New Jersey § 30:4c-1

§ 30:4c-1.

This act 1 is to be administered strictly in accordance with the general principles laid down

in this section, which are declared to be the public policy of this State, whereby

the safety of children shall be of paramount concern and the best interests of children shall be a primary consideration : (a) That the preservation and strengthening of family life is a matter of public concern

as being in the interests of the general welfare, but the health and safety of the

child shall be the State's paramount concern when making a decision on whether or

not it is in the child's best interest to preserve the family unit; (b) That the prevention and correction of dependency and delinquency among children

should be accomplished so far as practicable through welfare services which will seek

to continue the living of the children in their own homes; (c) That necessary welfare services to children should be strengthened and extended

through the development of private and voluntary agencies qualified to provide the services; (d) That wherever in this State necessary welfare services are not available to children

who are dependent or adjudged delinquent by proper judicial tribunal, or in danger

of so becoming, then the services should be provided by this State until such times as they are made available

by private and voluntary agencies; (e) That the State may assist private, public , and voluntary agencies to construct, purchase, upgrade , or renovate youth facilities for the residential care or day treatment of children

in need of these services; and (f) That each child placed outside his home by the State has the need for permanency:

through return to the child's own home, if the child can be returned home without

endangering the child's health or safety; through adoption, if family reunification

is not possible; or through an alternative permanent placement, if termination of

parental rights is not appropriate. 1

N.J.S.A. §§ 30:4C-1 to 30:4C-40.