The annual financial cost to taxpayers for treatment, social services, education and incarceration runs into the billions of dollars nationally. Child advocates say state officials must keep increasing funding to the Division of Youth and Family Services, as they have in the last two budgets. Children's Rights, a national advocacy group that is suing the state, contends DYFS still doesn't have funding equivalent to its 1992 budget. DYFS caseworkers complain more staff is necessary to adequately supervise the children who need help. Child advocates say that when DYFS caseloads top 60 children or more, as happens in some urban areas of New Jersey, workers can't adequately protect children.
Advocates urge more citizen involvement.
The state needs at least 300 more foster homes to address current needs. County child placement review boards, which help DYFS and the courts decide on permanent placements for abused children, also need more volunteers. Here are some questions to ask and signs to look for if you suspect a child is being abused.