Ocean Partnership for Children Pet and Family Photos with Santa!

TOMS RIVER, N.J. - Nov. 19, 2024 - PRLog -- 1, 107. That's how many youth are receiving care management services from Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC) today.  The number fluctuates daily, but the crises remain the same.  Since 2005, OPC has been the designated Care Management Organization for Ocean County and has worked with nearly 9,000 individual youth over the past 20 years. Care Managers carry caseloads between 14-22 youth, aged up to 21, depending on census. The crises that are being managed range from suicide risk and attempts, substance use, human trafficking, bullying, school refusal, intellectual and developmental disabilities to legal involvement and youth incarceration, trauma that spans cultures and socioeconomic status, fire setting, and crippling depression.

Commitment. Passion. Endurance. Those are the words used to describe OPC's staff, and more specifically, its Care Managers. Care Managers maintain constant contact with youth and families, meets with them in the community, creates and coordinates Child Family Teams, meeting consistently to implement individualized service plans.  The goal is to stabilize the youth's crisis, helped them to recognize and use their own strengths, and link the team to sustainable, community-based supports.  Care Managers often say they are aiming to "work themselves out of a job" by helping families "become their own Care Managers."

OPC does not have a waitlist; if a child is in crisis, they are receiving the support and service from OPC.  In addition to providing Care Management services and assisting with basic needs for families during difficult times, OPC also runs a series of youth support groups throughout the year. The groups are open to all Ocean County youth, and they do not need to be enrolled with OPC receiving care management services to join the groups.

OPC is hosting a fun and pet friendly fundraiser December 7^th from 10am-12pm at their office in Downtown Toms River to help support their mission – Pet and Family Photos with Santa!   Come out to support the great work of OPC, learn about their mission and other resources in the area, and peruse the vendor market! There will be refreshments, hot cocoa, and door prizes for everyone in attendance.    Extra bonus – Downtown Toms River is hosting their Winter Wonderland starting at 11am, so come on down to donate at the Santa Photos with your furry friend and continue your way supporting all the local businesses!

To register and donate now for the event, visit: https://app.etapestry.com/.../Ocea.../2024HolidayPhotos.html (https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/OceanPartnershipfor...)

The mission of Ocean Partnership for Children is to enhance the well being of youth and their families through natural and community supports.