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About Us
Mission Statement

From our lived expertise, we identify priority areas for improving DCF services and opportunities to codesign the future of child and family well-being in the state of New Jersey. We seek to address important areas of change in collaboration with the Commissioner and all DCF staff to implement innovative ways of improving the overall experience of youth in New Jersey.

 

The DCF Youth Council is a group of youth and young adults ages 15-23 who are currently or formerly involved with: the Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P), the Children’s System of Care (CSOC), and/or the Office of Education (DCF Regional Schools).

Youth Council members work in partnership with DCF to reflect shared leadership, with the intent to achieve a common vision and collaborative goals. The Youth Council helps to transform DCF policy and practice and, at the same time, empower youth to take action and make decisions on critical issues affecting their interests, as well as the interests of their peers. The Youth Council works directly with DCF’s Commissioner and leadership to enact change within New Jersey’s child and family-serving system.

Youth with lived experience, who are passionate about changing the child welfare system for the next generation, have the opportunity to:

  • Change policy and practice.
  • Meet other youth with lived experience.
  • Design new programs and services.
  • Present to audiences statewide and nationally.
  • Speak directly with the NJ DCF Commissioner.

 

Youth Council Members have already accomplished real change: As examples, they wrote the Siblings’ Bill of Rights that was signed into law by Governor Murphy; they co-designed the peer mentoring program called EnlightenMENT and they’ve re-designed the NJYRS website.

Council members commit to a two-year term. The DCF Youth Council meets monthly in a large group and weekly or biweekly in smaller subcommittees to work on projects. They are always compensated for their time and receive transportation assistance and food when they attend in-person events. Council members build skills that last a lifetime while advocating for all youth in care.

Become a part of the Council and help determine what they do next! Youth Council enrollment is open twice a year. Apply here.

 
Health Care Coverage Under the Medicaid Extension for Young Adults (MEYA) Program

You may be eligible for health care coverage under the Medicaid Extension for Young Adults (MEYA) program until age 26. Income is not a factor in this process. Applicants should discuss their eligibility with either their CP&P case worker, or call or email MEYA at 1-888-235-4766 DCF.MEYA@dcf.nj.gov.

If you qualify for MEYA and are moving out of state, what’s next?

Beginning 1/1/2023, states must now cover youth who have aged out of care at 18-21, regardless of the state in which they lived.