The YMCA of the Jersey Shore helps strengthen individuals and families through extensive of outreach services through the New Jersey Division of Children’s System of Care Services and the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly Division of Youth and Family Services).

Division of Children’s System of Care Services Programs

BEHAVIORAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Behavioral Assistance provides specific, outcome oriented interventions that are determined by the family, referring agency and a licensed therapist. Using strength based model, Behavioral Assistance helps to foster a higher quality of life for those children and families participating in the program. Behavioral Assistants have the skills needed to address behaviors such as anger management, oppositional behaviors, self esteem and acting out behaviors. In addition, staff has been trained to address specific issues such as ADHD, Asperger’s and Autism.
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Behavioral Assistance Flier (PDF)

MENTORING PROGRAM
Mentoring is a support program that provides, social, recreational and educational services to children and adolescents. This community-based initiative is intended to provide outlets for children to increase their self-esteem and self-awareness. Mentors provide one-on-one support to children and youth within the community they live, helping to connect them to recreational activities within their neighborhoods.
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Mentoring Program Flier – English (PDF)
PARENT COACHING
Parent Coaching works with parents to help in overcoming obstacles and improving the quality of life for those involved in the program. Services are provided to the parent and include areas such as positive parenting, appropriate discipline, budgeting, household maintenance and self-care. Parent Coaches work within the home, as well as provide advocacy services and case management for the parents they serve.
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Parent Coaching Flier (PDF)
INTENSIVE IN-COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Intensive In-Community Services provide emotional and behavior health services for children and their families. YMCA community-based services are family-driven, strength-based services that are culturally diverse and easily accessible. Ongoing support for families may include YMCA membership, summer camp, financial assistance and holiday programs.Specialized services areas include: anger management; substance abuse evaluations and counseling; autistic spectrum disorders; bi-polar, mood and anxiety disorders; sexual abuse, trauma and attachment disorders; domestic violence; grief and loss; ODD and behavioral disorders; Attention Deficit Disorder/ADHD.

Division of Child Protection and Permanency Contracted Programs

SUPPORTIVE VISITATION SERVICES

The YMCA of the Jersey Shore is the Supportive Visitation Services (SVS) service provider for Monmouth and Ocean Counties per the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.

SVS, as designed and managed by the Division of Family & Community Partnerships, Office of Family Preservation & Reunification, provides therapeutic and supportive visitation facilitated by a mental health professional or a specially trained specialist to families that have experienced separation as a safety intervention. Recipients are families involved with DCP&P whose children, from birth up to age 17, are in out-of-home placements and working toward reunification, Kinship Legal Guardianship (KLG), or adoption. Components include pre-visit prep, the visit, and post visit debrief at the least restrictive settling possible based on assessment, DCF Parent-Child Visitation Planning Tool, and family’s request including Family Home, Kin, or Resource Parent’s Home, Park, Library, etc., The agency’s office, or the family’s DCP&P office.

  • THERAPEUTIC VISITATION – For families needing significant clinical interventions for behavioral, developmental, relational, or safety issues. Led by Therapeutic Visitation Specialists, visits focus on parent-child attachment, emotional regulation, parent competency, and use trauma-informed methods.
  • SUPPORTIVE VISITATION – Ideal for families needing minimal clinical support, yet benefiting from coaching, mentoring, and skill development by a trained professional. Led by the Supportive Visitation Specialist, these visits enhance parental skills through goal setting, modeling, mentoring, reinforcement, and feedback.
  • SUPERVISED VISITATION – Suitable for families needing support for safe visits without major intervention. Visits are led by a relative, family friend, or the contracted agency’s Visitation Aide to reinforce clinical gains. The contracted agency works with DCP&P to confirm visit supervisors, oversee visits, and attends one visit monthly to ensure family safety.
  • UNSUPERVISED VISITATION – Unsupervised visits. The contracted agency shall provide oversight and monitoring and attend at least one monthly visit to ensure families are safe and stable.

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Supportive Visitation Services Flier (PDF)

BRIEF STRATEGIC FAMILY THERAPY (BSFT)

The YMCA of the Jersey Shore is the Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) service provider for Monmouth, Ocean, and Mercer Counties per the New Jersey Department of Children and Families.

Brief Strategic Family Therapy is an evidenced-based, trauma-informed family therapy program. BSFT utilizes interventions to change interactions and create a healthy family unit that sees the caregivers as trustworthy leaders of the household. BSFT is designed for families to learn how to effectively manage behaviors, strengthen familial relationships, and improve parenting structure to assist in stabilizing youth and themselves. The intervention aims to increase safety, mitigate risks, and prevent children from being placed out of the home.

  • BSFT services families in their home with household members as a unit, and with individual family members as needed. Sessions may be offered at an off-site location at the family’s request.
  • In-home family therapy sessions are offered at least once a week for 60-90 minutes. Additional sessions are offered, when clinically recommended.
  • Therapists will have flexible hours to meet the family needs, including nights and weekends.
  • The duration of the service is 12-17 weeks, depending on the family’s need.

Families are referred by DCPP. Coming Soon: Mobile Response and CMO referrals.

  • The program is designed for families with youth, ages 6-17, experiencing life interfering behaviors including, but not limited to:
    • externalizing behaviors (such as truancy, probation concerns, substance use)
    • internalizing disorders (anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms)
    • family instability or risk for out of home placement
  • The child must reside in the home with their legal custodian.
  • BSFT is the sole psychotherapy provided for the family and its members throughout the intervention. If needed, therapists will coordinate and support connections to additional service needs i.e., psychiatric care.
  • Families must be open with DCP&P at the time of the referral and for the duration of the service

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Brief Strategic Family Therapy Flier (PDF)

FAMILY CARE PROGRAM

Child Mentor Program – This support program provides positive adult role models to children and adolescents to increase their self-esteem and self-awareness. Social, recreational and education services are provided.

Parent Mentor Program – Parent coaches provide support and guidance to assist parents in achieving techniques needed to overcome obstacles they may be facing. Areas of need may include, budgeting, household maintenance, basic parenting skills, behavior modification, time management, stress management and self-care.

For more information on Outreach Services
Call: 732.544-4544
E-mail: outreach@ymcanj.org