Child Advocacy Association of New Jersey

CAANJ

CAANJ believes that children have a right to live safely in their homes and communities

Evidence-Based Practices

Children at risk of ACEs must be given access to evidence-based practices and allowed to develop protective factors to overcome adverse experiences, heal and connect with safe caregivers.

Protecting the rights of children

Every child has the right to a safe, permanent and stable childhood. We believe that children should have equal rights as adults and that their right to safety should not be violated in favor of parental rights.

PERMANENCY

Children thrive most in safe, stable, and permanent families. CAANJ supports a child's right to permanency according to state and federal laws.

RESILIENCE

Through the power of self-regulation, emotional identification and expression, self-assertion, and tangible and soft skills, resilience can be developed and promoted to counter the effects of ACEs*.CAANJ believes that promoting resilience will improve predicted outcomes for children who have endured trauma and loss.

PERMANENT AND SAFE FAMILIES

Maintaining a consistent environment with safe and loving caregivers is a developmental need of every child. While there are quality residential and therapeutic facilities that can be used in special circumstances to help children heal who have extensive needs, whenever possible, we promote and encourage family-based solutions to help children thrive. The best environment for all children is a safe, nurturing, structured, permanent family.

BEST INTEREST

CAANJ ensures that current foster care laws and policies are upheld and followed, and advocates for new legislation and policies to prioritize a child's best interest.

ATTACHMENT

Attachment is the cornerstone of healthy development and life-long relational capacity. By promoting a child's healthy attachment, we prioritize a child's right to healthy caregivers who are safe and stable.

PREVENTION IDENTIFICATION AND EARLY DETECTION

All children who have been adopted and in foster care have experienced ACEs and are at an increased risk of negative outcomes across all domains. CAANJ emphasizes the importance of quick responses to child abuse, the importance of predicting and detecting abuse, and understanding the risk factors for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)*.

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Miriam’s Heart,the New Jersey CarePortal Network,and Child Advocacy Association of New Jersey (CAANJ), serve diverse constituents, including government agencies, churches of various denominations, businesses, schools, and other faith-based ministries and secular organizations with a focus on helping to support children and families in crisis regardless of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, political leanings or any other excuse used to

withhold help from those in need.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:17