| Children and Youth Services |
 JUVENILE/FAMILY
CRISIS CENTER
The Juvenile/Family Crisis Center is a 24 hour, legally mandated service.
This program is designed to assist families who are experiencing serious
difficulties in managing the behavior of children aged 10-17, and in
situations where the behavior of the children or parent results in a
serious threat to the well-being and safety of the youth or other family
members. This court-affiliated program aims to intercede in family conflicts
and, where possible, to divert such cases from formal court and premature
out of home placement pending exhaustion of community resources. Approximately
90% of the cases are diverted from court; with less than 5% of the cases
requiring out of home placement. A primary objective of the Crisis Center
is to promote and strengthen the integrity of the family unit. Services
include short-term crisis stabilization, family assessment, case management,
treatment planning, and referrals to appropriate community-based services.
Contact 645-5862, ext. 4330 (daytime phone) or 645-5861 (evenings).
PROJECT HELPING HAND
Project Helping Hand is an early identification and intervention program
for elementary school students at risk of chronic truancy. Truancy
at this age is often a sign of pre-delinquent behavior and an indication
of family dysfunction. The goals of the project are to reduce truancy,
encourage increased involvement between parents, children and schools;
and the identification of family dysfunction accompanied by referral
to appropriate services. Services provided include student and family
assessments, short-term family and individual counseling, contracting
with the parent, student and the school, referral to concrete and
social services, and monitoring and follow-up of cases. Referrals
to the program are made by schools participating in the program.
Contact 645-5862 SPECIAL CHILD HEALTH SERVICES (SCHS)
Case management services for children from birth to age 21 who have
a handicap or pre-handicapping condition.
Call 645-7700, ext. 4256 TRY IT
TRY IT provides outpatient substance abuse services for youth
aged 12-18 and their families residing in Atlantic County. Services
include assessment, treatment planning, referral, psycho educational
group process, and reintegration of youth to their homes and families
upon return from residential treatment centers. Short term group services
are offered at two sites: Egg Harbor Township Family Center and the
Mays Landing Branch of the Atlantic County Library. The goal of TRY
IT is to provide education, assist in breaking denial, and provide
support for recovery. Referrals are accepted from multiple community
based agencies, schools, Family Court, parents, DYFS, and other treatment
agencies.
Contact 645-5862, ext. 4334 or ext. 4331 YOUTH SHELTER
The Youth Shelter is a temporary shelter for runaway, homeless and
abused adolescents ages 10-17. The range of services provided include
food, shelter, medical treatment, group and individual counseling,
supervised recreation, on-site educational program and service referral.
There is always an emphasis on family reunification. Where family
reunification is not possible, the child remains at the Shelter pending
permanent placement. Access to shelter services is through the Family
Court, the Atlantic County Juvenile Family Crisis Center and the Division
of Youth and Family Services.
Services are available 24/7 - walk-in clients accepted.
Contact 645-5899 ext 4322
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