New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Response Time Is Focus of Investigation of Children’s Deaths

OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Industry News New Jersey Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) findings in three cases of children's death center around several recurring themes related to the Department of Human Services' response to allegations of child abuse and neglect, including screening of allegations, investigative practices, case handling, decision making, documentation, and the need to link struggling families with adequate support services. The OCA found that in the cases of three children, the responsibility of acquiring services to stabilize or reunite the family was frequently placed on the parent, oftentimes because Department . . .