Somerset County
Home MenuGovernment » Human Services » Department Newsletter
June 2023
Reflections on Redemption
“[No] matter what a waste one has made of one's life, it is ever possible to find some path to redemption, however partial.”
― Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain
“Murderers don't get forgiven just because we promise to be good from now on. We have to earn our way back. One hundred is the price. One hundred lives for each we took. That seems fair. That's how we get whole again and that's our work, from now until as long as it takes.”
― Bill Willingham, Fables, Vol. 18: Cubs in Toyland
“Every Saint has a past.
Every Sinner, has a future.”
― Oscar Wilde
In the 70 or so “Thoughts…” pieces I’ve written since we started this journey together, I’ve often touched on human service constructs (policy, programming, service delivery) as sometimes being skewed as viewed through the lens of moral failure, confusion between illness and “free choice” and a binary (helpers or helped) mind set. In addition to simply being unfair and stigmatizing it promotes a “puritan” world view and assigns human beings to boxes, categories and attributions that are viewed as “life defining and life lasting.” Today, I’d like to talk with you about a different kind of construct: that of one’s life as being fluid and full of unrealized potentials with a belief in the power of self-redemption.
We are an interesting culture; while we celebrate transformation and redemptive change via the arts (movies, books, theater) we are much less inclined to believe our fellow human beings are truly capable of such change here in the real world. This kind of dualistic thinking has tremendous meaning for the work of human service professionals, and even more so for the folks (in this context, residents of Somerset County) for whom that work is designed to help. Assuming you accept my premise (you may or may not), why the different standard in what we imagine (fiction) and what we live (reality)?
As much as we have evolved over the last couple of centuries, at our core, we hold on to the trappings of our “fire and brimstone” past, a legacy that believed redemption and transformation could only come to us by way of a deity’s forgiveness and absolution. Surrendering ourselves to a power greater than ourselves may, indeed, be necessary for some folks to “be redeemed,” but that notion presupposes that we start as damaged and inferior, in need of grace as a mechanism for change. I start with a different premise: that we are human, flawed (and amazing), filled with darkness (and light), capable of achieving great things (but also capable of hiding in a corner until our lifetime finally passes). My point? The belief we have in our transformational fictional characters ought to manifest in our own lives, in our clients, and in our view of the rest of the folks who populate the earth with us.
We learn from our parents and our environment, and to the extent that those forces are positive and nurturing we learn to love ourselves and, for the most part, treat ourselves with respect and dignity. When our parents and environment are negative and destructive, we learn to feel that way about ourselves as well – even when our psychological protection mechanism is a narcissistic one (we secretly hate ourselves but pretend to the world that we are omnipotent and “perfect”). When we can experience, after childhood, a new message of positivity and belief, growth and “self-love” are indeed obtainable. Most of us who work in our field believe this – after all it’s why we chose this line of work in the first place…and yet…how many times have you heard some of us say things like “why revive them with Narcan- they’re just gong to get high again” or “this soon to be released prisoner will be right back in jail so why bother with discharge planning?” or a slew of other similar bromides. It is true- transformation and redemption take really hard work and sacrifice, and some of us won’t be able to work hard enough- for long enough – to change the path we’re on. If we open our eyes and ears, however, we are also surrounded by folks who have changed the course of their lives in big ways. With support, concrete and emotional, we all are capable of change for as long as we still draw breath.
Part of the redemption process is in giving, not taking. It is the full expression of our search for the best in ourselves and part of how we come to such redemption is by helping instill in others the things we may not have received ourselves, or in magnifying and celebrating those things with and for others if we did receive them. As the saying goes, “it’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” As in the fictional land of the Wizard of Oz we, too, can learn to be courageous, thoughtful, and deeply feeling. As NAMI spokesperson Mark Williams reminded us at our recent SCDHS Stigma Free conference, “follow the yellow brick road.” We may not know where it leads, and the “witches” of our past may well chase us, but with the support of fellow road travelers, while continuing to put one foot in front of the other, we can find our way back home – whether it’s the home we had, or the home we were meant to have once we believed it existed.
