Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
Jeffrey Fetzko, ACSW, LSW, CFRE
Vol. 4, No. 14, July 13, 2006
The Executive Director's News is published every two weeks, specifically for the employees of the Somerset Home. This issue and past issues are available on our web site at http://www.somersethome.org/main/pages/employee_newsletter.htm.
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How would you like to boost your income by up to 3%? Our 401(k) match program has just doubled! Now, Somerset Home will match all of your 401(k) pre-tax contributions, dollar for dollar, up to 3%!
Any employee who works more than 1,000 hours per year is eligible. To learn more, please contact Barbara Kreutzer, manager administrative services.
Check out the full employee manual and other employee resources on the Somerset Home web site at: http://www.somersethome.org/main/pages/employee.htm
Welcome Artresia!
Please join me in welcoming Artresia Fryar in her new position as residential supervisor!
Artresia began at Brahma House one year ago as a youth counselor, was promoted to senior youth counselor and has now accepted the position of residential supervisor. In her new position she will be responsible for hiring, training and evaluating weekend staff and will act as the weekend supervisor. She will continue to work on the frontline with the residents and staff allowing her the opportunity to complete on the job training with staff. She will also complete grocery shopping, fire drills and ensure the program is adhering to all licensing and accrediting body standards.
Good luck in your new position Artresia!
State of New Jersey (finally) Adopts a $30 billion+ Budget
While the shutdown of the State of New Jersey caused minor inconveniences for many of us there were no ill effects on our agency as the result of the government one week shutdown. And there is some very good news in the new budget for child welfare services.
1) There is a new Department of Children and Families or DCF. Approximately $1.5 billion of the current $10 billion budget of the Department of Human Services will get spun off to create the new department. DCF will be the new home to the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) and the Division of Child Behavioral Health (DCBH), where many of Somerset Home's operating contracts come from.
2) One of the best features of the new budget is an additional $60 million for continued expansion of child welfare reform efforts. Part of this expanded funding will be dedicated to the continued expansion of TLP programs such as Whitney House and My Place which were funded from child welfare expansion funds in 2004 and 2005.
3) The budget also included a 1% across the board increase for all of our state contracts.
This budget was a very hard fought battle and child welfare services were considered a priority and funded generously while many other services and programs were cut.
As always, thank you all for your continued hard work on behalf of our youth.
