TRENTON - The New Jersey Governor’s
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
(JJDP) Committee has, for the third consecutive
year, awarded a grant of $210,735 to Camden
Center for Family Services (CFS) for a
multi-systemic therapy (MST) aftercare
project. The program will serve 17 youth
at any given time and 45 youth annually.
The JJC,
which is the designated planning authority
in regard to 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 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 funded for a maximum
of three consecutive years.
“Our
Committee has been very impressed with
the work done by the Camden Center for
Family services over the past two years
and were glad to provide this third, final,
year of grant support,” said Committee
Chairman B. Thomas Leahy. “We sincerely
hope that continuing 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
Plan (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 visit: www.njjjc.com.
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