#TeamDCF's DADS Council is made of men who are using their experiences to make a difference.What is DCF?
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state government agency dedicated to ensuring all NJ residents are safe, healthy, and connected.
What is the Office of Family Voice?
DCF Office of Family Voice (OFV) was created by DCF Commissioner Christine Beyer in December of 2018. OFV advances shared leadership and co-design with people who have lived experience to create and sustain systemic change.
DADS Council
The DADS Council consists of fathers that have first-hand lived experience with the NJ Department of Children and Families (DCF) child protection system. DADS work with DCF to transform policy and practice, lending lived experience through shared decision making, co-design, and on-going discussion with department leadership.
The DADS Council has two active committees: The Leaders and the Advocates. Each member will enroll into a four-year term. Newly enrolled DADS will become members of the Leaders Committee. After 2 years, Leaders can transition into the Advocates Committee.
To qualify applicants must:
1. Be over the age of 18
2. Be the birth parent, legal guardian, or a father figure during the family’s involvement with DCP&P
OR
Have children with prior or present involvement with NJ DCP&P. Applicants must have at least one of the children’s cases opened by DCP&P after an investigation or assessment in the last 5 years.
When and where will DADS meet?
Monthly meetings are held virtually from 12:00pm-1:30pm.
Leaders – 1st Thursday of each month
Advocates – 2nd Thursday of each month
Compensation
Fathers are compensated for their expertise and time when attending monthly meetings and speaking engagements.
For more information feel free to contact Kareem Lovelace at kareem.lovelace-crump@dcf.nj.gov
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