FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 25, 2024
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Derek Sands
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Steve Spoto
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COUNTY RENAMES TWO DIVISIONS IN HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Office for Children now Division of Childcare Resources
Special Child Health Services now Office for Child Development
HACKENSACK, NJ – County Executive Jim Tedesco and the Board of County Commissioners announce that the County of Bergen’s Department of Human Services will rename two offices to better help residents connect with critical services including childcare, early intervention, and child development.
Starting April 24th, the County’s Office for Children will now operate as the Division of Childcare Resources and the Office of Special Child Health Services will now operate as the Office of Child Development.
“These two measures provide clarification and will further help residents connect with child-specific resources they need,” said County Executive Tedesco. “The important thing here is that the mission of both the Division of Childcare Resources and the Office of Child Development and their incredible employees remain the same. Thank you for what you do every single day to improve the lives of our residents.”
“These renaming efforts reflect our commitment to enhancing accessibility and support for families across Bergen County,” said Commissioner Rafael Marte. “By streamlining services and ensuring that the divisions’ purpose is accurately reflected in their title, we aim to empower every child to reach their full potential and have the opportunity to thrive.”
The Division of Childcare Resources, formerly the Office for Children, aims to strengthen Bergen County families, by connecting them with quality, inclusive childcare and by providing support for the childcare community with education and training. Formed in 1980 by the Board of Freeholders, the Division’s three primary functions include providing referrals to parents seeking childcare, connecting low and moderate income families to childcare subsidies like the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), and providing regulatory support for Family Child Care Providers. The Division of Childcare Resources can be reached by calling 201-336-7150 and is operated by Director Julie O’Brien.
The Office of Child Development, formerly the Office of the Special Child, helps families meet the developmental and health related needs of children from birth to age 21 who have delays or disabilities by providing education and support services. The program coordinator for the Office of Child Development is Erin Beischer, LCSW who can be reached at 201-634-2621.
The office houses two critical units: the Early Intervention Service Coordinator Unit (SCU) and the Special Child Health Services Case Management Unit (CMU). The Early Intervention Service Coordinator Unit (SCU) provides referral services to those with infants and toddlers (up to the age of three) who are experiencing problems or delays with development. If you have a child that you believe is not meeting their developmental milestones, do not hesitate to reach out to Early Intervention for an evaluation at 888-653-4463.
The Special Child Health Services Case Management Unit (CMU) in the Office of Child Development serves as the Bergen County “branch” for the NJ Department of Health which operates in each of the New Jersey’s 21 counties. The goal of this state funded program is to promote access to preventative and primary care for children and youth with special health care needs from birth up until their 22nd birthday. Bergen County has two permanent case managers that have worked with over 7,688 children and their families to provide information and referral based on the results of a needs assessment. Referrals can be made directly to the unit at 201-634-2621.
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