Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
Jeffrey Fetzko, ACSW, LSW, CFRE
Vol. 5, No. 14, July 12, 2007
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.
Brahma House - "short-term group home" and "shelter"
It is easy to see the changes in the physical appearance of Brahma House but when Brahma House reopened last month there were quite a few programmatic changes that set us apart from other shelters and group homes throughout the state.
As part of our continuing negotiations with the State of New Jersey, Department of Children and Families, Division of Youth and Family Services, Brahma House has converted it's contract for 12 of it's 16 beds to a "short-term group home" contract. Brahma House continues to hold a 4 bed shelter license in addition to the 12 bed group home license.
Brahma House continues to be committed to the Family Court and the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth programs. The 4 bed shelter program accommodates referrals from the NJ Superior Court-Family Part (aka Family Court), the Family Crisis Intervention Unit (FCIU) and self-referrals or walk-ins under the (federal) Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
This dual license and creative funding stream gives us the ability to remain flexible and service youth from a variety of situations and circumstances. Our goal focus on the youth and their needs and not let funding stand in the way of services.
The Brahma House group home program works differently than most other group homes in New Jersey. Most licensed group homes in New Jersey are funded by Medicaid and youth admitted to these programs have a major clinical diagnosis. Brahma House differs from these programs in that not all youth need a major clinical diagnosis to be admitted for services.
Each youth receives a clinical assessment, an individualized treatment plan and counseling. Most stays will not exceed 90 days as the treatment/placement plan is implemented.
Advocacy...it does make a difference
On June 28th, Governor Corzine signed the new $33.47 billion State of New Jersey budget which began on July 1, 2007. Somerset Home is proud to have helped to accomplish real improvements in the state budget and I want to thank all of you who participated in this advocacy process.
Our accomplishments include...
- 3% cost of living adjustment in our state contracts, which is one percent more than the Governor had put in his initial budget
- An additional $1 million was put in the budget to alleviate hunger
- Tenants with incomes below $50,000 will receive up to $350 in rebates
- The income ceiling was raised for the Earned Income Tax Credit Program
- There are NO Medicaid co-pays in this budget
As always, thank you all for your continued hard work on behalf of our youth.
