Senator Wynona M. Lipman Child Advocacy Center (Wynona’s House) is calling on lawmakers to restore the $575,000 in critical state funding that has sustained its operations for 25 years.
The proposed elimination of this appropriation puts at risk the core services that protect over 950 child abuse victims and more than 1,200 family members each year across Essex County.
Named after the late Senator Wynona M. Lipman, Wynona’s House serves as the legislatively mandated Child Advocacy Center (CAC) for Essex County and stands as New Jersey’s only fully co-located location, bringing law enforcement, prosecutors, medical professionals, child protection workers, and mental health experts under one roof to deliver trauma-informed, child-centered care.
“This funding is not just a budget line—it’s a lifeline,” Robert Crocker, executive director and CEO of Wynona’s House said. “Without it, we jeopardize the safety, justice, and healing of hundreds of children each year. We urge our state lawmakers to stand with us and protect New Jersey’s most vulnerable population.”
As part of its urgent campaign, Wynona’s House has launched a new advocacy website to make it easy for the public to get involved. The site allows visitors to email legislators directly, learn more about the impact of Wynona’s House, and join the movement to #StandUpForNJChildren.
Take action today at StandUpForNJChildren.org.
“This platform gives every New Jersey resident the power to help protect children,” Nadine White, Family advocate of the Family Financial Strengthening Initiative for Wynona’s House said. “In just one to two minutes, you can raise your voice and urge lawmakers to restore the critical funding that ensures child victims are not forgotten.”
Wynona’s House serves 950 child victims cases and 1,200 siblings and family members annually across all 22 municipalities of Essex County. Funding helps Wynona’s House deliver trauma-informed, child-friendly care and coordination of a multi-disciplinary team supported by 20 hospital and 35 prosecutor’s office staff members. In addition, state funding supports seven child protection workers, 18 Wynona’s House employees, including family advocates, coordinators, prevention services, and security.
