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The Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) is New Jersey's child protection and child welfare agency within the Department of Children and Families. Its mission is to ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of children and to support families.

DYFS is responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect and, if necessary, arranging for the child's protection and the family's treatment.

The Child Abuse Hotline (State Central Registry) receives all reports of child abuse and neglect 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.  Reports requiring a field response are forwarded to the DYFS Local Office who investigates.  Find contact information for DYFS Local Offices HERE.

After normal business hours, the hotline is linked with a statewide network of Special Response Units charged with the responsibility of responding to reports. For more information about reporting child abuse click HERE.

Each year, DYFS contracts with many community-based agencies throughout the state to provide services to children and families. Such services include counseling, parenting skills classes, substance abuse treatment, in-home services, foster care and residential placement.

If a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm, DYFS may ask the county family court to place the child in foster care. Foster homes are provided by caring individuals who have completed an extensive licensing program. Learn more about becoming a foster parent HERE.

If the family court determines a child cannot be safely returned home from foster care, DYFS will begin adoption planning. Learn more about adopting a child HERE.