Posted on April 15, 2020
What’s New?
Participate in Black Maternal Health Week
Posted on April 14, 2020
Stay Safe, Healthy and Connected – Preventing Child Abuse
Posted on April 13, 2020
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a campaign to empower individuals to prevent child abuse and neglect across the nation. Per a recent article on NJ.com, March has seen a 32% reduction in calls to report child abuse and neglect to New Jersey’s State Central Registry (SCR), the child abuse hotline, compared to March 2019 numbers. Other states are reporting similar decreases.
However, though we want to see a reduction in child abuse, this drop in reporting is not necessarily a positive sign. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven people all over the globe indoors, self-isolating to stay safe from the virus, but it has also broken connections to necessary supports and oversights that may prevent potential child abuse cases. DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer warns, “March is traditionally one of our highest reporting months… The reduction doesn’t necessarily mean that children are experiencing less abuse and neglect, but rather it’s not being seen or heard. And so no response is being taken. It’s not being reported.”
At the beginning of the month, the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) launched its Work to End Child Abuse and Neglect, or #WeCan campaign, distributing engaging digital tools to inform New Jersey residents of the resources available to prevent child abuse. Given the stress and anxiety that sheltering at home can cause, the #WeCan campaign has come at an opportune time to encourage everyone to stay safe, healthy and connected.
The DCF website provides helpful digital resources for managing anxiety, stress and offers free supports for people in crisis. ACNJ has compiled resources as well, including links to websites with free reading and educational materials, as well as virtual tour websites and other activities to share with children. The more that families feel supported, the less likely that child abuse and neglect will occur.
The #WeCan campaign uses the slogan, “Social distancing does not mean social isolation.” Check in with other family members and neighbors. The power of the internet makes this possible to do in more ways than ever before, including different social media platforms and even video conferences to see friends and family across the state. Even a simple phone call to talk through a problem may help divert a tragedy. Sharing resources offered by DCF, ACNJ and other advocacy groups can promote healthy mental outcomes and can even strengthen family ties.
For more information on the #WeCan campaign, visit the DCF Facebook page at facebook.com/NewJerseyDCF. In New Jersey, any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or acts of abuse should immediately call the (SCR) at 1-877 NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873) (TTY 1-800-835-5510). If the child is in immediate danger, individuals should call 911 as well as the hotline.
Social Platforms that Help Us Stay Connected
Posted on April 13, 2020
Social distancing does not mean self isolation! Below is a list of platforms available to stay in touch with other family members and neighbors. The power of the internet makes this possible to do in more ways than ever before, including different social media platforms and even video conferences to see friends and family across the state. Even a simple phone call to talk through a problem may help divert a tragedy. Staying connected can help strengthen family ties, divert stress and promote healthy mental outcomes.
- Facetime - Video Calling
o Get it on: Apple Products from the Apple App Store
o Cost: Free
o What sets it apart: This is a video calling app that can only be downloaded from the Apple App store for video calling other Apple products - Snapchat - Video Calling, Text Messaging, Video Messaging
o Get it on: Android and Apple mobile devices.
o Cost: Free
o What sets it apart: This is a video messaging app that allows all messages and
conversations to not be saved. - Whatsapp - Video Calling, Text Messaging
o Get it on: Computers, and Android and Apple mobile devices.
o Cost: Free
o What sets it apart: Whatsapp is an internationally used messaging app that is
widely popular globally. - Skype - Video Calling, Text Messaging
o Get it on: Computers, web browsers, and Android and Apple mobile devices.
o Cost: Free
o What sets it apart: Skype is a widely known video calling platform that uses
Microsoft's AI technology for features such as live translations. - Hangouts - Text Messaging, Video Calling
o Get it on: Web browsers, and Android and Apple mobile devices.
o Cost: Free
o What sets it apart: Google Hangouts is a robust communication platform on the web. - Duo - Video Calling
o Get it on: Android and Apple mobile devices
o Cost: Free
o What sets is apart: This is the Google analog to Apple Facetime. But can be used on Android phones and Iphones. - Signal / Telegram - Encrypted Text Messaging
o Get it on: Android and Apple mobile devices
o Cost: Free
o What sets it apart: Both Signal and Telegram are messaging applications that use end to end encryption. - Facebook Messenger - Video Calling, Text Messaging
o Get it on: Computers, web browsers, and Android and Apple mobile devices
o Cost: Free
o What sets it apart: This is a communication service tied to Facebook's social network. - Microsoft Teams - Video Calling, Text Messaging, Community Management, Productivity
o Get it on: Computers, web browsers, and Android and Apple mobile devices.
o Cost: Free
o What sets it apart: Teams is Microsoft's chat productivity application. It allows for collaborating and staying in contact with multiple people within the team. - Discord - Video Calling, Text Messaging, Community Management
o Get it on: Computers, and Android and Apple mobile devices
o Cost: Free
o What sets it apart: Discord is a robust community management tool. Create servers or rooms for different interests or teams to communicate and keep in touch. - FreeConference / FreeConferenceCall / FreeConferenceCalling - Conference Calling Service that is Free
o Get it on: Create the account online using an email address and use the service with a phone.
o Cost: Free
o What sets it apart: Each of the listed above are not typos. Each is an individual company that provides conference calling for free. - Google Voice - Cloud Based Phone Number
o Get it on: Computers, and Android and Apple mobile devices
o Cost: Free if used to make calls within the United States. Calls to other countries have a cost per minute.
o What sets it apart: Google Voice is a cost effective way to have a phone number and make phone calls so long as you have access to the internet. - GotoMeeting
o Get it on: Computers, and Android and Apple mobile devices
o Cost: Free for two weeks.
o What sets it apart: Video conference calling for many people - Marco Polo
o Get it on: iphone and ipad
o Cost: free
o What sets it apart: it’s like "video walkie talkie," a video chat app that lets you send quick messages back and forth.
New Jersey Child Care Subsidies and COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Posted on April 9, 2020
Back in March, ACNJ conducted a survey to evaluate the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the child care community to date. To address the concerns raised, we held multiple Q&As with leading authorities to help navigate the resources available to the child care community. Here is a list of questions from the surveys and Q&As, as well as emails, conversations with members in the community and information found on the New Jersey Child Care for COVID-19 website.
