New Jeresey's Lost Generation

2005-01-29T15:09:00.000-08:00

Since 1981, New Jersey has ranked third in the nation in the number of children with HIV/AIDS. As of June 30, 2001 there are 609 children under five years of age in New Jersey with AIDS, 711 from 5 to 12 years of age, and 208 in the 13 to 19 year age group. When you move into the next statistical category (20-29), the recorded cases of AIDS jumps to 1,771. These numbers indicate that a significant increase in new infections occurs during adolescence and is often not detected until the early twenties. Along with children infected with HIV/AIDS, new jersey has a significant population of children and adolescents who have lost one or both parents to AIDS and also a large number of children living in households where the parent(s) are infected.

ESTIMATES OF CHILDREN AFFECTED BY AIDS IN THE UNITED STATES*
............... LOW MODERATE HIGH
New York 64,800 108,000 151,200

Florida 35,340 58,900 82,460

NEW JERSEY 20,580 34,300 48,020

California 15,990 26,650 37,310

Texas 8,640 14,400 20,160

Maryland 8,550 14,250 20,160

Pennsylvania 7,620 12,700 18,480

Illinois 7,140 11,900 16,660

Mass 6,101 10,203 14,550

D.C. 5,070 8,450 11,834

*estimates provided by Terrence P. Zealand Ed.D based on current HIV/AIDS prevalence reports CDC 2004. The AIDS Resource foundation for Children, 182 Roseville Ave. Newark N.J.

These statistics provide both a challenge and a road map for those at the national, state and local level charged with providing prevention, care and treatment services to children and adolescents infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in New Jersey.

Although we have made significant strides in reducing the number of newborns infected by the virus through aggressive intervention programs with pregnant women, there are children still being born HIV positive in the state. As a child growing up, knowing that you have AIDS is difficult. Combining this inescapable fact with the complications of medical care and the complexities of normal adolescent development, the emotional implications are immense.

The State of New Jersey has made some progress in providing some legislative and programatic supports for children infected and affected by the AIDS epidemic, more needs to be done. Stand-by Guardianship and Kinship Care legislation, both initiatives of the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children and the Governor's Advisory Council, have addressed some of the care-giving needs of children who are living in households with HIV/AIDS.

Twenty Years ago, My wife Faye and I opened the first home for children with AIDS in the United States in Elizabeth New Jersey. We now have three homes that provide transitional care and placement services to children with AIDS ands children who are medically fragile. We have cared for over 650 babies in our three homes and have saved the New Jersey Health Care system millions of dollars. Children left in hospitals beyond medical necessity not only cost the uncompensated care fund millions of dollars but more tragically suffer developmental delays. St. Clare Homes offer a home like setting and a platform for permanent placement in the community. Mothers many suffering from postpartum depression, poverty, homelessness and addiction are given support and a chance to receive mental health counseling and training in parenting skills. The best place for a child is with loving parents and this should be the goal of placing a child. Many times finding suitable housing and support allows a mother to care for her child. The ARFC has renovated 40 scattered site housing units in Newark, Irvington and East Orange to house families with AIDS. The foundation also provides subsidies to another 75 families through the HOPWA program.

Most recently we have renovated a 90 year old firehouse in downtown Newark to serve as a youth center for children orphaned and affected by AIDS. After a mother dies from AIDS her children tend to drop out of school, become pregnant, turn to drugs, are subject to gang violence, sexual exploitation, homeless, and substance abuse and are at risk for contracting or spreading AIDS. We know that many are ending up in the criminal justice system or with DYFS the victims of neglect and abuse. Currently there are no federal or state funds available to provide services for these children numbering in the thousands. The Academy Street Firehouse has been in operation for two years and the program needs support to continue. If there is anyone interested in helping to keep the only program in New Jersey that is addressing the unique needs of children orphaned or affected by AIDS please feel free to contact me at (973) 483-4250 ext.42. To learn more about the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children go to www.aidsresource.org.

From the desk of Dr. Zealand

New Jeresey's Lost Generation