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Speaking at the dedication ceremony for Lipman Hall, New Jersey Governor Donald DiFrancesco welcomed the new adolescent treatment facility, stating that it will give youngsters "intensive treatment and care, right here in New Jersey." The Wynona M. Lipman Education and Training Center, known as Lipman Hall, is a state-of-the-art residential treatment center and on-site school for children, located on an urban campus in Newark, New Jersey. The facility is named after the late Senator Wynona Lipman, who championed causes for children, women and African-Americans. The facility will serve up to 216 adolescent males with serious emotional and behavioral problems, including fire-setters and sexually aggressive youth. Lipman Hall will admit males ranging in age from 12 to 18 years, but will continue to serve youth through age 21. The facility will admit both adjudicated and non-adjudicated youth, whether classified or not, who are referred through state and local child welfare, mental health or juvenile justice systems. The Lipman complex features a residential building with six units, including a diagnostic unit; a special services school; dining hall and kitchen; counseling rooms; gymnasium and fitness center; infirmary/clinic; administrative and clinical offices and two outdoor recreation areas. Residents will participate in a wide range of activities: counseling sessions, workshops, lectures, life skills training, substance abuse education, cultural and recreational activities and a family therapy program that encourages parental visitation and family participation. "A new CEC juvenile facility in New Jersey will provide crucial treatment services to children at a time when they really need help and guidance. Right now, New Jersey’s Division of Youth and Family Services is forced to send a lot of kids out of state – up until now, we simply didn’t have the room to help them here. This facility will relieve overcrowding in detention centers and will save New Jersey millions of taxpayer's dollars," said John J. Clancy, President and CEO of CEC. For more information on Lipman Hall, contact Melinda Posey-Jones, Facility Director at (973) 642-4249. |