Youth Advocacy
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is proud to support youth advocacy organizations for young people receiving services through its divisions.
Youth Advisory Boards
The DCF has created 12 Youth Advisory Boards (YABs) hosted by provider agencies throughout the state. Seven other agencies have been contracted to provide transportation to these meetings.
The main purpose of the YABs is to provide feedback on adolescent programs and policies to DCF. The YABs provide a non-clinical, youth-directed forum that empowers homeless youth and youth transitioning out of foster care to become effective advocates for themselves and others. YAB members enhance their advocacy skills through public speaking, legislative advocacy, and planning community service and recreational events.
Visit the New Jersey Youth Advisory Board Blog Spot at: http://www.newjerseyyabs.blogspot.com/
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD:
Atlantic/Cape May Counties
Atlantic/Cape May YAP
609-345-7333
Bergen County
Children's Aid and Family Services
201-445-7015
Burlington County
Family Service of Burlington
609-518-5470
Camden County
Camden County YAP
856-541-4300
Cumberland / Gloucester / Salem
Robins Nest, Inc.
856-881-8689
Essex County
Tri-City Peoples Corporation
973-675-4484
Hunterdon / Somerset / Warren
Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
908-526-6686
Mercer County
Capitol Corridor Community Development Corporation
609-392-0034
Middlesex County
Transitions for Youth
732-932-8758
Monmouth County
Beacon House
732-232-6679
Passaic County
Community Development Corporation
973-413-1604
Union County
Community Access Unlimited
908-482-7255
Youth Partnerships
The Youth Partnerships are a network of advocacy groups run for and by youth who have mental health challenges. Housed within New Jersey's Family Support Organizations, the Youth Partnerships have independent missions and budgets. The primary goals of the Youth Partnerships include advocating for youth who are coping with mental illness, educating their communities to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness, and removing the barriers that young people face in obtaining resources for wellness. Most Youth Partnerships meet at least once a week and also plan additional trips and conferences.
For more information, call one of the numbers below and ask to speak with the Youth Coordinator.
Atlantic/Cape May
609-485-0575
Bergen County
908-922-7963
Burlington County
609-265-8838
Camden County
856-662-2600
Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem
856-507-9408
Essex County
973-395-1441
Mercer County
609-581-6891
Middlesex County
732-940-2837
Monmouth County
732-571-3272
Morris County
973-770-2700
Sussex County
973-940-3194
Union County
908-686-9090
Child Placement Review Boards
The Child Placement Review Board (CPRB) is a group of trained citizen volunteers from the community who, under the Child Placement Review Act, are empowered to review the cases of children and youth in out-of-home placement. Youth ages 18 to 21 years old who have agreed to continued services are also reviewed by the boards. Notices of meetings are sent to all interested parties. Young people aging out of foster care must be informed of their opportunity to attend CPR Board meetings. They may come alone, with a caseworker, or with a friend.
"Aging Out, Don't Miss Out," a comic book style publication that further explains the role of the CPRBs in supporting transition, is available from the NJ Child Placement Advisory Council, PO Box 983, Trenton, NJ, 08625, or by visiting http://www.njcpac.org/.
|