Celebrating PRIDE
Submitted by Aminah McClain, Case Manager, Richard Hall Community Health & Wellness Center
What is LGBTQ+?
LGBTQ+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning. All of these terms are used to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. LGBTQ+ is ever changing to create an inclusive environment and community. As of April 2021, a new acronym “IA” was approved and stands for intersex and asexual, agender or ally. Intersex is a term that describes a person born with a specific reproductive, sexual anatomy, and a chromosome pattern but does not identify as a typical man or woman. Asexuality is used to identify someone who does not have a sexual attraction to anyone. Agender is a person who does not identify with a gender, and an Ally is a heterosexual person who supports the LGBTQIA+ community.
What can you do to support inclusion in LGBTQIA+ (become an Ally) this pride month?
According to the Human Rights Campaign, a few great ways to show support is to ask questions, talk openly and honestly with your LGBTQIA+ loved ones about their lives, attend pride celebrations and other LGBTQIA+ community events, and speak up if you hear an anti-LGBTQIA+ comment or joke. Some of the ways Richard Hall staff show support is by adding pronouns to email signatures, attending training to help keep informed, and participate in LGBTQIA+ events in the community. Richard Hall staff are inclusive by asking how an individual identifies and what pronouns one prefers. Here at Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center, all are welcome!
Happy PRIDE!
References
Defining LGBTQIA+. (October, 2019). What is LGBTQIA+. The Center. Retrieved from Defining LGBTQIA+ (gaycenter.org).
Farkas, Katie (November 29, 2021). “IA” Has Been Added to LGBTQ+ for More Campus Inclusivity. Delphian Newspapers. Retrieved from “IA” Has Been Added to LGBTQ+ for More Campus Inclusivity (thedelphianau.com).
Human Rights Campaign Foundation. (October, 2022). Being an LGTBQ+ Ally. Reports. Retrieved from Being an LGBTQ+ Ally - HRC Digital Reports
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, substance use or gambling challenges, please call our ACCESS Center at 908-253-3165. If this is a psychiatric emergency call Bridgeway PESS at 908-527-4100 OR
CALL the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 to talk to a counselor 24/7/365
Help Us To Help You!
The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services needs your help in planning necessary programs and services for people aged 60 +, caregivers and people living with disabilities. By participating in this needs assessment survey, you will help guide us in making decisions about the most needed community-based senior services in Somerset County. Please answer the following survey so that we can gain a better understanding of the seniors living in Somerset County.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2023ADRCPlaningSurvey
Paper copies of this survey can be attained by calling the Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services at (908) 704-6346 or by emailing OfficeAging@co.somerset.nj.us
The Department of Human Services just hosted the second Stigma Free Somerset County mental health conference on Friday May 19th. 135 attendees came together to learn more about best practices and community resources, and to hear stories from professionals, family members, and those with limited experience. This was all for one purpose: to reduce the stigmas around mental health and substance use disorders and increase access to competent and accessible care in our Somerset County community. We are lucky to live and work in a very supportive community that celebrates are diverse residents. But we can’t pretend to ignore the very real and tangible impacts of stigma on our self-efficacy, interpersonal human interactions, and systemic barriers that impact the health outcomes and opportunities of many populations. We used this day to explore themes of loss, pain, and isolation, acknowledging nuances of culture and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and religion, and celebrating stories of hope and recovery. We hope to see you next year!
