Over the past few days, we were alerted to the fact that the governor's new budget proposal featured a complete cut of the School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP.) While we understand that during these challenging times, we know that tough budgetary decisions need to be made. But we are asking our friends and partners and urge you to please help restore funding to the SBYSP.
The SBYSP is a collaboration between the N.J. Department of Children and Families, the Carteret Board of Education and Wellspring Center for Prevention. SBYSP is a comprehensive student-centered health and wellness program that provides direct services to all students on-site. The goal of the SBYSP is to help young people navigate their adolescent years, finish their education, obtain skills leading to employment or continuing education, and graduate healthy and drug free. All services are provided free of charge and require a signed parental consent form signed by his/her parent/legal guardian.
This COVID-19 pandemic has caused so much trauma to children and families. Many have experienced the loss or serious illness of loved ones, financial and food insecurity, a disruption in structure that school provides, (especially for those children with developmental disabilities who struggle with a change in routine), and other environmental stressors. The cases of abuse and neglect and symptoms of mental health and addiction are predicted to rise as this health crisis continues.These children have challenges including behavioral and mental health, substance use and developmental disabilities.
Many of our efforts have resulted in media hits in print, on the radio and TV, and of course on social media. Here are but a few examples:
In order for this program to continue to work effectively, please help us ensure the state's SBYSP remains intact and properly funded, especially in this time of health and financial crisis.
Children and families must have the security of knowing that we can help them address the many challenging issues these traumatic times will present to them. We hope we can count on you to support and advocate for the children and families of our state.
Here are a few things you might be able to do to help:
By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://wellspringprevention.org/
Wellspring Center for Prevention continues to monitor the ongoing situation with COVID-19, especially as it affects the communities we serve. As an important source of services for those in need, we have every intention of continuing our mission especially in times of uncertainty. We are doing our best to minimize risk to our staff and clients and continue with decision we made when the pandemic started. Those decisions affect how we provide services that ensure your and our staff’s safety. Which is why our staff continues to provide services remotely. And why staff rotates into the office while maintaining work from home. We promise to respond to your emails and phone calls as soon as we can and we appreciate your patience as we adjust to this new normal. Please stay safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones.