New Jersey Alliance of Family Support Organizations
Holds First Statewide Conference

In a day that was described as “outstanding” “awesome” and “inspiring”, 110 adults and 40 youth attended the first New Jersey Alliance of Family Support Organizations Conference at the Busch Campus of Rutgers University on Saturday, September 30^th 2006.  On this history making day, New Jersey’s children were the key focus and the reason for this truly informative and monumental occasion. If you came to this conference for answers on how to help keep our children safe, you certainly left satisfied. .  A parent/educator said:  “I went to this workshop as an educator.  After listening and learning, I realized that one of my students showed suicidal tendencies.  Now I can go home, figure and out how to try to fix the possible problem.”

Ometa Richey from the Hudson County FSO, began the day with her absolutely tremendous a cappella version of the Star Spangled Banner. It was followed by Rosemarie Lobretto’s heartfelt and warm welcome to the parents and youth attending this first ever NJAFSO conference and her introduction of Dr. Bruce Stout, Director of the Division of Child Behavioral Health Services, Department of Children and Families.  

Dr. Stout discussed the need for individualized service plans for our youth with their families fully involved in the care planning.  He explained that there is opportunity for change in our system of care.  Dr. Stout strongly encouraged parents and families to visit the DCBHS web site to locate the dates, times and locations for upcoming public forums.  Dr. Stout was then presented with a back pack from the youth participants containing items from their individual counties and warmly thanked the youth. 

Presentations included Ricky Rodriguez’s overview on the popular web site Myspace.com and tips on how to keep our children safe while using this and other sites like it. Investigator David Brubaker from the Ocean County Prosecutors office, Computer Crimes Unit provided information on internet safety and gave some startling facts related to computer crimes against children (He later compassionately apologized to the audience for “upsetting” them.) Dr. Mark Perrin, President of the New Jersey chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) addressed parents’ concerns regarding proper medication of children and also presented all attendees with his book “Psychiatric Medications in Children”. Jim Romer elaborated on the prevention of suicide. He was followed by speaker Loretta Dumas, who courageously took the stage to tell “her” story of being the parent survivor of two children who committed suicide. She walked off the stage to a standing ovation. And the final presenter, Lt. Edwin Torres, an expert on gang awareness, presented in a way that was brutally honest, but in such a fashion that he was entertaining yet firm. 

Participation from the Youth Partnership across the state was said to be “excellent”, as the youth closed the conference presenting their activity from earlier in the day; posters, songs and logos depicting their various views on different topics that affect youth all over the world. 

This was an absolutely emotional yet deeply inspiring day for us. “I am grateful to have been able to attend the NJAFSO’s 1st annual statewide conference. The day was full of information; education and the opportunity to meet new and exciting people. It can only be described as like reading a book that you never want to end and then the long awaited sequel. My most memorable and inspiring point however was getting to spend time with the youth”, said Kerry Krauss parent from Morris/Sussex Counties. “It was truly a day that made history for families across the State of New Jersey.  I can’t wait until next year!" stated Sondra Dublinsky, parent from Atlantic and Cape May Counties.