The Pathways to Academic and Career Exploration to Success (PACES) program supports current or former foster youth and young adults in their successful transition to and retention in post-secondary education (including career technical education) and workforce readiness.  The target population for these programs will be youth and young adults ages 16-21 who are eligible for NJ Foster Care (NJFC) Scholars as determined by DCF.  For details about eligibility please click here.

The PACES programs' academic and career coaches will address identified academic needs, typically in reading, writing, and/or math; assist students in career exploration to promote college and career readiness; help students prepare for, identify, and apply to career technical schools or colleges and universities that are a best fit; and prepare students for their adjustment to and integration into their post-secondary communities.

The PACES providers will serve youth who live within the Region they cover.  The following is a list of PACES provider agencies with the counties served.

Region 1 (Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Morris, Sussex, Warren)
Care Plus
Monica Ochoa-Uribe
Program Manager of Adolescent Services
201-265-8200 ext. 5240

Region 2 and 3 (Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean)
Embrella
Narissa Jones
Director of Scholarships
800-222-0047
njones@embrella.org

Region 4 (Essex and Union)
Community Access Unlimited
Francis Anyanwu
PACES Program Director
908-354-3040 ext. 4593
FAnyanwu@caunj.org

Region 5 and 6 (Camden, Burlington, Atlantic, Cumberland, Cape May, Gloucester, Salem)
Acenda
Erin Klein
Program Director
1-844-4-ACENDA (223632)
eklein@acendahealth.org

For more detailed information about the program including the referral process you may also contact Emel Altomari from the Office of Family Preservation and Reunification by phone at 609 888-7592 or email at emel.altomari@dcf.nj.gov