The Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) provides alternate living arrangements for children that are removed from their parents’ homes. Many of these children are placed in homes with foster families, however some children with special needs are placed in the group home program. Here’s what parents should know about this out-of-home placement program in New Jersey:
What is the Group Home Program?
A group home is a facility that houses multiple children between the ages of 10 and 18. Children that are placed in the group home program are closely supervised—in fact, these facilities are staffed 24 hours a day. Treatment services are also provided through the group home program, so children can work on resolving their emotional, mental, physical, or social problems.
Will Your Child Be Sent to the Group Home Program?
Each child is evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if a group home or family setting is appropriate. The DCPP typically looks for three things when determining if a child should be placed in a group home. The first is the presence of emotional, mental, physical, or social problems. If a child has these problems, the DCPP will analyze the child’s need for supervision and social services. Children that need constant supervision or could benefit from social services are usually sent to group homes.
Finally, the DCPP will look at how the child is functioning in school and in the community. If the child is performing fairly well in these areas, but still struggling to adjust to the family setting, the child is placed in a group home.
What Your Child Can Expect in the Group Home Program
The group home program is designed to provide the children with structure and stability, which is crucial to children with emotional or mental issues. Trained healthcare providers, including psychiatrists, work closely with group homes to ensure the children are given the help they need.
Children benefit from this setting in other ways, too. Group homes provide older children with vocational services so they can learn new skills and become financially independent in the future. Children in group homes also have access to religious programs and recreational activities so they can explore their interests.
Has the DCPP launched an investigation into your family? If so, seek legal representation at once. The family law attorneys at Williams Law Group, LLC will fight tirelessly to keep your children under your roof. Call our office at (908) 810-1083, email us at info@awilliamslawgroup.com, or contact us through our confidential online form to schedule a consultation.
