County of Middlesex
1 JFK Square - 5th floor
New Brunswick, NJ 08901 |
Phone: 732-745-4519
Fax: 732-745-3282 |
Meet the Staff:
| Bridget Stillwell
Kennedy |
Division Director |
732-745-4228 |
| Pamela Ponder
|
Administrative
Asst. |
732-745-4519 |
| Harriet Slonim |
Planner |
732-745-4041 |
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| Office for
the Disabled: |
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| Judy Cusumano |
Director |
732-745-4013 |
| Debbie Hehir
|
PASP Coordinator
|
732-745-2587 |
| Joan Miller
|
Administrative
Asst. |
732-745-4086 |
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| Veteran's
Services |
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Doug Breen |
Veterans' Services
Coordinator |
732-745-4051 |
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About
the Division:
The Middlesex County Department of Human Services, Division of Social
Work Services, funded by the State and County, serves as the County's
comprehensive human services planning entity. Particularly with regard
to the allocation of public funds, this division is mandated to assess
community needs, other available resources, and readily achievable outcomes.
The Office of Veterans
Services is a component program of the Division of Social Work Services.
The Veterans Services
Coordinator provides assistance, information and referrals regarding
their eligibility for services and service related benefits to military
veterans and their family.
The Veterans Services
Office maintains close liaison with the various veterans' organizations
within the county and provides support for veteran events through the
Middlesex County Veterans Advisory Council under the auspices of the
Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
In addition, the
Veterans Services Office works closely with other veterans' agencies
as well as other human service agencies. The office is the County's
primary contact for veterans' issues.
VETERAN'S MENTAL HEALTH HELPLINE
A mental health
helpline has been established by the NJ Division of Mental Health Services
for returning veterans. The new toll-free number provides immediate
assistance to veterans suffering from emotional or psychological distress,
as well as those having difficulty re-assimilating into civilian life
after their mobilization for active duty service ends.
You may reach the
helpline 24 hours, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-866 VETS-NJ4U (1-866-838-7654).
The helpline, coordinated
by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ/University Behavioral
HealthCare, features peer counseling, clinical assessment, and assistance
to family members. The helpline provides New Jersey veterans and their
families access to a comprehensive Mental Health Provider Network of
mental health professionals specializing in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) and other veterans' issues. All services are free and confidential.
For more
information:
CONTACT:
Doug Breen - Veterans Services Coordinator
DAYS AND HOURS: Monday and Tuesday - 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Wednesday - 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. PHONE: 732-745-4051 or 1-800-591-9867
AREA SERVED: Entire Middlesex County
Other Related
Links:
The Personal Assistance
Services Program (PASP) provides personal assistance services to adults
with physical disabilities, ages 18 to 65, to enable them to work, to
attend school or vocational training, and live independently in the
community. Participants in the program should be self-directed and may
be assessed a cost-share based on their annual income. The Program also
has a consumer driven advisory council that provides support and assistance
to PASP. This council meets quarterly in New Brunswick at the Department
of Human Services. For more information on PASP, please call 732-745-2587.
The Office for the
Disabled provides information, referral and advocacy on behalf of disabled
residents of Middlesex County. This office also provides staff support
to the Middlesex County Commission for the Disabled, a consumer networking
and advocacy group, which meets the second Tuesday of each month at
7 p.m. The Commission is currently seeking members who are willing to
advocate for our disabled county residents. Please call 732-745-4013
if you are interested in volunteering for this initiative.
The Office for the
Disabled ensures compliance on Middlesex County property with the provisions
of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Activities include conducting
sensitivity training, providing technical assistance, and developing
press releases and other communications concerning ADA for public awareness.
The Office also
offers a Barrier Free Assistance Program to eligible County residents
to make their home accessible. The modifications can include everything
from bed and bath rails to wheelchair ramps. This program is offered
in conjunction with the Middlesex County Multi Assistance Program (MCMAP),
which is under the purview of the Department on Aging.
Project Lifesaver, a
joint program of the Division of Social Work Services, the Middlesex
County Office on Aging, and the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office,
offers tracking bracelets for young and elderly residents prone to
wandering, usually autistic children or Alzheimer’s Patients. It is a
nation-wide program that employs radio technology to help locate missing
persons. Participants wear the bracelets, equipped with transmitters,
which can aid specially trained Sheriff’s Officers in locating them
after they are reported missing.
Links
to Detailed Project Lifesaver Information:
English Version
Spanish Version
The Division of
Social Work Services is responsible for over 30 County support grants.
This responsibility includes the development and distribution of Support
Grant Applications, proposal review, fund allocations, appeals processes,
contract writing, presentation to the County Board of Chosen Freeholders,
quarterly reporting, vouchering and monitoring.
