Gov. Murphy Looks To Restore NJ School Health Program Amid COVID

NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy, facing a strong public outcry, said he's looking to restore a New Jersey school mental health program that was cut despite many children suffering from the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

Murphy said he's planning to meet with lawmakers to discuss restoring the School Based Youth Services Program, which has been operating as a grant-funded program in schools across the state since 1987.

The program is set to be eliminated in New Jersey's nine-month fiscal year 2021 budget by Oct. 1. Read more: NJ Cut Of Student Mental Health Program Amid COVID Sparks Outcry

Murphy said if the state can find some revenue source that would sustain the service and similar programs, "then I would love to see them conceptually back in the budget that we finally agree upon."

"But these are incredibly challenging times and we're doing everything we can to balance a whole range of interests," Murphy said.

Murphy said he and the state Legislature will negotiate a new budget over the next few weeks and, "God willing, assuming we can find the revenues, that's something that's a high priority." Read more: Gov. Murphy: More Taxes, Funds Needed In NJ Budget Amid COVID-19

Murphy made the statements to reporters this week as his office announced 306 new coronavirus cases and four more deaths on Sunday. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

The state Department of Children and Families confirmed to Patch that the Office of School Linked Services and several of its programs, including the School Based Youth Services Program, will cease to exist after Sept. 30.

The office had a budget of $15 million in fiscal year 2020, state officials said. That funding is being shifted to the department's Children's System of Care, but most of its programs and staff are being eliminated, a department spokeswoman confirmed.

Sen. Michael Testa, R-Cape May, called for restoring to the program, noting that many children need help coping with the stresses of lockdowns, uncertainty with school and the many other challenges that have resulted from COVID-19.

“That’s why it was so utterly shocking that Governor Murphy would propose slashing budget funding for critically important mental health support programs for kids exactly when they need extra help," he said. "Thankfully, the governor’s mistake is not something that should be difficult to fix.”

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