More Foster Parents Needed In New Jersey: ‘Be Part Of A Larger Village’

There are close to 3,000 children in foster care in New Jersey. There are roughly 2,000 licensed foster homes. The math is simple, officials say.

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families recently launched a statewide campaign to recruit more foster parents in the Garden State.

When a child is removed from their family for safety reasons, the department first seeks to place them with extended family members or close family friends: a process known as kinship care. But if those connections can’t be made, that child is placed with unrelated “resource parents” who provide them with temporary care.

It’s a critical gap that can make a big difference in a vulnerable child’s life, state officials said.

Research shows that stability in placement is a key predictor of positive outcomes for youth in foster care, helping them to build resilience, maintain community ties and “achieve permanency” quicker.

According to the NJDCF, its primary goal is to keep families safely together when appropriate and possible, with about 90 percent of families receiving services while remaining intact in their own homes.

New Jersey has maintained the lowest out-of-home placement rate in the country since 2019, state officials said – a mark that inspires confidence. But when that’s not possible, the irreplaceable value of a foster parent becomes quickly apparent.

“During what is incredible adversity in a child’s life, resource parents provide much more than shelter,” NJDCF deputy commissioner Clinton Page said.

Homes are needed for children of all ages, but there’s a particular need for homes that can accept sibling groups, older youth and children with developmental and behavioral health needs.

“Every resource parent plays an essential role in the lives of the children and families we serve by temporarily providing empathy, patience, and stability during a critical time,” said Corinne LeBaron, CEO of embrella, a nonprofit that supports foster parents in New Jersey.

“Whether single or married, related or not, what matters most is having a willingness to be part of a larger village in support of young people, and helping change the trajectory of the child and their family for the better,” LeBaron said.

>> Think you have what it takes? Learn more about becoming a foster parent in New Jersey here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The NJDCF shares a list of some frequently asked questions involving foster care on its website. Some of their replies include:

• Is a single person able to be a foster parent? – “Yes. Foster parents can be single, married in a domestic partnership or a civil union. CP&P will not preclude a person from being a foster parent based solely on their culture, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, affectional orientation, or marital/civil union or domestic partnership status. The important thing is their willingness and ability to parent.”
• Is a foster parent able to hold a job? – “Yes, foster parents are able to be employed outside the home. In fact, CP&P may provide child care for your children in care while you are at work.”
• Once a child is placed with me, how long will he/she stay? – “Foster care is considered temporary and short term. A child in care may stay only a few days or several months, depending on the child's family situation.”
• What does the licensing process consist of? – “The licensing process includes nine weekly training sessions, each of which is three hours; a home evaluation; reference checks (medical, employment, personal); criminal history checks (including fingerprinting and local police checks); and a life safety home inspection. The licensing process usually is completed within five months.”

RELATED: NJ Parents Recap Emotional Journey Into Adoption: ‘Love And Patience’

RELATED: NJ Courts Finalize Dozens Of Adoptions As Holiday Season Starts

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.