Dear Children's System of Care partner,

Thank you for your continued work to ensure the safety of children and youth during COVID-19. These are challenging times and we know that many of the youth and families we serve lack the basic necessities that make sheltering in place and social distancing manageable. Families may be in close quarters, and stressors can be exacerbated as workers are furloughed, money is tight, supplies are scarce, and tempers may be short.

We know that incidents of child abuse and neglect can increase, even while reports of child abuse and neglect decrease. If a child isn't reporting to school, visiting friends or family in the community, or seeing a pediatrician for routine physical checkups, there aren't enough 'eyes on' to spot the warning signs for abuse and neglect. As a result, since the beginning of March, child abuse and neglect reports have declined 32%. We need your help.

NJ DCF has created a QR code that can be used by providers and others serving youth in online presentations or telehealth. Using any mobile device's camera, one can 'capture' a web address that leads to a poster designed specifically for children, with a list of hotlines and helplines. The QR code is discreet, which allows children to access the information or resources they need to be safe.

We're asking you to use this QR code in your online youth interactions. It can be copy/pasted into Zoom or Google classroom backgrounds or into email signatures. #BridgeTheGap. Together we can help to keep NJ's children safe, healthy and connected.

Thank you.

Nicole Brossoie
Chief, Office of Public Affairs
NJ Department of Children & Families
609-888-7915

Facebook: @NewJerseyDCF
Instagram: @NewJerseyDCF
Twitter: @NJDCF