Care Plus NJ, Inc. (“CarePlus”) is excited to launch the Bergen County Council for Young Children (BCCYC), a community project funded by a competitive grant opportunity from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.
The program will be launched with a Kickoff Party on Thursday, September 17th, 2015 from 6pm-8pm at the Bergen Family Center, located at 44 Armory Street in Englewood. Families with children up to 8 years of age – and parents who planning on having children – are invited to join for food, community connectedness, giveaways and group discussions to enhance children’s lives in the community.
The County Council for Young Children has been working to create a safe and constructive forum for families in counties throughout New Jersey since 2010. Participants assemble to connect over conversations regarding needs, concerns, and successes in raising their children.
CarePlus is a primary and behavioral health care organization that was selected to bring the program into Bergen County.The goal of this project is to better meet the needs of families in the local community. CarePlus has multiple locations throughout northern New Jersey, which gives the organization an expansive reach to potential BCCYC participants.
“We feel that it is necessary for families to connect and identify issues in the community,” said Jennifer Loaiza, Project Coordinator for BCCYC at CarePlus. “Receiving input from people that are actually a part of a larger system and community will allow for us to advocate as well as improve the programs and services that are being offered.”
BCCYC provides an opportunity for families to come together and become active community partners. Many topics will be covered in the discussions including the health, education and well-being of their children. The group will also provide an outlet for ideas, opinions and solutions to build stronger connections for children and families within the community.
“These conversations will encompass everything from pregnancy through school entry,” Loaiza continued. “We are expecting a diverse mix of parents, caregivers, guardians and other community members.”
CarePlus reported that one goal of this project is to receive feedback on important issues including the availability, affordability, and accessibility of existing programs and services for children in Bergen County. Other subjects may include healthcare, arts, recreation, local authorities, schools, special-needs services, parent education, foster care and adoption.
For more information and to RSVP by September 15th for the Kickoff Party, contact Jennifer Loaiza at 201-265-8200 x5286 or email at JenniferLo@CarePlusNJ.org.
CarePlus NJ, INC. is dedicated to excellence in mental healthcare and has a commitment to life-long support needed by individuals and their families to ensure that they achieve their full potential and improve the quality of their lives.
