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Press Release
For Immediate Release:
Contacts:
January 31, 2005
Sharon Lauchaire
609-292-2288

Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee
Awards $71,616 to Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ

TRENTON - The New Jersey Governor's Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee has, for the third consecutive year, awarded a grant to the Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ. This year's award is in the amount of $71,616.

The Hispanic Family Center of Southern NJ conducts an "I Can Problem Solve" (ICPS) program for 123 pre-school children to change negative behaviors in order to reduce the risk of youth violence. The program targets pre-schools, day care centers and developmental centers in Camden City.

The JJC, which is the designated planning authority for the allocation of federal grant funds, 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 to reduce delinquency and/or seek to create local delinquency prevention strategies. 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 Hispanic Family Center over the past two years and we're glad to provide this third and final year of grant support," said Committee Chairperson B. Thomas Leahy. "We sincerely hope that continued funding can be found for this valuable program."

ICPS is a prevention program that trains teachers and parents to talk with their children in a way that promotes problem solving. Children learn to think about what they do and why they do it. Children are also taught to consider the consequences of their solutions and to recognize the importance of their thoughts, feelings and motivations.

"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."

Created in 1995 to bring together services for delinquent youth, the JJC is the state agency responsible for providing juvenile correctional rehabilitation and parole services. The JJC also funds local prevention programs in its effort to divert youth from involvement in the juvenile justice system.

ICPS is a science-based initiative that has been recognized by the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) as a promising approach to prevent violence among young people.

"We would like to thank the JJDP Committee for their support and belief in our agency," said Elsa Candelario, Executive Director of the Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with the OJJDP and the JJC to positively impact on delinquency prevention. This award will enable us to continue serving the Camden community by making an impact on the lives of its youth."

The ICPS 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

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