Human Trafficking
SPAC has for many years been concerned about human trafficking in New Jersey as it is a portal state for traffickers. We held the first ever conference dedicated solely to the issue as it affects New Jersey at Kean University in May 2009. That conference produced a new piece of legislation co-sponsored by two of our speakers: Senator Tom Kean Jr. and Senator Sandra Cunningham. We are holding an event in November 2010, also at Kean University, to identify the next most needed piece of legislation to help end modern day slavery. Those interested in participating may use the contact us page, Junior League members should contact their SPAC Delegate.
NJ HUMAN TRAFFICKING 24-hr HOTLINE: 877-986-7534
- A toll-free number to report suspected cases of human trafficking
Childhood Obesity
SPAC was successful in its efforts to get signed into law AR71 designating March as Childhood Obesity Prevention Month in New Jersey. We highlighted this new legislation with a "Kids' Iron Chef" event in Plainfield in March 2010. The event was emceed by one of the bill's sponsors, Assemblywoman Connie Wagner. The Junior League has been tackling this issue for many years throughout the country through the "Kids in the Kitchen" program. Click on the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) link at the bottom of this page for more information.
Trying to reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity is a major focus for SPAC, and we work on any legislation that will increase our kids nutrition awareness and physical fitness levels.
SPAC became aware that in some parts of New Jersey, recess was no longer being offered to students. It took a supporting position on a bill to establish a Task Force to study the importance of recess for children, and to discover how widespread the problem is and the causes of it being removed.
Seven
out of 10 Americans disagree with schools’ policies of eliminating or reducing
recess time for budgetary, safety or academic reasons.
Children in Foster Care
Decades ago, SPAC was instrumental in getting the Child Placement Review Act 1978 passed. Since then former SPAC members and Junior League members have served thousands of hours on Child Placement Review Boards. These volunteer boards are so thorough and examine all sides of a child's case before recommending placement, that they have prevented kids falling through the cracks in the system and in many cases prevented abuse, even saved lives. We are working today to ensure our kids are still properly helped by these extraordinary boards of caring and dedicated volunteers.
SPAC continues to monitor the effects of the reform of the Division of Youth & Family Services (DYFS) on the quality of foster care, and is mounting a campaign to ensure the reforms are fully funded.
LETTER TO GOVERNOR CORZINE (download pdf file)
Umbilical Cord Blood
In 2005, NJ was the first to create a statewide, publicly funded umbilical cord blood bank. Cord blood stem cells treat several cancers, sickle cell anemia and immune disorders. 2007 legislation requires healthcare providers to inform pregnant patients about life-saving donations to the NJ Cord Blood Bank. SPAC is working to improve the implementation of this law. SPAC also supports efforts to improve the funding stream to this life-saving organization.
The New Jersey Cord Blood Bank (NJCBB) is the Public Cord Blood Bank for NJ – their website is: http://www.communitybloodservices.org/cb_njcbb.php
The bill that was passed in 2007 can be seen here: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/A0500/312_I1.PDF
Safe Environment for our Kids
SPAC's Environment Task Force is examining ways to ensure that our kids are not exposed to harmful pesticides as they play.
Domestic Violence
Combating violence against women has been a long-held position of SPAC. We support legislation that seeks to assist victims of domestic violence in escaping dangerous situations, and assist them in finding work and keeping their jobs as a means of gaining economic freedom, which often means real freedom from their abusers.
Ovarian Cancer
Over the years, SPAC has been supportive of a number of measures mandating that insurance companies pay for screening of cancers in women. In the case of ovarian cancer, SPAC realized that not only was it important to ensure symptomatic women get the screening that could save their lives, but that by educating women about the symptoms to look out for, it could lead to early detection and therefore better outcomes.