THE ORGANIZATION SERVES ALL 21 MUNICIPALITIES IN UNION COUNTY, ADVOCATING FOR THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE 21 REMOVED FROM HOME DUE TO ABUSE, NEGLECT OR ABANDONMENT AND PLACED IN FOSTER HOMES OR RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES. AFTER COMPLETION OF A RIGOROUS 30-HOUR CURRICULUM, ADVOCATES ARE SWORN IN BY A FAMILY JUDGE AND NAMED TO A CASE BY COURT ORDER. IN ADDITION TO REGULARLY SPENDING TIME WITH THE CHILD, VOLUNTEERS CONNECT WITH THERAPISTS, DOCTORS AND FOSTER PARENTS, IDENTIFYING THE CHILD UNMET MEDICAL, EMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ISSUES SO AS TO ENSURE THE CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS ARE PROTECTED.DURING THIS YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION SERVED 318 CHILDREN AND UTILIZED THE SERVICE OF 156 VOLUNTEERS WHO DONATED 17,813 HOURS OF TIME TO FULFILL THE MISSION. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION IMPLEMENTED THE PEER COORDINATOR MODEL, UTILIZING SEASONED ADVOCATES TO OVERSEE AND SUPPORT THEIR OWN TEAM OF VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES. PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES PRESENTED HERE DO NOT INCLUDE $513,371 DONATED IN VOLUNTEER SERVICES, AN ESTIMATE BASED ON NJS VOLUNTEER HOURLY VALUE DETERMINED BY THE INDEPENDENT SECTOR, WHICH CALCULATES AT $28.82.