ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey builds a brighter future for children by promoting family wellness, positive parenting, healthy child development, and nurturing communities.
The Child Wellness Institute builds resilience and social-emotional health in children and families.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every child has a happy, healthy, and safe childhood—free of abuse and neglect.
Our Values
RESPONSIBILITY: We accept our responsibility as adults to help ensure New Jersey children have healthy, abuse-free childhoods.
INTEGRITY: We act with integrity in everything we say and do.
RELATIONSHIPS: We believe everyone has a role to play in prevention, and welcome partnerships and alliances to benefit the children and families we serve.
FAMILY: We provide a family-friendly work environment and promote wellness for our staff.
INNOVATION: We embrace change using data and research when it contributes to a healthier, safer world for children.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
We teach parents about positive parenting, and we educate professionals about how to support parents in raising healthy children.
CONNECTIONS MATTER
We provide training and technical assistance to a statewide network of 100+ facilitators reaching every county to prevent and heal from Adverse Childhood Experiences and promote Positive Childhood Experiences.
ESSEX PREGNANCY AND PARENTING CONNECTION (EPPC)
We link expectant and new parents in Essex County to a range of supportive services, including home visiting.
GROW NJ KIDS
Our Technical Assistance Specialists coach and mentor early childhood education professionals in 7 counties as they work to improve the quality of their infant/toddler, preschool and family childcare programs.
The Grow NJ Kids quality rating and improvement system will help parents make more informed decisions about their child’s education.
HEALTHY FAMILIES AMERICA (HFA)
This national home visiting program promotes child well-being and prevents abuse and neglect of children through family-focused and empathic support provided in the home.
Evidence-based home visiting programs are the most effective strategy known to prevent child abuse and improve a broad array of child health and development outcomes. HFA programs are found in all 21 counties throughout the state.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION
We educate those who work with youth about the danger of commercial sexual exploitation of children.
PARENTS AS TEACHERS (PAT)
This national home visiting program builds strong communities, thriving families, and children who are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. Through individualized visits provided in family homes, families improve positive parenting practices, are more likely to detect possible developmental delays, and prevent child abuse and neglect. PCA-NJ supports PAT programs in 20 NJ counties and throughout Maryland, New York, Vermont, and Washington, DC.
PARENT LINKING PROGRAM (PLP)
We provide adolescent parents at 7 schools with the support needed in order for them to graduate high school and strengthen their parenting skills.
PEACEFUL PRACTICES
Via our Child Wellness Institute, we teach students techniques to help them self-regulate.
PERIOD OF PURPLE® CRYING
We prevent shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma) with the evidence-based Period of PURPLE® Crying Program and Click for Babies campaign, providing educational materials and infant hats to partnering agencies.
YOUNG PARENT COALITION
We increase access to evidence-based prevention programs for young parents and improve overall fathering practices for young dads ages 14-21.
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Handmade purple infant hats were knitted & crocheted by volunteers in support of our CLICK for Babies Campaign
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%
Of participants in our Protecting Children by Supporting Families training felt more confident in their role supporting families and learned new ways of engaging families
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Conferences and community events attended by our staff, distributing thousands of education materials on parenting best practices and prevention of child abuse & neglect
0
+
Professionals and community members educated on prevention of child abuse & neglect, positive discipline and domestic minor sex trafficking
This past year we held a free virtual conference for PCA-NJ staff and the public to attend our child abuse and neglect prevention training: Protecting Children by Supporting Families. This workshop helps those who work with families understand and connect families to the resources they need to reduce stress and prevent child maltreatment. Our two workshops united 104 representatives of numerous organizations.
Through Connections Matter, we provide technical assistance and training support to facilitators statewide.
We recently invited the Executive Director of the New Jersey Department of Children & Families Office of Staff Health and Wellness to speak about Psychological Safety in our professional and personal lives.
Our facilitators engaged in group and individual activities to improve their communication and team dynamics.
We awarded training items, and facilitators left with Connections Matter materials and pinwheels in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“Our journey with Grow NJ Kids Star Rating Program has been nothing short of incredible. When we first joined in 2014, we were excited but also nervous. We knew there would be challenges ahead with a new curriculum, teachers committing to more professional development, and changes.
My teachers and students have come so far navigating hard work, challenges, and a bit of stress! This program has been such a valuable resource for my preschool, and I couldn’t be happier with the growth, quality, and success we’ve achieved together, especially with the help of Joy Baker.
Grow NJ Kids has helped us grow in quality, confidence, and community—and for that, I am deeply grateful.”
