HUMAN SERVICES NEWSLETTER  9-24-21

SEPTEMBER IS SAFE HAVEN AWARENESS MONTH

The Safe Haven Act allows the anonymous surrender of a 30 day or younger infant to any 24/7 Police, Fire, Rescue Station or Emergency Room.  Find a location in your area. 

No questions asked. Learn how it works here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CLASSES  & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

FREE WEBINAR ADDRESSING STRESS AND ANXIETY MANAGEMENT

Launching its new Wellness @Wilson program series, the John O. Wilson Hamilton Neighborhood Center, Inc. invites you to attend our free, live webinar on “How to Manage Daily Anxiety and Stress in Everyday Life” on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 7 – 8 pm. Presented by Deborah Millar, RN and Craig Harley of Penn Medicine Princeton Health, this one-hour webinar will explore the signs and symptoms of stress and anxiety, discuss the dramatic increase in cases affecting Americans since the start of the pandemic, and provide helpful strategies on ways to better manage these conditions and one’s overall mental health and wellness. Please Register Now to attend the free program or call the John O. Wilson Center for more information at 609-393-6480, ext. 107. Registration is with Penn Medicine Princeton Health.   

EVICTION MORATORIUM INFORMATION

As New Jersey winds down the COVID-19 eviction moratorium, the State has introduced critical protections to renter households who experienced economic hardships during the pandemic.

New Jersey's Eviction Protections and Self-Certification Form:

If you live in a New Jersey household with income below 120% of your county's Area Median Income, you are permanently protected from eviction or removal at any time for nonpayment of rent, habitual late payment of rent, or failure to accept a rent increase that accrued from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.

Depending on your household's income level and specific circumstances, you may also be eligible for protection from eviction or removal through December 31, 2021, and other assistance and services. These protections are not affected by the Supreme Court's decision on the CDC's eviction moratorium.

Complete the self-certification form to learn about New Jersey protections you may qualify for and complete the necessary self-certification of your household income.

Read here for more details and frequently asked questions regarding renter protections and the self-certification form. 

If you have questions and need assistance, please call (609) 490-4550.

Looking Out For Your Legal Rights is LSNJ's community legal education newsletter. In language that is easy to understand, Looking Out For Your Legal Rights gives you general information about current legal issues and how they may affect you. Part of each issue is available in a Spanish-language section, Cuáles son sus derechos legales. View PDF file of current issue September 2021 Critical Housing & Utility Updates: Evictions trials have begun COVID utility protections extended COVID eviction moratorium/protections changed How to apply for rental assistance Emergency housing vouchers New law favors kinship care over foster care Know your educational rights Can Unemployment demand a refund? View list of past issues

JOB SKILLS, CLOTHING GIVEAWAYS, JOB FAIRS & CAREER COACH MENTORS

MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION

PAST EVENTS

Mercer County Improvement Authority (MCIA) in conjunction with Mercer County Division of Public Health/CEHA conducts a School Chemical Compliance Management Program. It includes acceptance of approved Hazardous Waste and Electronic Waste. Three events were planned in 2021 (3/26, 6/4 & 9/10). All Schools within Mercer County (Public, Private, Charter & Parochial) are eligible to participate. Pictured to the right is Anil Sharma, Mercer County Division of Public Health/CEHA checking the approved forms.

VARIOUS LOCAL RESOURCES

Shine and Inspire, Inc. is a non-profit organization, 501(c)3, whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for Mercer County, New Jersey residents through the charitable gifts of local businesses and members of the community. Shine and Inspire is based on the idea of paying it forward, as part of the application process, applicants will be asked to describe how they in turn will give back to the community. Apply for Assistance! Any resident of Mercer County, NJ can apply to Shine and Inspire.

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. 

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.