(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly (D-Bergen/Passaic) released the following statement Wednesday concerning Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed changes to the Division of Youth and Family Services and the lack of specifics on how they will affect the children and families served by the agency:
“I appreciate the information and testimonials exchanged today, but concerns remain about how these proposed changes will affect needy children and families under the newly created Division of Child Protection and Permanency. I think we all have read enough news stories to know how devastating the circumstances can be when the system fails.
The Division of Youth and Family Services is responsible for protecting thousands of abused children. Improving the delivery of care to these children is a laudable goal, but we need to make sure the revisions proposed in the governor’s budget will actually achieve that.
Making the welfare of children the agency’s top priority is a step in the right direction. I look forward to further dialogue to ensure the best interests of these children are being met.”