Advocacy E-news May 27, 2020

May 27, 2020

 

Murphy slashes $1.3B in spending to fix state budget

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy plans to cut $1.3 billion in spending and draw down much of the state’s meager savings to close the deficit his administration predicts this fiscal year as the coronavirus pandemic ravages state tax collections and a total of $10 million through the end of the next fiscal year. So far announced funds at risk include funds for new initiatives, special education and substance abuse treatment.

See the NJ.com story

 

NJ Dept. of Children and Families Announces $9 Million in Emergency Funding for Congregate Care Providers

The New Jersey Department of Children and Families announced today the release of $9 million in emergency funding for providers of children’s residential treatment, and shelter services for children and families. These services comprise a critical portion of the NJ DCF network of support for children with behavioral and developmental needs, survivors of domestic violence, parents seeking help with substance use disorder, and adolescents transitioning out of foster care to independent living.

See the announcement

 

Report examines how COVID-19 pandemic will change public education in New Jersey

The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), which represents more than 500 public boards of education statewide, has issued a 37-page report titled “Searching for a ‘New Normal’ In New Jersey’s Public Schools” that examines how the coronavirus is changing education in the state. The report makes 10 recommendations for how the state and public schools should prepare for reopening in the fall. Mental Health is number one.

Go to the Planet Princeton story

 

NJ police open ‘resiliency room’ to promote mental health

Particularly intense emergency calls and the emotional scenes of fatal accidents can affect those who respond even after they clock out. Long Branch’s new room is the first of its kind in any New Jersey department to combat work-related stress, which experts say may contribute to the high number of police suicides.

Learn more