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When the Coronavirus Hits Home: Putting Child Care Plans in Writing Just in Case

April 20, 2020/in header, Latest News, News /by Jersey City Times Staff

‘A very small’ number of children in NJ have been removed from their homes when parents were incapacitated by COVID-19; state officials suggest parents complete a power of attorney form

This story was written and produced by NJ Spotlight. It is being republished under a special NJ News Commons content-sharing agreement related to COVID-19 coverage. To read more, visit njspotlight.com.

Full story link – HERE.

By Sheila Noonan

Many New Jersey parents are taking steps to protect themselves and their children from the coronavirus; staying at home, thorough handwashing and virtual playdates are the order of the day. The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) is suggesting one more: completing a power of attorney (POA) form that designates a temporary legal guardian in the event a parent or parents become ill or incapacitated.

A COVID-19 diagnosis is not a sole reason for DCF to become involved with families, “so we do not track it as a category,” said department spokesperson Nicole Brossoie. However, a “very small” number of children have been removed from their homes when parents were incapacitated by the disease.

When children are removed under DCF oversight, efforts are made to connect them with family or someone familiar. When that is not possible, foster care placement is arranged. “The potential for more, similar situations is why we are working to educate the public about the Power of Attorney forms and the importance of developing a family plan,” Brossoie said.

The POA can be completed by parents of children up to age 18 or those caring for adults with disabilities for any reason — but the coronavirus has amplified the importance of preparing for the unexpected. On the DCF’s POA, parents can select areas for which the temporary guardian (the “attorney in fact”) can make decisions for the child, such as education, health care or financial.

Fred J. Pisani, a partner in Ramp & Pisani, with offices in Tenafly and Princeton, practices family law and believes the state’s recommendations have merit. “The POA is tremendously valuable and a great idea any time, but especially now with uncertainty around the coronavirus,” said Pisani. “It puts parents’ intentions for a temporary guardian in writing and can be tailored, for example, for how long the guardianship should last.”

The DCF suggests parents discuss plans with the temporary guardian in advance and have important documents (birth certificate, health and school records, wills) in one place. The POA can be kept on file at home, shared with an attorney and/or presented to a medical professional, as needed. Brossoie said the POA is being translated into Spanish and Korean, and noted the agency has prepared other child and family resources.

While the DCF suggests the POA be notarized, it’s not a requirement. Notaries and licensed New Jersey attorneys, many available online, can notarize the document with an electronic signature.

 

Header: Image courtesy istockphoto.com

News Briefs

Jersey City will file an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Newark’s argument that a Police Civilian Complaint Review Board with proper powers should be allowed in NJ.

 

 

Hudson County Community College has been named the recipient of a one-year, $850,000 investment from the JPMorgan Chase. The investment will be utilized for a program the College developed to address the challenges of the economic crisis in Hudson County that were brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is designed to provide lasting improvement in the County’s workforce ecosystem.

Mayor Steven Fulop and the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation (JCEDC) have launched the latest round of emergency funding to provide over $2.5 million in direct aid and support to Jersey City’s neediest residents, regardless of immigration status. The city will partner with  York Street, Women Rising, United Way, and Puertorriqueños Asociados for Community Organization. 

Mayor Steven Fulop is joining forces with Uber to announce a new agreement that will expand residents’ access to COVID-19 vaccinations with free Uber rides to and from Jersey City vaccination sites. Phase 1B includes essential frontline workers and seniors 75 years old and over.

The federal Paycheck Protection Program, which offers businesses loans that can be forgivable, reopened on January 11th. The revised program focuses first on underserved borrowers – minority- and women-owned businesses.

Keep abreast of Jersey City Covid-19 statistics here.

Governor Murphy has launched a “Covid Transparency Website” where New Jerseyans can track state expenditures related to Covid.  Go here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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