Child Focus

The Court Appointed Special Advocates Program recruits, screens, trains, and supervises advocates from the local community who ensure children in the child welfare system are safe and are receiving the services they need. These advocates focus on the individual needs of each child and advocate for those interests throughout the legal and child welfare process. This program is affiliated with the Court Appointed Special Advocates of New Jersey, Inc. and the National CASA/GAL Association for Children.

The Open Door Store, previously referred to as the neighborhood assistance program, responds to the needs of vulnerable children and families in our area, ensuring a holistic approach to supporting children in the CASA Advocacy and Safe Babies Court Team programs. It helps families with necessities like diapers, wipes, formula, clothing, toiletries, school supplies and other essentials to reduce infant/toddler health risks, reduce the risk of child abuse, and lessen the burden of basic necessities on families engaged with the child welfare system.

The New Jersey Safe Babies Court Team provides evidence-based and hands-on support to children aged 0-3 and their families in the court system. The Team works to improve outcomes for very young children in foster care or at risk of removal from their parents care. The team is focused on improving outcomes for these infants and toddlers by improving collaboration between the judicial and child welfare systems, working together to support young children and their families. NJSBCT is affiliated with ZERO TO THREE, the National Resource Center for the Infant Toddler Court Program, funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services.