The New Jersey Legislature and United States Congress offers parents and family members an excellent opportunity to advocate for meaningful reform that will have wide-ranging effects for parents and children in the Mental Health and Juvenile Justice system. Both legislatures are comprised of representatives, all of whom are directly elected by the people from your legislative districts. Their most important responsibility is to create the laws that everyone must follow!
The New Jersey Parents’ Caucus will publicize legislation that will affect the areas of Mental Health and Juvenile Justice. There will be members of the New Jersey Legislature and United States Congress who’ll push to make thoughtful changes that’ll improve the services our children require, and there will be legislators who will push back. Their names and statements on the matter will be made available on our website and Facebook page (facebook.com/njpcyouthjusticeinitiative and facebook.com/newjerseyparentscaucus).
The unification of your individual voices is what makes this coalition of parents and caregivers strong. It is with your support by way of signing and mailing letters to representatives, reaching out to other families, publicizing stories of injustice and mistreatment, etc., is how parents, family members, and our young people will succeed in making sure that all children are able to receive all the support they need to become loving, contributing adults. The New Jersey Parents’ Caucus will provide all the tools our coalition needs through the Legislative Advocacy Training, in addition to our Professional Parent Advocacy training programs. Families will learn how to reach out to legislators in order to have the opportunity to effectively share their stories and relevant information about the issues. The New Jersey Parents’ Caucus will also reach out to legislators in order to personally connect them with families whom a bill will impact, and to collaborate on events and actions that will increase awareness and garner support on issues or specific bills.