NJ4S Hudson County

05/13/2026

New Jersey’s proposed FY27 budget currently removes funding for NJ4S, the statewide youth mental health support system serving students and schools across all 21 counties.

In this video, members of our NJ4S Hudson education team break down:
💠 What the proposed budget means
💠 Why continued NJ4S funding is critical for students and families
💠 The impact these services have in schools every day
💠 How YOU can help advocate for continued support

NJ4S provides prevention programming, mental health education, brief interventions, family support, and connections to care for youth across New Jersey. Losing this funding would create major gaps in support for students at a time when mental health needs remain high.

You can make a difference by contacting your legislators and voicing your support for NJ4S being restored in the FY27 budget.

🔗 Find advocacy tools and ways to take action on our website: https://pipnj.org/nj4s

05/07/2026

Dr. Irakli Kakauridze, Director of the Hudson County NJ4S Hub, shares why NJ4S is making a real difference for youth mental health across New Jersey and why these supports cannot disappear now.

The article highlights measurable improvements in youth mental health outcomes, the importance of prevention and early intervention, and the impact NJ4S is having in schools and communities statewide.

Our youth deserve continued access to support, connection, and care. Help us keep the conversation going by reading and sharing this important piece.

Read it here: https://loom.ly/2D15zoQ

NJ4S serves 620 schools and delivers measurable results, yet the state is considering dismantling the only comprehensive mental health infrastructure our students have.

05/06/2026

Creating opportunities for every student to be heard. 🎥

Hear from Maitry Sewnath as she talks about how NJ4S assemblies and workshops create engaging spaces where a diverse range of students feel comfortable participating. For many students, speaking up and engaging in larger group settings is a major step and one that teachers are incredibly proud to see.

These programs don’t just spark participation in the moment. They help open the door to deeper conversations in classrooms and throughout the school community long after the workshop ends.

This is the power of creating safe, supportive spaces for students to connect and grow.

Help us continue this work by supporting NJ4S and the critical services it provides to schools across New Jersey.
🔗 Find advocacy tools and ways to take action on our website: https://pipnj.org/nj4s

04/27/2026

Creating space for students to grow and speak openly. 🎥

Hear from Fauricio Zamudio as he shares the positive impact NJ4S has had on his students. Through these programs, students feel more comfortable opening up about difficult topics, building stronger communication skills and experiencing meaningful emotional growth.

What stands out most is their curiosity. Students actively participate, ask questions, and want to learn more. At a critical time in their lives, NJ4S helps young people better understand mental health, substance use, and how to make healthier choices for their future.

This is why these conversations matter.

🔗 Find advocacy tools and ways to take action on our website: https://pipnj.org/nj4s

04/22/2026

Support that reaches beyond the classroom.

Hear from Maitry Sewnath as she shares how NJ4S creates a strong sense of support for both students and staff. From engaging presentations to responsive, caring staff, NJ4S helps schools address challenges while building meaningful connections.

The impact doesn’t stop with students, NJ4S brings parents into the conversation, creating alignment and understanding so everyone is working together to support youth.

This is what a true school-community partnership looks like. Help us continue this work. Show your support for NJ4S and keep these critical services available across New Jersey.

🔗 Find advocacy tools and ways to take action on our website: https://pipnj.org/nj4s

04/17/2026

See the impact through the eyes of our school partners. 🎥

Hear from Batia Krinsky as she shares how impressed she is with the way students engage in NJ4S programs. Students continue bringing what they’ve learned back into the classroom and keep the conversations going.

Having a trusted outside partner like NJ4S strengthens both educators and students, making it easier to support meaningful conversations and real growth. This is what prevention looks like in action.

Help us continue this work. Show your support for NJ4S and keep these services available for students across New Jersey.

🔗 Find advocacy tools and ways to take action on our website: https://pipnj.org/nj4s

04/15/2026

During the COVID-19 pandemic, youth mental health challenges rose at alarming rates. In New Jersey we saw increases in both severe depression and suicidal ideation among young people.

In 2023, New Jersey implemented , expanding access to mental health support, prevention programming, and early intervention services in schools. Since then, the data is moving in the right direction. Both severe depression and suicidal ideation rates have decreased significantly.

This is what happens when we invest in youth. This is what happens when support is accessible, consistent, and trusted.

NJ4S is making a real, measurable difference in the lives of students across our state. Let’s not lose that progress.

📣 Show your support for NJ4S and help protect these services.
Find advocacy tools and ways to take action on our website: https://pipnj.org/nj4s

04/14/2026

Hear directly from those seeing the impact that NJ4S has in Hudson County every day.

Gina Mattera shares how NJ4S has made a meaningful difference in her school community. Through a strong partnership, NJ4S has helped provide effective prevention services, respond to challenges as they arise, and create a foundation that strengthens how educators connect with and support their students.

This is what real support looks like in our schools and why it matters.

Show your support for NJ4S and help protect these services for students across New Jersey.
🔗 Find advocacy tools and ways to take action on our website: https://pipnj.org/nj4s

04/10/2026

Across New Jersey, the New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) program is making a measurable difference in the lives of students, schools, and communities.

From expanding access to critical mental health supports to strengthening prevention efforts, NJ4S continues to grow its reach and impact statewide. In just one year, we’ve seen significant increases in the implementation of evidence-based and evidence-informed programming, ensuring that students are receiving services grounded in what works.

NJ4S has built strong partnerships with school districts across the state, responding to the needs of schools and providing timely, meaningful support to students. Behind every percentage is a real story: a student who felt supported, a school better equipped to respond, and a community strengthened through prevention and care.

These numbers reflect more than growth, they represent progress toward a future where every student has access to the support they need to thrive.

Now more than ever, it’s important to protect and continue this work. We encourage you to voice your support for NJ4S. Advocacy tools, resources, and ways to take action can be found on our website: https://pipnj.org/nj4s

We’re proud of the impact NJ4S is making and remain committed to continuing this important work across New Jersey.

02/25/2026

Elevate Black voices. Celebrate Black stories. ✨

02/18/2026

Today and every day, we celebrate Black excellence. ✨