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 Inc. - Program Director Jodi Martino
Phone: 201-265-8200
jodima@careplusnj.org

Region 2 Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset
embrella - Program Director Marjorie Blicharz
Phone: 609-520-1500
mblicharz@embrella.org

Region 3 Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean
embrella - Program Director Marjorie Blicharz
Phone: 609-520-1500
mblicharz@embrella.org

Region 4 Essex and Union
Community Access Unlimited - Program Director Tanya Johnson
Phone: 908-354-3040
TJohnson@caunj.org

Region 5 - Camden and Burlington
Acenda - Program Director Erin Klein
Phone: 1-844-4-ACENDA (223632)
eklein@acendahealth.org

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

For more detailed information about the program including the referral process you may also contact Michele Safrin from the Office of Family Preservation and Reunification at 609-888-7586.