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September
17, 2003
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SEN. PAUL A. SARLO ANNOUNCES SECURING OF FUNDS FOR
THE AUDREY HEPBURN CHILDREN’S HOUSE $500,000 Will Aid Abused and Neglected Children Senator Paul A. Sarlo, visited Hackensack University Medical Center recently to announce the awarding of a $500,000 grant to The Audrey Hepburn Children's House for abused and neglected children. The grant will help the Audrey Hepburn Children's House complete its mission of providing both evaluation and treatment of abused or neglected children. Senator Sarlo, who represents the 36th Legislative District in the Senate, lauded the hospital's efforts and sought state aid for the $6.92 million expansion of the children’s house. He successfully directed $500,000 to the medical center during the June negotiations over the state budget. "Hackensack University Medical Center is leading the way in providing care to abused and neglected children," said Sen. Sarlo (D-Bergen County). "This grant will help protect those children who are most in need of our help and medical treatment.” Sen. Sarlo, who has been a vocal advocate for reform within the state Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), believes that the Children's House will provide social workers with the expert evaluation and support needed to prevent a child from remaining in a high risk situation. “The Audrey Hepburn Children's House is an innovative program that is an essential component of our state's renewed effort to make sure that no child is left behind,” Sen. Sarlo stated. “We're ensuring that DYFS workers and our children have a lifeline in an emergency. This is their 911." "I'd like to thank Senator Sarlo for his hard work in securing these funds,” said John P. Ferguson, president and chief executive officer of Hackensack University Medical Center. "As the medical center continues to dedicate itself to the communities it serves we are pleased that others join us in our efforts in helping those who are the most vulnerable – our children.” Hackensack University Medical Center established its youth protection program in 1996, treating more than 250 children from Bergen County in its first year. But with nearly 2,200 cases of child abuse in the hospital's six-county region of service (Bergen, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren), the State Legislature in 1998 designated Hackensack University Medical Center as one of four regional centers in the state to handle cases of child abuse and neglect. The house works in conjunction with law enforcement, The Division of Youth and Family Services, and other child protection agencies. The Audrey Hepburn Children's House today provides diagnostic services to children from the six counties in northern New Jersey who are victims of abuse. The program evaluated more than 596 children and their families in 2002 and treated 1,160. The number of children and their families continues to grow each year. The Audrey Hepburn Children’s House will serve as a prototype for the nation. "This facility enables us to provide 'round-the-clock' medical services to abused children and support their psychological needs in a child friendly environment,” explained Jeffrey R. Boscamp, M.D. chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief of The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. “The house is equipped with developmentally appropriate child interview rooms, art and activity rooms for creative arts therapists to work with the children, and even a protected outdoor play area. The Audrey Hepburn Children’s House is a comforting and anxiety-free setting for child abuse victims." Senator Sarlo added, "I've been familiar with the Children's House for several years now, and it was one of my top priorities when I entered the Legislature to make sure their hard work was recognized and rewarded. I think all of us are happy when we can be part of the solution in solving the terrible problem of child abuse." |
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