ACNJ served on New Jersey’s Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents, which examined how social media impacts young people. The Commission published recommendations aimed at preserving social media’s benefits while reducing potential harms – including banning cellphones at school and delaying social media access until age 16. More in the News: […]
Category: Positive Youth Development
Investing in Positive Youth Development to Address NJ’s Youth Mental Health Crisis
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin Will NJ’s Future Governor Address Youth Mental Health? Isaiah Fudge Director of Positive Youth Development For more information on this topic, contact Isaiah at ifudge@acnj.org. Young people are struggling to cope with stress, anxiety and depression, and it’s persistently showing up in their daily lives, especially post-COVID. New Jersey is facing […]
The Missing Curriculum: Why Social Emotional Character Development (SECD) Matters
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin Authored by: Adriana Bland Deborah T. Poritz Summer Public Interest Legal Fellowship Program, LSNJ For more information on positive youth development efforts, contact Isaiah Fudge at Ifudge@acnj.org. Social Emotional Character Development is a Whole-Child Approach to Youth Success Social Emotional Character Development (SECD) is a whole-child approach designed to help youth […]
Happy Healthy Dads = Happy Healthy Children
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin By Keith Hadad Staff Writer For more information on this topic (or for more dad jokes!), contact Isaiah at ifudge@acnj.org. This Father’s Day, let’s take time to appreciate how much love, joy, and fun fathers bring into the lives of their families. Being the best superhero, teacher, and role model a […]
Anfry’s Story: Developing Character Through Faith and Relationships
Facebook X (Twitter) Linkedin This is video 4 of the Y.E.S. (Youth Expert Stakeholders) video Series. Anfry’s story makes it clear: Relationships play a powerful role in youth development and success. It truly takes a village to raise a youth, and caring positive adult role models at school or at a faith-based program can be […]