— Lisa Barbarino
The Children’s Center for Learning in South Amboy achieved a major milestone by earning a 5-Star Rating from Grow NJ Kids, the highest level of recognition in New Jersey’s early childhood quality rating system. Since beginning their journey in 2014, the center demonstrated a strong commitment to curriculum implementation, professional development, and quality standards, earning a 4-Star Rating in 2018. With the guidance of Owner/Director Lisa Barbarino and support of Technical Assistance Specialist Joy Baker, the program successfully navigated challenges such as staff turnover, the pandemic, and curriculum differences with the district. Their perseverance, innovation, and dedication to quality helped the center reach this pinnacle of success, serving as an inspiring example for early childhood programs across the state.
In April, our Home Visiting Department celebrated the inaugural National Home Visiting Appreciation Week, sharing the important work of home visiting throughout New Jersey—especially the HFA and PAT networks—with a weeklong social media campaign. Home visiting programs help parents meet the unique needs of their children, promote healthy development, strengthen family relationships, reduce the risk of abuse and neglect, and support community connections.
National Home Visiting Appreciation Week allowed PCA-NJ to highlight the great work of our partners and increased awareness of the benefits of home visiting, made possible by the training and implementation supports provided by our Home Visiting team. With PCA-NJ’s support, Caring for Kids in Cape May County was awarded PAT’s Losos Prize for Innovation in October 2024 for their pioneering work to address food insecurity; Union County programs provided parent leadership education; and parents can thrive.
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Group sessions supported adolescent parents with information on child development, healthy relationships, and life skills
0
%
Seniors graduated high school
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Students from 7 high schools attended the Annual PLP Conference
0
%
Of PLP participants were promoted to the next grade level
0
%
Of PLP youth did not have another pregnancy while in high school
At our Annual PLP Conference, we recognized fathers who successfully completed the 24/7 Dads curriculum. PLP youth participated in a contest by creating an acrostic poem with their child’s name with a narrative explanation on the back. We received vibrant creative entries reflecting effort, creativity and pride. The entries showed the students’ commitment and love for their children exemplifying the conference theme: “The Art of Parenting: Empowering Children through Creativity.”
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Sessions of Young Fathers for fathers were hosted
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%
Of Young Fathers United members reported a better understanding of manhood and expressed interest in continued learning about fatherhood
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Meetings were convened with 206 professionals statewide to support adolescent parents
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Members and 5 young parent leaders participated at our Annual Statewide YPC Summit
0
+
People attended our Father Fest including 14 young fathers under age 27
Gabriella and Uriel graduated from New Brunswick High School with high honors and are attending Rutgers University. They served as Young Parent Leaders in our Young Parent Coalition, and they shared their story at our Annual YPC Summit. They successfully advocated for young parents by providing their unique perspectives in coalition meetings with providers and sharing resources
and opportunities with their peers.
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Inquiries were received via Connecting NJ from families residing in 21 Essex County towns
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Families were connected with more than 1,500 referrals to community resources
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We offered 12 workshops on social determinants of health
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Our early childhood specialists received 200 referrals to support families with developmental health related inquiries
EPPC supported the new Family Connects NJ program resulting in 500+ nurse home visits for new mothers in Essex County.
More than 60 Essex County families attended our 11th Annual Parenting Palooza where they engaged with 25 community organizations and attended workshops on wellness and parenting.
EPPC is committed to educating community members about preeclampsia, a leading cause of preventable maternal death in NJ.
Our Parent Cafes, using the Be Strong Family Model, are fun and educational. Families learn about the Five Protective Factors and enjoy food, fun, and connections, gaining insight on building brighter futures for children.
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Parents attended our Healing Hearts parent workshop
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Educators received training and professional development
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We completed our fourth year working with the Trenton School District and developed a video to highlight our partnership
This year, ChildWIN® provided parent education to more than 550 parents, primarily through our partnerships with the Trenton School District and community organizations such as New Destiny Family Success Center.
Parents learned about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma, and how these experiences affect the brain, body, and child development.
They also gained insight into how their own life experiences shape their parenting styles and practiced concrete strategies to support their children’s growth and well-being.
In addition, through our ongoing partnership with DSM-Firmenich, two $2,500 scholarships were awarded in memory of Sheila Maguire and Vasu Nacha, beloved ChildWIN® trainers who passed away.
The scholarship recipients demonstrated dedication and spirit reflecting the legacy of Sheila and Vasu who were passionate about serving families, children, and the community.
