Bill > S2299

Introduced Session

This bill increases the FY2024 appropriation from the General Fund to the Department of Children and Families for the Center for Great Expectations by $1.5 million, from $500,000 to $2.0 million. The Center for Great Expectations is located in Somerset and provides safe housing and supportive services to over 1,000 women, men, and children annually, from both within and outside Somerset. Many of these individuals are homeless or economically marginalized, pregnant or parenting, or living with mental health or substance use disorders. Importantly, the organization administers the State's only residential program for adolescents with mental health disorders, who are pregnant or parenting. The additional State funds will be used to support the Center's adolescent residential program, the adult residential program for pregnant and at-risk women, and the outpatient substance abuse and mental health programs. All of these programs face a funding shortfall in the current fiscal year, which will be completely mitigated with the help of this additional State funding.

Committee Categories

Bob Smith (D)*,  Andrew Zwicker (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/25/2024)

Official Document