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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2011
 

 CONTACT: Lauren Kidd
Press Office: 609-633-8507


Paterson Family Success Center Celebrates Grand Reopening
Center is Part of New Jersey’s Extensive Network of Family Support Services

 

PATERSON - Lisa von Pier, Director of the Division of Prevention and Community Partnerships (DPCP) within the Department of Children and Families (DCF), joined in the celebration of the formal grand-reopening of the Paterson Family Success Center Thursday.

The Paterson Family Success Center, now located at 79 Ellison Street, in Paterson, serves more than 500 families in the community. The center was previously located at the YWCA building in Paterson, before moving to its current location.

The Paterson Family Success Center is one of 37 Family Success Centers throughout New Jersey funded in part by DPCP. The network of Family Success Centers in New Jersey includes both publicly and privately supported centers.

“Through Family Success Centers and other prevention initiatives, we are making great strides in the way we strengthen our families in Paterson, and in communities throughout New Jersey,” von Pier said. “Family Success Centers are examples of the good happening in our neighborhoods. These are open places where families can access the services they need before they find themselves in crisis.”

The programs aim to prevent child abuse and neglect by providing families with convenient access to a wide array of resources that can help them keep children safe. The centers are designed to strengthen families and empower individuals to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to raise healthy and happy children. A key element of each Family Success Center is its Parent Advisory Boards. The Family Success Centers are a vehicle for parents to not just access services, but to serve as stewards of their respective communities by helping to develop services and programs that work for them. 

“The Paterson Family Success Center is a place where parents, families and young adults can come when they don’t have anywhere else to turn,” said Carolyn McCombs, Executive Director of the Paterson Family Success Center. “The center is rich in resources and connections, and has relationships with more than 35 local community based and governmental agencies where families can be referred in their time of need.”

Among other services, the Paterson Family Success Center offers employment readiness services and has partnered with local organizations to serve families through back to school backpack giveaways, recognition ceremonies for model parents of the year, Thanksgiving basket drives for grandparents raising grandchildren, coat drives, and community baby showers.

To locate a Family Success Center in a local community, please check the DPCP Community Program Directory HERE.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF), New Jersey’s state child welfare agency, was created in July 2006 as the state’s first Cabinet agency devoted exclusively to serving and safeguarding the most vulnerable children and families in New Jersey. DCF includes the Division of Youth and Family Services, Division of Prevention and Community Partnerships and Division of Child Behavioral Health Services, and is focused on strengthening families and achieving safety, well-being and permanency for New Jersey's children.

 

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