THANK YOU
To these agencies, funders and organizations for their support
ACNJ
Agape Community Services
American Council for
School Social Work
Atlantic County Youth
Services Commission
Attitudes in Reverse
Beacon Bridge Wealth Partners
Beyond Bedtime
Bloomberg
BookSmiles
Bridge of Books
CARES Institute
Center for Counseling Services
Center for Family Services
Central NJ Alumnae of Kappa
Delta
Chubb
DiLeo Family Foundation
Dr. Amy James & Associates
DSM-Firmenich
Education Association of Nutley
For the Love of Pete’s Pantry
George W. Bauer Family Foundation
Harold I. & Faye B. Liss Foundation
Health Care Foundation of the Oranges
Healthy Families America
Heartstrings
Holman
HSBC
James B. Boskey Memorial Foundation
Jersey College School of Nursing
JPMorganChase
JS Fitness & Wellness
Kiwanis Club of The Haddons
Lester & Grace Maslow Foundation
Lyons & Associates
Middlesex High School National
Honor Society
Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center
National Center for Shaken
Baby Syndrome
New Jersey Department
of Children & Families
New Jersey Department
of Human Services
New Jersey State Federation
of Women’s Clubs
Nisivoccia LLP
NJM Insurance Group
OceanFirst Foundation
Old Navy
Parents as Teachers
Pechter Foundation
Pellegrino Construction Services
Peter McManus Cafe
Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery for Southern NJ
Prevent Child Abuse America
Ravitz Family Markets
RiteAid Healthy Futures KidsCents
Riviera at Freehold
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Rutgers University GlobeMed
Sax LLP
Shay Capital
Shiloh Baptist Church
Smith Family Foundation
Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold
The Ocean is Female Foundation
Verizon
Virtua Health
Voorhees Rotary Dinner Club
Youth Consultation Service
THANK YOU
Individual Donors $500 and above
Brian Baldasare
Lori & Steven Bernknopf
Nicholas D. Borrelli
Jena & Jeff Calabrese
Joan & Robert Campbell
Karen & Dan Cassidy
Jeanne & Joseph Colford
Sue Flynn
Kelly & Lucien Foster
Brooke & Christopher L. Formica
David Girardot
Gian Paul Gonzalez
Alice Higgins
Leonore Johnston
Carol & Chet Kolton
Norby Krenik
Katie Kris
Brian Lermack
Marie & Harvey Lermack
Audrey & James Liebler
Tim Magoun
JennyLynn & Anthony Maiorano
Vishal Patel
Elizabeth & Steve Pellegrino
Quinton Robinson
Natalia & Craig Rothman
Joseph Schiavone
Pamela & Brian Stalcup
Susan Staloff
Michael Tatro
Eunice Tejeda Mateo
Susan & Leslie Tuerk
We thank all our partners throughout New Jersey who observed national Child Abuse Prevention Month by participating in Wear Blue Day and “planting” pinwheel gardens to demonstrate support for children’s well-being.
BOARD & EXECUTIVE STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Harvey Lermack, President
Christopher L. Formica, Vice President
Steven Bernknopf, Treasurer
Worlue Kokro, Secretary
EMERITUS
Nicholas D. Borrelli
HONORARY
Robert Campbell
MEMBERS
Julissa Alvarado
Rev. Dr. Darrell L. Armstrong
Jeff Calabrese
Barbara Cali
Patrick Chong, CPA
Joseph E. Colford, PhD
Lucien Foster
Altisha Glaster, MPA, MSW
Alycia M. Guichard, Esq
Vishal Patel
Quinton N. Robinson, Esq
Natalia Rothman, DC
Allison Scaduto, Esq
Maura Somers Dughi, Esq
Susan Staloff
Scott Stein
Aishwarya Subramanian
Michael Tatro
EXECUTIVE TEAM
CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gina Hernandez, MA, LPC, CCTP, ACS
VICE PRESIDENT
Veronica Ford, PhD, LPC, ACS, CCTP
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS
Pamela Stalcup
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
AND OPERATIONS
James Eodice, MBA, MHRA
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Meghan Scholl, CPA
DIRECTOR OF GROW NJ KIDS
Kim Haigh, MA
DIRECTOR OF HOME VISITING
AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Eva Szmutko, MPA
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
Carrie Speiser, MPA
DIRECTOR OF ESSEX PREGNANCY
& PARENTING CONNECTION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEMS
Jillian Faulks, MS
THE NEW JERSEY CHAPTER OF PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA
State Headquarters: 103 Church Street, Suite 210 • New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Telephone: 732-246-8060 • Fax: 732-246-1776
www.PreventChildAbuseNJ.org • www.ChildWIN.org