Read more: State aid to help local groups tackle youth issues
“New Jersey is dropping a quarter-million-dollars into supporting the efforts of a network of 100-plus agencies across Cumberland County trying to deal with delinquent youth problems in the county’s three cities.
The Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition is one of six organizations receiving grants for the purpose from the state Attorney General’s Office. It is one of only two organizations to get the full funding package.
The award is in two parts spread over two years. The coalition receives a $125,000 for year one. It can qualify to receive the same sum in year two.
The 2-year-old coalition has its origin in outreach efforts at the Vineland Police Department, in particular its police chaplaincy program. The department has used chaplains for almost seven years, and its introduced the program locally and around the state.
It also builds on directives from the Attorney General’s Office to find alternative to charging and incarcerating youths.
Cumberland County government has given the youth development coalition $60,000 annually for the last two years, as the group has expanded its efforts from Vineland into Millville and Bridgeton.
The best use of the money and best outcomes grant were the topics for representatives of local and county governments, the university, and agencies meeting at Cumberland County College on Friday morning to discuss the award.”