NEWARK, NJ – Following a two-decade effort to enhance the child welfare system in New Jersey, a final report by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP) declares a victory in the longstanding federal lawsuit, Charlie and Nadine H. v. Murphy. The lawsuit’s closure symbolizes New Jersey’s substantial strides towards an improved child welfare framework, focusing on the well-being, safety, and familial connections of the children involved.
In 2006, the Honorable Stanley R. Chesler of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey appointed CSSP as the Federal Monitor in the lawsuit, with the mission to uplift the lives of children, youth, and families under the state’s child welfare ambit. CSSP’s role entailed an independent evaluation of the State’s adherence to the lawsuit’s objectives, ensuring a meticulous reform in policies and programs.
The stepping stone to ending federal scrutiny was the formulation of an Exit Plan and Agreement by the parties involved, including the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF), Governor Phil Murphy, and Plaintiff’s lawyers from A Better Childhood. This plan outlined crucial steps to ensure the sustainability of the reforms, such as developing a comprehensive qualitative review system, legal codifications of lawsuit requirements, and the establishment of the Staffing and Oversight Review Subcommittee (SORS) under the New Jersey Task Force on Abuse and Neglect. The New Jersey legislature, on December 20, 2022, ratified the SORS legislation, embedding stipulations like caseload standards and community-centric child care into law.
An addendum report, reflecting on the six-month Transition Period ending on October 25, assesses the progress made by DCF in fulfilling its obligations. The report sheds light on the newly introduced Collaborative Quality Improvement process, which is instrumental in reviewing DCF’s performance and identifying areas of improvement.
The culmination of federal oversight underscores a pivotal transformation in New Jersey’s child welfare system. The efforts led to a remarkable reduction in the number of children in foster care, a shift from 10,000 to 3,000 children, alongside a remarkable enhancement in staff training, data utilization, and quality improvement processes.
Federal Court Monitor Judith Meltzer commended the monumental achievements of the State of New Jersey, emphasizing the significant role played by the judiciary, state legislature, and dedicated DCF staff in this journey towards reform.
With the release of the final CSSP report, New Jersey embarks on a new chapter, cherishing the milestones achieved while aspiring for continued excellence in child welfare. DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer expressed gratitude towards all contributors to the reform journey and displayed an earnest anticipation for the progressive trajectory that lies ahead for child welfare in New Jersey.