Assembly Democrat Celeste Riley has introduced legislation to officially expand and fund a support network for mothers and families of children with special needs.

Special Needs Children
Flickr User Honza Soukup
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The bill would officially establish the "Mom2Mom Peer Support Program" helpline, which was launched in the fall of 2010 by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Since its inception, over 29,000 contacts have been made.

"It's no wonder that this program has been well-received in its short inception," Riley said. "This bill will ensure that it continues to operate and expand to meet the needs of parents throughout New Jersey who face these unique challenges."

Riley's bill would provide for the training of staff, as well as the establishment of a list of credentialed resources and behavioral health care providers for folks who call in. The bill would also require an annual appropriation to fund the helpline.

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