Senator Diane Allen

July 27, 2009   

Contact: John Gorman / (609) 292-5199
Senator Diane Allen

Senator Diane Allen, R-Burlington, was angered by reports that the Corzine administration has decided to withhold the details of investigations conducted after a child under the supervision of the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) dies from abuse or neglect. The new policy of less disclosure was reported today in the Star-Ledger of Newark.

“I do not understand why the Corzine Administration would refuse to release information vital to holding our child welfare system accountable to taxpayers,” Allen stated. “When it comes to protecting our children, we need more accountability, not less.”

In the last five years more than 30 children under DYFS’s care died from abuse or neglect, the Star-Ledger reported. The state had issued annual reports detailing what happened in each child-death case, but under the new rules such reports will no longer be released.

“These reports have constantly reminded us that New Jersey is failing our children. They have, over the years, forced those in power to face and at lease partially deal with the issues. As a Legislator who has pleaded with the majority party for years to increase support and funding for DYFS, I fear that hiding this information will make it even harder to get the Governor to do the right thing.” Allen said. “I am not critical of DYFS employees. They are hard-working and dedicated public servants, and they have very difficult jobs. I am being critical of the Corzine Administration’s lack of transparency about one of the most vital functions our government undertakes – protecting our children from the horrors of abuse.”

Senator Diane Allen, R-Burlington, was angered by reports that the Corzine administration has decided to withhold the details of investigations conducted after a child under the supervision of the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) dies from abuse or neglect. The new policy of [...]