Members of the Senator Wynona M. Lipman Child Advocacy Center (Wynona’s House) are calling on lawmakers to restore the $575,000 in critical state funding that has sustained its operations for 25 years. They are speaking out as New Jersey finalizes its budget for 2026.
Named after the late Senator Wynona M. Lipman, Wynona’s House serves as the legislatively mandated Child Advocacy Center (CAC) for Essex County. It 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.
It serves 950 child victim 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 multidisciplinary 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.
“This funding is not just a budget line — it’s a lifeline,” stated Robert Crocker, executive director and CEO of Wynona’s House. “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.
“This platform gives every New Jersey resident the power to help protect children,” said Nadine White, family advocate of the Family Financial Strengthening Initiative for Wynona’s House. “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.”
