HUMAN SERVICES NEWSLETTER  6/24/21

UPCOMING TRAININGS, CLASSES AND SEMINARS

Still Standing is a group for single mothers who meet monthly to encourage and support one another towards positive growth and change. The benefits of the program are: A personal coach to provide support, resources and addressing concerns Gain knowledge regarding personal finances including budgeting and credit worthiness A matching savings account to be used for homeownership, educational pursuits, etc. ZOOM monthly meetings with Still Standing Coaches and participants that provide guidance, life experiences and community support to overcome challenges that may hold us back Virtual monthly events for your school-aged child(ren) to participate in age-appropriate fun activities while learning, socializing and meeting new children knowns as “Kids Zone”. Incentives are also provided. For more information and an application, please call Cynthia Mendez. at (609) 396-9355, ext. 14 or e-mail cynthiam@arminarm.org

The Rutgers Children’s Center for Resilience and Trauma Recovery is hosting Youth Mental Health First Aid online! Please join us on July 13, 2021. This Training will be hosted via Zoom and there is a 2-hour self-study course that must be completed prior to the training date. For more info, email Dr. Massie Lambert

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

June is PRIDE Month! AFSP New Jersey is dedicated to preventing suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.  As a public health organization, we believe that it is our individual and collective responsibility to support the mental health and well being of LGBTQ people. Click HERE for resources!

Important information for FHA borrowers: If you have an FHA-insured mortgage and have not made a mortgage payment for more than 60 days as of April 30, 2021, you may have received a letter from HUD dated June 14, 2021. This letter advises you of the options you can take to help save your home from foreclosure. Please read the letter thoroughly and contact your mortgage servicer immediately. If you need help working with your mortgage servicer, please contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency in your area. They can help you work with your mortgage servicer and understand the forbearance option that are available. If you did not receive a letter, but want to learn more about FHA forbearance option, please contact your mortgage servicer or a HUD approved housing counseling agency today for assistance.

Learn more at: https://www.hud.gov/coronavirus/resources_for_homeowners.

Today marks the official launch of the statewide Actions 4 ACEs campaign. 

Actions 4 ACEs will raise public awareness about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the simple - yet powerful - actions that adults can take to make a positive impact in children’s lives.  

ACEs are at the root of some of the most harmful and expensive societal and health challenges we face in our communities. Actions 4 ACEs is geared towards educators and law enforcement professionals, but the message is universal: one caring competent adult can make the difference in the life of a child that has experienced trauma.    

We need your help to amplify the messages of Actions 4 ACEs: 

• Visit  Actions4ACEs.com to find educational materials and a curated list of resources to help mobilize the community for understanding and action 
• Use the campaign social media toolkit to spread the word on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram 
• Share educational materials and resources with your colleagues and communities 
• Follow the campaign on social media using the hashtag #Actions4ACEs 

Actions 4 ACEs will continue throughout the summer and beyond. We all have a role to play in this effort, and your voice is essential. Together we can make a difference for children, families, and communities in New Jersey.  

NEWSLETTERS, SURVEYS & PRESS RELEASES

The Mercer County Office on Aging/Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) will complete its annual survey to determine the needs of the aging community in two ways: by hosting a virtual public hearing and by using responses of its 20 Questions survey. Mercer County residents, older adults, and caregivers are welcome to attend the virtual public hearing on June 30 at 10 a.m. by joining it here and respond to the 20 Questions survey by July 1 here. Thank you for your interest and assistance in this effort!

There has been an update on the New Jersey Gambling Court Initiative - read more here.

LOCAL EVENTS

Please provide information about your services and supports to our students and families. Additionally, bring promotional information/free products as well as book bags and/or school supplies to distribute to the children (*selling any item/product is strictly prohibited). Community partners will have to bring their own table, chairs, water, tents, banners, and whatever you need to highlight your organization. Also, please mark down if your organization would like to donate school supplies and/or giveaway baskets for this event. Volunteers can sign up here to assist prior to the event to pack and assemble filled book bags and/or join us the day of the event.  

Volunteers, we invite you to assist at our Back-to-School Extravaganza!   We are gathering school supplies and other material to give away to our students to be well prepared for the 2021-2022 school year!  There are a variety of ways volunteers can help with this event. Complete this form so we have an idea of how to best assign you to assist. 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN MERCER COUNTY, NJ

United Way of Greater Mercer County has several positions open, including a Financial Empowerment Community Impact Coordinator and a Community Benefits (Bilingual) Re-Entry Specialist. For more information on available jobs with this agency, visit their careers website.

The Lawrenceville Job-Training Partnership (LJTP) Job Description – Lead Trainer (Part-Time, Independent Contractor Position)

WorkWell is a job-training program for returning citizens that takes place at the First Presbyterian Church of Trenton. The program cycles run daily for five weeks, using an effective job-training curriculum for the formerly incarcerated that was developed by Uplift Solutions, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit.

In addition to job and life skills instruction, trainees receive transportation passes, meals, and stipends. Case management and wraparound services are provided by the United Way of Greater Mercer County, addressing issues such as federal benefits, medical insurance, housing and connecting our participants with other community resources.

WorkWell helps the formerly incarcerated find meaningful employment and stable lives in fulfillment of its vision: Removing walls, building community: working together to equip returning citizens with job skills, dignity and hope.

The role of the Lead Trainer is to present well-prepared, organized, and clear content that follows the WorkWell curriculum to participants. The Lead Educator should train and inspire participants by facilitating the content on a range of topics including job search strategies, life skills and employability skills.

Fore more information and/or to apply, contact Jeannette Rizk, Executive Director at jrizk@ljtp.org 

Job Opening: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County - Full-Time Entry-Level Bilingual Case Manager (Trenton New Jersey)

Compensation: Salaried $35 - $40k

Non-profit Organization

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County is looking to hire a Full-Time Entry-Level Bilingual (Spanish) Case Manager. We are seeking a Case Manger to support the Community Based Program. Responsibilities include training & interviewing of new parents, children, and volunteers, scheduling match meetings, overseeing a caseload of matches between adult volunteers and children, and attending recruitment events as needed. A bachelor's degree is required and the ability to pass a background check. Position requires some evening hours.

We offer a full benefits package, flexible working hours & a great team to work with!

If interested, please send your cover letter and resume to Tara Belford, Director of Community Based Programs at tbelford@mercerbbbs.org

You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to receive Dept. of Human Services Newsletters. Reminder that if you want to view the current list of Request For Proposals and Bid Opportunities for Mercer County, click here!

To view the current list of available jobs with Mercer County, as well as various other career resources, please visit the Job Opportunities tab on the Mercer County Website. 

Children's Future is offering a Baby Shower for Pregnant and Newly Parenting Moms (via ZOOM) on Friday, June 25, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.  The first 50 people to log in will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize! For more information please contact Tamika Hall at (609) 695-1977 ext 113 or email thall@childrensfutures.org

The Mercer County Department of Human Services fosters a comprehensive human service delivery system that enhances the health, safety, and quality of life for all residents of Mercer County. The department's goal is to create an environment of public trust by empowering and strengthening individuals and families, advocating for sound policy, mobilizing resources, and acting as champions for those citizens who are most vulnerable and in need of services.

Through its offices and divisions, the Department of Human Services provides funding to community-based organizations for those organizations to provide direct services to Mercer County residents. The department does not provide direct services to Mercer County residents, but directs Mercer County residents to where they can access services. With this funding, the Department of Human Services complies with procurement practices in accordance with the New Jersey Public Contracts Law 40:A:11-1 et seq.