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County Hosts Forum On Child Safety
OCEAN COUNTY - Ocean County hosted a public form on what the state can do to help keep children and families safe.
Staff from the State Department of Children and Families listened to input from professionals, community leaders and the public during two sessions on March 12 at the main branch of the Ocean County Library.
"One of the big questions is how do we get help to families sooner than later," said Carole Dortch-Wright, deputy director of communications and legislation for the Department of Children and Families.
Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who is also liaison to the Ocean County Department of Human Services, addressed the afternoon forum and spoke of the importance of all levels of government working together to keep children safe.
He commended the state for looking outward and listening to input from the community.
"This could have been just an internal administrative process, but this new department made the right decisions to seek input from local families, local professionals and local community leaders," Little said.
Among the topics addressed were how the various government agencies that assist children and families can better cooperate.
"The state and the county have the same goal - to make sure our children are safe. It just makes sense that we should work together," Little said.
The state also sought input on prevention and new ways families can be strengthened so domestic problems are stopped before they can begin.
Little said one of the most important aspects of the forums was the input received from families.
"It is important to listen to the perspective of mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, grandparents and siblings when developing programs for families," Little said.
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