Nutley Family Service Bureau, Inc.

About Us

It was 1913. Two eight year old girls were routinely falling asleep in their classroom at Washington School in Nutley, NJ. Their very worried teacher, together with some ladies in town, decided to investigate the children’s family and home situation. It was discovered that the girls were dancing nude at night in a tavern on River Road. Because of these concerned citizens, the children were removed from their parents’ home and placed in a foster home in Nutley, NJ.

The Chief of Police requested that these ladies continue their work for the families in town, and thus the Nutley Social Service Agency was born.

The agency is now known as the Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB).

Through its 95+ year history, the services provided by the NFSB have changed to meet the needs of the community. From 1913 through two world wars, concerns were foster care, food and other supports for families. As government agencies and programs began to meet those needs, the NFSB evolved into a professionally-staffed counseling agency for families and individuals. But its fundamental mission has remained the same – to provide strength to families under stress.

All of NFSB’s professional staff have a master’s degree in a human service field and are available for individual, family or group counseling. In addition, the staff is involved in a broad array of community outreach programs ranging from coping with adolescents and dealing with aging parents to helping individuals survive job loss. Staff members are trained to assess drug and alcohol abuse and find appropriate treatment. NFSB is under contract to the Township of Nutley to provide various services.

Each year, hundreds of clients are served. Some clients come in on their own, while others are referred through clergy, police and employee assistance programs. Fees are charged on a sliding scale based on income, but no one is refused service because of inability to pay.

The NFSB is run by a board of trustees, composed of 24 Nutley residents who volunteer their time to set policy and raise the necessary funds to ensure the continued existence of the agency. While some funding is derived from the United Way, major funding comes from client fees, corporate and municipal contracts, and through the generous donations of hundreds of individuals. Through the tireless efforts of the NFSB trustees, the Women’s Auxiliary, and other volunteers, we raise funds by holding events such as the annual charity ball, and through the operation of The Thrift Shop, and important on going source of funds for the NFSB.