth establish and maintain
positive change, is entering its 2nd year
of funding. Participants receive instruction
in communication skills, effective discipline,
anger management, and instruction in choices
and consequences.
“The
Juvenile Justice Commission is committed
to helping local communities address the
specific needs of their young people.
We are proud to be part of a partnership
that takes a proactive approach to help
adolescents and their families,”
said Howard L. Beyer, Executive Director,
Juvenile Justice Commission. “We
know that the earlier we reach out to
children, the better chance we have of
ensuring that they lead productive lives.
We cannot wait until children are in trouble
to intervene.”
Created in 1995 to bring together services
for delinquent youth, the JJC is the state
agency responsible for providing juvenile
correctional rehabilitation and parole
services. The JJC also funds local prevention
programs to divert youth from involvement
in the juvenile justice system.
P.A.C.T. is a 16-week program that engages
participants in skill building techniques
to facilitate healthy family relationships,
ties to community organizations, and the
development of clear standards of behavior.
Community Resources Night, a unique component
of this program, brings together local
community-based organizations so that
parents and youth can have an open discussion
about services in a safe non-stigmatizing
environment.
The project is monitored by staff from
the Program Development and Prevention
Services arm of the JJC’s Office
of Local Programs and Services.
For more information visit: www.njjjc.com.