For Immediate Release:	Media Contact:
May 20, 2009	Kate Bernyk 609-633-8507

DCF, DHS, AOC Receive Federal Grant for Training on Substance Abuse Agencies come together during kick-off event to stress support for families

NEWARK – New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Human Services (DHS) and Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) came together today during a two-day kick off training to announce a 15-month program to coordinate services and communication to enhance the delivery and effectiveness of substance abuse services for families involved in the child welfare system. This multi-agency initiative was made possible through the In-Depth Technical Assistance program in the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW).

“Families struggling with substance abuse often live in a state of instability, facing isolation and often economic hardship, and putting their children at risk of abuse or neglect,” DCF Commissioner Kimberly Ricketts said. “It is vital for us to partner together to create innovative ways to help vulnerable families overcome their challenges, and move on with a renewed commitment to making their lives better.”

The In-Depth Technical Assistance program is designed to facilitate cross-system collaboration among the professionals who work with families affected by substance use disorders that are involved in the child welfare system and may also be involved in the dependency court system.

“Today’s event demonstrates the level of commitment not only across state Departments but also among other branches of government to structure a system of care that provides children and families access to high-quality resources that create the best opportunity for recovery and family reunification,” DHS Deputy Commissioner Kevin Martone said.

“The work we do together on behalf of children and families who are suffocating under the weight of addiction is not easy work. We need this partnership to get the work done and to support each other so that we can tend to those who need us,” Judge Glenn A. Grant, acting administrative director of the courts, said.

Staff from DCF’s Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), DHS’ Division of Addiction Services (DAS) and the AOC will be participating in various training opportunities over the next 15-months to assess each agency’s current policies and practice when serving substance abusing families, and develop a coordinated plan to improve outcomes for children and families.

The training will focus on three priority areas for technical assistance: 1) sharing data and joint outcomes among all three agencies, 2) beginning a pilot project to integrate the DYFS Substance Abuse Child Welfare Consortia and the Family Dependent Drug Court in Essex County, 3) developing a plan for on-going training and staff development among the three systems on coinciding issues of substance abuse and child maltreatment. New Jersey joins 10 other states and one tribal government to benefit from the NCSACW In-Depth Technical Assistance grant.

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