Letters from anonymous persons have been written to ACNJ - Association for Children of New Jersey, thinking that they could help, this is the response that was received...




Dear (Name withheld)

I am responding to your email regarding the closing of DCF Regional Schools. I spoke to a staff member at the Office of Education at the Department of Children and Families (DCF) regarding the issue of the closing schools. I understand your concerns and worries.

However, I was told that in fact this change will occur. I was informed that the Bergen County Regional School is due to close in September along with other Regional Schools and that the remainder of regional schools are due to close in June 2010. I was also told that the closings are dependent upon the local districts or the local county having programs/placements for the students leaving the regional programs. I was also told that local school districts/county may end up with different ways/plans of educating the children coming from these programs. For example a local district/county make take over the site of the regional school or perhaps a local school district will identify space for their students and bring them back into district to a facility/placement that meets their needs in district. Other children may go to private out of district placements. I also understand that DCF’s Office of Education is working closely with school districts/counties to help them transition the children and to give them technical assistance in developing programs. Finally, I was told that they are working on having a longer extended school year for the children transitioning from the regional programs

I suspect this information is not what you would like to receive. Again. I can understand your concerns that the programs may not be as good/expansive as the regional programs. I do however believe that the Office of Education staff are trying their best to do whatever they can to make the transition for children to new programs as smooth as possible.

If I can assist you in any other way or if you have any other questions, please telephone me at 973-643-3876.

Very truly yours,

Nina C. Peckman

Staff Attorney