In addition to the
advisory councils noted above, division staff oversees the Human Services
Advisory Council and the Veterans' Advisory Council, and their many
sub-committees. Established by New Jersey Department of Human Services
regulation and appointed by the County Board of Chosen Freeholders,
the Middlesex County Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC) works closely
with both the State and County, making recommendations for allocation
of funds, monitoring, and maintaining a large advocacy role on behalf
of the needs and concerns of County residents. This group's monthly
meetings are open to the public; a schedule may be obtained by contacting
the office at 732-745-4519.
The HSAC has several
required standing committees. The Comprehensive Emergency Assistance
System (CEAS) Committee is the primary vehicle for planning and coordinating
the delivery of emergency services to the homeless. Its membership comprises
mainly homeless service providers, advocates for the homeless, and low
income families and individuals. Another required committee is the Work
First NJ Committee, which supports the implementation of Work First
NJ (the State's welfare to work program) including working cooperatively
with the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and community based organizations.
Other committees address funding allocations, planning and membership.
The division also
oversees the Middlesex County Veterans Advisory Council (MCVAC). This
citizen group is charged with identifying and addressing the concerns
of Middlesex County's veteran population.
For more information
about programs, or to apply for membership on any of the advisory councils
or commissions administered by the Division of Social Work Services,
please call 732-745-4519, or e-mail pam.ponder@co.middlesex.nj.us.
You may also download a copy of the application for membership by going
to our home page and clicking on the button marked Application for
Board Membership.
PASP RFP Process:
Home care, home health and transportation vendors interested in working
with the PASP Program should contact Debbie Hehir at 732-745-2587 to
inquire about the annual RFP Process.
Emergency
Preparation: Persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers
should be planning for emergencies; everything from tropical and winter
storms to a terrorist attack. The following Web sites provide useful
information on how to prepare for an emergency and what to do should
an event occur:
• National Organization on Disability: www.nod.org
• New Jersey Red Cross: www.njredcross.org
• Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.org
For additional information, please contact the Office for the Disabled
at 732-745-4013.
Disability LInks: The Office for the Disabled is happy to
assist persons with disabilities navigate the maze of services and programs
available to consumers.
The following websites also contain very useful information on a variety
of disability related issues:
Handicapped
Parking:
Fines
for parking illegally in a Handicapped Space were increased on October
1, 2003 from $100 to $250. In addition, the "Snow Removal Law,"
NJ Public Law c:39:4-207.9 prohibits any obstruction in public
handicapped parking spaces. With respect to snow and ice, they must
be removed from the spaces within 48 hours of when the inclement
weather ceases. Please contact the Office for the Disabled for further
information: 732-745-4013.
To obtain a Handicapped
Parking Plate or Placard, you must complete an application and have
it signed by your physician. To qualify you must: be permanently disabled
and have your mobility limited as certified by your doctor. To obtain
an application, contact the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission at 609-292-6500
or the Office for the Disabled at 732-745-4013.
Sign Language
Interpreters: Qualified sign language interpreters should be provided
upon request by persons with disabilities at all government sponsored
public meetings, events and activities. In addition, physicians, medical
facilities, government offices, legal offices and public schools should
provide interpreters upon request. To obtain information on qualified
sign language interpreters, fees, contacts, etc, please call the NJ
Division of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing at 1-800-792-8339 or visit
them on the Web at: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/ddhh
If you need a
sign language interpreter, please contact the sponsoring agency or program
and let them know.
Statistics:
The 2000 Census reports that there are approximately 112,382
persons with disabilities living in Middlesex County. This represents
approximately 15% of the total population. These numbers do not
include children under the age of 5 years with a disability. In a December
1997 U.S. Census Publication, it was reported that nationwide approximately
1 in 5 Americans have some kind of disability and 1 in 10 have a severe
disability.
As you would
expect, the likelihood of disability increases with age and our growing
aging population in Middlesex County and across the States, will no
doubt continue to accelerate the growth of people with disabilities.
In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that half of senior citizens
age 65 and over have a disability. In Middlesex County, Census 2000
indicated that percentage was 38%.
Links for
Research & Statistics:
• Census: www.census.gov
• Disability Research Institute: www.dri.uiuc.edu
• Disability Statistics Center: http://dsc.ucsf.edu
• Middlesex County Planning Board: http://co.middlesex.nj.us/planningboard/
| For information,
photos and audios of the recent Housing First Kick Off: COMING
HOME, Ending Homelessness in Middlesex County, and how to
become more involved with Middlesex County's 10 Year Plan to End
Homelessness, click on the following link http://snipurl.com/middlesex.
"TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT WORK!" |
