{"id":31837,"date":"2020-12-09T20:27:19","date_gmt":"2020-12-09T20:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/caseyfamilyv2.wpengine.com\/nj-voluntary-services\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T20:56:21","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T20:56:21","slug":"nj-voluntary-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casey.org\/es\/nj-voluntary-services\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00bfC\u00f3mo ofrece Nueva Jersey servicios voluntarios?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Overview<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

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When an allegation of maltreatment has been substantiated, caseworkers with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF), Division of Child Protection and Permanency, carefully examine the strengths and protective capacity of the family to explore if placement in out-of-home care is necessary or if the child can safely remain in the home. While DCF can ultimately decide whether to open the case on a voluntary basis or involve the court, the willingness of the family to participate in services is a sizeable factor in these decisions. In New Jersey, voluntary services are focused on connecting families with services and resources that fit their specific needs. The goal is for a family to build enough formal and informal supports, as well as access the resources needed, to keep the child safe without further agency involvement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Initiation of voluntary services<\/h2>\n \n \n \n

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In New Jersey, voluntary services can be initiated after an investigation has been conducted. An investigation consists of in-person contact with the family and the child(ren) and completion of the following: a Safety Assessment to assess child safety in the home, a Family Risk Assessment to assess risk, and any other Structured Decision-Making (SDM) tools that may be appropriate.1<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

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During the investigation process, the intake worker offers the family a Family Team Meeting and, if accepted, will prepare families for participation. The intake worker also is responsible for assessing the family\u2019s existing and needed supports, such as close friends and family, in an effort to examine the strengths of the family to help prevent placement. Upon completion of assessments and exploratory conversations, the intake worker will discuss linkages to services and any other activities or resources<\/span> that the family believes would best support the changes it desires.<\/p>\n

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According to DCF,2<\/sup><\/a> there is no specific type of case that is more or less likely to be handled voluntarily. In opening a voluntary case, staff examine the protective ability of the family, needs, issues, and any history of previous open cases. Opening a case on a voluntary basis also depends how receptive the family is to receiving services; if the family is willing to participate in services, the agency is more likely to open the case on a voluntary basis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once the case is substantiated, the intake worker, the supervisor, and the supervisor\u2019s supervisor conference the case and decide as a team whether it is appropriate for voluntary services. Following a decision to open a case for voluntary services, it is transferred from intake to the agency\u2019s permanency unit via transfer conference, in which intake and permanency caseworkers and supervisors participate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Worker Minimum Visitation Requirements for In-Home Service Cases<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n