TRENTON - The New Jersey Governor’s
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(JJDP) Committee has, for the third consecutive
year, awarded a grant of $21,218 to Bergen
County to address disproportionate minority
confinement (DMC) through multi-systemic
therapy (MST).
The DMC reduction program is designed
to help reduce the over-representation
of minority youth who are involved in
the juvenile justice system. The program
serves 36 minority youth who have had
multiple contacts with the juvenile justice
system. The project primarily serves youth
and their families from the towns of Hackensack
and Englewood. This year, the program
has been expanded to accept youth from
other towns to further reduce DMC.
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 grant
awards annually 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 funding
for a maximum of three consecutive years.
“Our
Committee has been very impressed with
the work done by the Hispanic Family Center
over the past two years and were glad
to provide this third, final, year of
grant support,” said Committee Chairperson
B. Thomas Leahy. “We sincerely hope
that continuing funding can be found for
this valuable program.”
“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 Comssion. “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 single
state agency responsible for providing
juvenile correctional rehabilitation and
parole services. The JJC also funds local
prevention programs that divert youth
from involvement in the juvenile justice
system.
Bergen County’s program targets
those youth who have been identified as
recidivists; those who despite efforts
by the courts have continued to have involvement
with the justice system. The program seeks
to reduce recidivism by helping youth
identify positive and productive activities,
as well as educational and vocational
opportunities. Family relationships and
community involvement are also stressed.
Bergen County’s Department of Human
Services, Division of Family Guidance
is focusing on those youth who have been
identified as recidivists; those who despite
efforts by the courts have continued to
have conflict with the justice system.
Their use of MST has proved to be very
successful. “MST empowers the family
to work with the problem behavior and
change the unacceptable behavior,”
said Joan Mosely MST Therapist.
Joan Jaye Badin, Ph.D., MST Supervisor
for Bergen County also supports the use
of MST. “There is no such thing
as a hopeless case where MST is concerned.
Positive changes are possible no matter
what the situation.”
“Multi-systemic Therapy has been
one of the best things Bergen County has
done for its youth and families. It has
filled the gap for providing services
to families and youth in need. Our relationship
with the Juvenile Justice Commission and
their support has helped make these services
a reality and we now continue to expand
such services throughout Bergen County,"
said Nicholas A. Montello, Ph.D., Project
Director.
MST has been identified by the Federal
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention (OJJDP) as a Blueprint Program
based on rigorous research and the inclusion
of key program components that address
the needs of delinquent youth.
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.