TRENTON - The New Jersey Governor’s
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(JJDP) Committee has, for the third consecutive
year, awarded a $71,616 to the Hispanic
Family Center of Southern NJ.
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
in regard to 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 will reduce delinquency and create
local delinquency prevention programs.
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 were glad
to provide this third, final, year of
grant support,” said Committee Chairperson
B. Thomas Leahy. “We sincerely hope
that continuing 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.
We cannot wait until children are in trouble
to intervene.”
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 visit: www.njjjc.com
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