Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee
Awards $210,735 to Camden Center for Family Services

TRENTON - The New Jersey Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee has, for the third consecutive year, awarded a grant to Camden Center for Family Services (CFS) for a multi-systemic therapy (MST) aftercare project. This year's award is in the amount of $210,735 The program will serve 17 youth at any given time and 45 youth annually.

The JJC, which is the designated planning authority for the allocation of federal grants, 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 grants to local and state agencies. The JJDP Committee reviews proposals for programs that aim toreduce delinquency and/or seek to create local delinquency prevention startegies. 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 Center for Family services over the past two years and we're glad to provide this third and final year of grant support," said Committee Chairman B. Thomas Leahy. "We sincerely hope that continued funding can be found for this valuable program."

The funding will allow CFS to add an aftercare component using the multi-systemic therapy approach to the Department of Probation's Camden Day and Residential Treatment Center (CD&RTC). CD&RTC serves as an 8-bed residential center and a day treatment program for 32 youth serving terms of probation or returning to Camden from secure facilities and residential community homes operated by the JJC. This initiative is part of the JJC's State Incentive Program (SIP) that seeks interventions to successfully divert youth from entering the JJC.

Created in 1995 to bring together services for delinquent youth, the JJC is the agency responsible for providing juvenile correctional rehabilitation and parole services.

The JJC also funds local prevention programs to provide essential care and services that will divert youth from involvement in the juvenile justice system.

"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 Commission. "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."

CFS strives to reduce recidivism among youth functioning below the level appropriate for their age. Participating youth are instructed in life skills, including job readiness. Preservation of family integrity is also a critical component. Through the program, parents and guardians are to balance discipline with nurture.

CFS has selected the MST model because it is designed to address the needs of youth who have more serious behavioral problems. MST has been identified by the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) as a Blueprint Program based on rigorous research.

"Through the MST program, we are strengthening families, improving communication between parents and children, and empowering parents to advocate for their children," said Eileen Henderson, Vice President, Center for Family Services. "The MST model of in-home services has proven effective in reducing the number of youth involved in delinquent behavior, and we look forward to continuing to work with the juvenile justice system."

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 on the JJC, please visit www.njjjc.com