By Jennifer Keyes-Maloney
Governor Chris Christie filed several direct appointments with the Secretary of State’s Office August 26. The appointments included an addition to the School Employees’ Health Benefits Plan Design Committee and the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect.
School Employees’ Health Benefits Plan Design Committee (SEHBP)
Governor Christie appointed Richard J. Badolato to the SEHBP. Badolato, a partner at law firm Connell Foley in Roseland, New Jersey, will replace Ken Kobylowski on the Board., also assuming his role as the new Banking and Insurance Commissioner. Badolato is expected to begin his service on Aug. 1
Chapter 78, P.L. 2011, established two Committees to oversee the design of the future health plans: the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP). The Committees are responsible for determining the design of all plans offered by the SHBP and the SEHBP.
The School Employees’ Health Benefits Plan Design Committee is composed of six members: three members who shall be appointed by the Governor as representatives of public employers whose employees are enrolled in the program; two members who shall be appointed by the New Jersey Education Association; and one member who shall be appointed by the education section of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.
Current plans stay in effect until such time that the new Committees are formed, meet, and decide upon plan design changes.
New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect
In addition, the Governor also appointed a number of individuals to the The New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect (NJTFCAN). NJTFCAN is in but not of the Department of Children and Family (DCF).
The purpose of the NJTFCAN is to study and develop recommendations regarding the most effective means of improving the quality and scope of child protective and preventative services provided or supported by State government, including a review of the practices and policies utilized by the Child Protection and Permanency (formerly Youth and Family Services) and Family and Community Partnerships (formerly Prevention and Community Partnerships) in the Department of Children and Families.
The Task Force is comprised of volunteer members who are broadly representative of the community, including members who have expertise in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Its 30 members possess a variety of experience ranging from child protection and law enforcement to advocates for children and parents.
Appointments
- Reappoint Martin A. Finkel, Director of a Regional Diagnostic and Treatment Center for Child Abuse and Neglect
- Appoint Esther M. East, Faith-Based Organization Representative
- Reappoint Marygrace Billek, Director of a County Department of Human Services
- Appoint Richard A. Stagliano, Division of Child Protection and Permanency Service Provider Representative
- Appoint Mary Jane Awrachow, Foster and Adoptive Family Services Representative
Public Members:
- Appoint Anna Diaz-White
- Appoint Sara T. Munson
- Appoint the Honorable E. Marie Hayes
- Appoint the Honorable Frank J. Provenzano
- Reappoint Maura Somers Dughi
- Appoint Matthew T. Schwartz, Youth Under the Division of Child Protection and Permanency Care or Custody