Community Connections Workshop

SOMERVILLE – Somerset County Freeholder Robert Zaborowski announced that the county Office of Youth Services will be presenting a workshop twice in March about the New Jersey Children’s System of Care.  The first session will be for parents (March 20); the second workshop (March 28) is intended for professionals who work with children and families.

Both workshops will be held in the first floor conference room at the Somerset County Human Services Building, located at 27 Warren Street. To register, contact Andrea Clegg at clegg@co.somerset.nj.us or (908) 704-6333. Checks can be made payable to Friends of Somerset County Youth. 

Elizabeth Manley, executive director of the Children’s System of Care at the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, will review the variety of services that are available and provide information on the best way to access the services. 

Workshop for Parents & Caregivers – March 20

As a parent, if you’re confused about how or when to access services from the State’s system, this workshop is for you. The program on Thursday, March 20, will be strictly for parents and caregivers of children and youth up to age 21 who exhibit emotional/behavioral challenges or intellectual/developmental delays. 

The fee for the program is $5, which includes light refreshments. The presentation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Registration will start at 6:30 p.m. 

Professionals who Work With Children and Families – March 28

The second workshop, intended for professionals who work with children and families, will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 28. Morning registration will start at 8:30 a.m.  A light breakfast will be available.

The fee for the program is $20. Professional development credits will be made available. During the day, parking is available in the adjacent parking deck, third level or higher.

The Children's System of Care, or CSOC, (formerly the Division of Child Behavioral Health Services) serves children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral health challenges and their families; and children with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families. CSOC is committed to providing these services based on the needs of the child and family in a family-centered, community-based environment.

All proceeds from the workshop will benefit Friends of Somerset County Youth, which is a non-profit organization established to help address unmet needs of youth by providing resources to existing and emerging youth service organizations.

For more information about Somerset County Office of Youth Services’ workshops, contact Cindy Britt at (908) 704-6352 or britt@co.somerset.nj.us.