When a child has special emotional, mental health, behavioral, developmental disabilities or substance abuse needs the family of that child is also affected. Success begins with involving parents and caregivers as full partners in their child’s care.
Family Support Partners
Families receiving care management services through the Care Management Organization (CMO) are eligible for family support. Parents and caregivers are matched with specially trained Family Support Partners who understand what these families are experiencing and encourage their progress.
Our Family Support Partners are parents and caregivers of children with emotional, behavioral, developmental disabilities, substance abuse and/or mental health challenges. They have first-hand knowledge of the system. They can help families navigate the system because they have done it for their own children. Family Support Partners are there to make sure that the family voice is heard, and the family vision is achieved.
We provide intensive, individual support to families at a place and time that is convenient for them. We attend meetings pertinent to the family and the child to give support to the parent and the family voice. We assist families during critical situations such as hospitalization or entering a residential facility.
Family Support Groups
Any caregiver (Parents, Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents, Step-Parents, Guardians, etc.) with a child with mental health, behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance abuse and legal challenges to be supported by their peers. The group provides an opportunity for caregivers to share, listen and help support each other with the daily stresses of caring for their children. Along with providing mutual support, we as a group decide on speakers, subjects, and activities we would like to pursue.
Youth ages 5-12 years of age who are within the community. Jr. YPs are personal growth peer groups for youth within the community. Jr YPs help youth develop self-advocacy and leadership skills, and work to reduce the stigma attached to having a behavioral health challenge or diagnosis.
Youth ages 13-21 years of age who are within the community are welcomed. YPs are personal growth peer groups for youth affiliated with the FSO in any capacity. We engage in a variety of local events and opportunities for teens and young adults with behavioral health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), and substance use and legal challenges, whether they have been involved in CSOC services or not. YPs help youth develop self-advocacy and leadership skills, and work to reduce the stigma attached to having a behavioral health challenge or diagnosis. Click here to learn more.
Pantry
We understand that supplying basic needs for one’s family can be challenging at times. At the FSO we are able to provide canned goods and WaWa food to individuals in need. During part of the year we are able to provide fresh produce to the community through partnerships with our local farms. We may have other household items, baby care items and daily care items available throughout the year. Please note all these items are available as supplies last and are replenished through our community partners. Please call in advance to set up a time to pick up any items and see what we have in stock. If there is something you are really in need of please call and make a request and we will see how we are able to accommodate that request.
Utility Assistance
At the FSO we are able to assist individuals who are in need of obtaining financial assistance for their utilities. NJ SHARES SMART Utility Assistance provides energy (gas and electric) assistance grants to income qualified households experiencing a temporary financial crisis. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Individuals who do not qualify for federal and state utility assistance programs and have household income at or below State Median Income guidelines. NJ SHARES SMART Utility Assistance grant amounts can be up to $500 for heating source (natural gas – including cooking gas and electric heat) and can be up to $500 for electric service. All grant payments are issued directly to the utility company on the customer’s behalf.
Clothing Closet
The FSO clothing closet is filled with clothing of all sizes for children and adults, accessories, shoes and supplies provided by in-kind donations. Families can ‘shop’ in the closet for their families needs. Staff and volunteers sort clothes, pair outfits, inventory items, and keep the closet organized and tidy for families to shop. Please call our office to schedule a time to ‘shop’ in our clothing closet during the business week.
Warmlines
Call our warm line (856) 507-9400 for information and referral or just to talk about the challenges you are facing to see if we can help.
Supporting, educating and advocating for families whose children have mental, emotional, behavioral, developmental disabilities and substance abuse challenges. We have staff with multiple expertise areas to help assist with providing resources to help families advocate for needed services to address needs identified.
Workshops
We provide training, workshops, guest speakers & other events that inform and empower our families on an individual and group basis. We also advocate for families as a whole within the various systems which include Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Substance Abuse and Educational systems. We strive to ensure that the family voice is heard at all levels.