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For Immediate Release Contact:  609-888-7915
December 11, 2015
Ernest Landante, Jr.

TRENTON - New Jersey Department of Children and Families Commissioner Allison Blake read to young children at the Long Branch Concordance Family Success Center today, promoting parent-child bonding and carrying on the Christie's Administration "Season of Service" dedication.

Many of the parents whose children listened to Commissioner Blake read attend the center's Building Baby's Brain education classes. The four two-hour classes teach parents how to build a strong emotional bond with their children. During each class parents spend 30 minutes reading to their child, which promotes parent-child bonding.

"Few things in a child's life are more important than a strong emotional bond with his or her parents.  For children, it means there's always someone who loves and cares about them," said Commissioner Blake.  "Critical to a child's development, a strong parent-child bond will benefit each child as they grow and reach adulthood, fortifying their resiliency and emotional strength."

Free services available from New Jersey's FSCs include supportive counseling for parents raising children; classes and support groups for families, single parents and teens; parent-child activities; and a variety of workshops on stress reduction, financial literacy, leadership/empowerment, education, employment, domestic violence, nutritional awareness, healthcare resources, and financial assistance.

The Long Branch Concordance Family Success Center at 300 Broadway in Long Branch can be reached by calling 732-571-1670 or visiting http://www.lbc4help.org/.  Information about the nearest Family Success Center is available by visiting http://www.nj.gov/dcf/families/support/success/ or calling 1-855-INFO-DCF (1-855-463-6323).

DCF is dedicated to ensuring a better today and an even greater tomorrow for every individual the department serves.  In partnership with New Jersey's communities, DCF ensures the safety, well-being, and success of New Jersey's children and families. DCF funds and directly provides services and support to over 100,000 women, children, and families each month.