Cape May County Youth Services Commission approves member appointment, accepts 2025 monitoring and reviews detention data

The Cape May County Youth Services Commission met March 11, 2026, in person and carried several procedural motions while reviewing program monitoring results and juvenile justice data. Chair Chris DeSantis called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. and verified a quorum.

The commission approved the January 14, 2026 meeting minutes after a correction to point 5. Patricia Devaney, CMC Human Services, moved to accept the minutes and Temerity Berry, Cape Assist, seconded; Steve Schuck recorded an abstention. The commission also voted to make Brian Buckberg a full voting member to fill a vacancy, with Peter Belasco, CMC Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Director, calling for the vote and Steve Schuck seconding; the motion passed.

Mary Farrell, CMC Human Services, presented 2025 monitoring for the Botvin Life Skills program and the Family Navigator program, reporting that Cape Assist "scored over 90%" and that all 2025 monitoring has been completed. Peter Belasco moved to accept the monitoring report; Brian Buckberg seconded. Temerity Berry and Joe Faldetta abstained and the motion carried.

Danita Pierce, representing the Youth Justice Commission (YJC), said a support group for youth in detention is being created and flyers were emailed March 12, 2026. "There is currently no one in detention from Cape May County," Pierce said, and she provided statewide counts: 98 youth in secure care, 62 waived, 42 in residential probation and 62 committed. Comparing 2025 to 2024, Pierce said commitments decreased by 10.5%, waived commitments increased by 30.0%, probationer residential placements rose by 16.2%, and probationer referrals rose by 8.8%, with a combined total increase of 1.6%.

Chris DeSantis updated the commission on the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), saying the award letter is pending though all required information has been submitted to the state. DeSantis said a dedicated judge for a set period would provide consistency. Patricia Devaney added that "the cost for a bed is $1,000," and noted there are no local alternatives despite the county rarely having youth in detention.

Program leads gave brief operational updates. Steve Schuck said two youth are currently in the Intensive Supervision Program; one youth briefly left the program due to charges in Philadelphia and returned wearing an electronic bracelet. Mary Rybicki identified a problem on the Station House Adjustment form and said a checkbox will be added to indicate whether a youth is currently on probation; staff will meet to review the program and identify stumbling blocks. Joe Faldetta reported the Strengthening Families program currently serves 10 families (20 children) and will conclude March 24. Temerity Berry said Family Navigator is a volunteer-based effort with three families contacted to date and challenged by low engagement in courthouse hallways; Chair DeSantis offered a private room to improve outreach.

During public response, Peter Belasco cited a New Jersey Globe report that Governor Mikie Sherrill proposed a Fiscal Year 2027 budget that would sunset NJ4S and replace it with SPARK (School-based Partnerships and Resilience for Kids), a $33 million K-12 initiative to expand in-school counseling and intervention services.

The commission recorded no specific old or new business updates and adjourned at 3:57 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2026.