Watch a recording of the conference below:
Part 1
Part 2
The Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP) assists those with permanent physical disabilities maintain their highest level of independence while remaining active in the community. PASP is designed to provide individuals 18 years of age or older with physical disabilities with choice, flexibility, control, and the opportunity to tailor their personal care services through a monthly budget. PASP enables adults with permanent physical disabilities, who are not eligible for Medicaid, to be employed or self-employed, participate in educational programs (such as college or job training) for employment, and/or volunteer their time at least 20 hours a month in a community-based setting. PASP is a social model allowing participants to independently make decisions, manage, and supervise their own care. Participants selected for the program may receive up to 40 hours of services per week, based on their individual assessment. Some examples of possible services covered under PASP are personal care, meal preparation, transportation, errand services, household management, and purchase supplies and/or equipment. Participants can choose to hire from an agency or hire a friend or family member. For more information about the Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP) or to complete an inquiry, please call or email Jannell Wilson, PASP Coordinator, Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability Services at (908) 704-6346 or jwilson@co.somerset.nj.us.
The PROUD Center
Submitted by Meg Isbitski, Somerset County Mental Health Administrator
This June, we would like to highlight one of our amazing community providers. The Babs Siperstein PROUD Center and the PROUD Gender Center are fully integrated operations within the Robert Wood Johnson hospital system, offering specialized and affirming healthcare to community members within the LGBTQIA+ population. Services include primary medical care, wellness exams and sick visits, behavioral health services, gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), and general affirmation consultation, surgery, and navigation services. The Center also provides whole person care, focusing on education and training, support groups, community outreach, and referrals to community resources and specialty services. This passionate team provides a safe place for community members to receive competent and dignified healthcare services to increase health outcomes, personal preference, and quality of life. To access the PROUD Center for services or more information, call: (855) 776-8334 or visit: https://www.rwjbh.org/our-locations/outpatient-rehab-center/babs-siperstein-proud-center/
We are lucky for the partnership with the RWJ PROUD Center and have to brag that Ashley Isaiah Harris, LGBT Health Coordinator for the New Brunswick location was one of the keynote speakers at our Stigma Free Conference this year!
Why Somerset County Needs More Affordable Housing
Submitted by the Somerset County Community Development Office
There is much information and literature about the fact that Somerset County is a great place to live, work and play. Located in between New York City and Philadelphia, Somerset County’s residents enjoy a beautiful landscape with easy access to several major highways and all the conveniences that come with living in a modern, fast-paced metropolitan area. In addition, because there are several well-known universities in the immediate area, the region attracts corporations and retailers who are drawn to an educated workforce here that can positively impact their bottom line. While all these factors make for a very desirable community, the unfortunate consequence is an inflationary effect on the cost of housing.
The Out of Reach 2022 Report identifies Somerset County as one of the most expensive counties in NJ, where the housing wage (the amount a household must earn per hour working 40 hours per week, 52 weeks a year to pay less than 30% of their income on rent) is $35.60 per hour. The report goes on to mention that in NJ, one person must work 96 hours per week at minimum wage to afford a 2-bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,628. This number is even higher in Somerset County, where the FMR for the same unit is $1,851. If you’ve spent any time looking at what it costs to rent in Somerset County recently, you already know how hard it is to find a unit at these prices. A survey of Apartments.com listings from May 2023 found that the average rent listed for a 2-bedroom apartment in the southern portion of Somerset County is $2,776. This figure is based on listings for 140 apartments located in Bound Brook, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Franklin, Hillsborough, Manville, Montgomery, North Plainfield, Raritan, Somerville, and South Bound Brook.
The New Jersey True Poverty Tracker, published in September of 2022 by Legal Services of New Jersey, emphasizes that high housing costs, along with high childcare, food, transportation, and health care costs, means that many people with incomes that are significantly above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) experience the kind of depravation that is typically associated with poverty. For example, consider a family of three, one parent and two children. According to the FPL, this household must have an income below $20,598 to be designated as living in poverty. However, the New Jersey True Poverty Tracker calculates the True Poverty level (defined as the lowest amount a family requires to avoid deprivation in any one critical life area) for this family in New Jersey at $70,372, which is a difference of $49,774 annually. Because housing costs are typically the largest financial burden, half of all rental households that live with an income below the True Poverty threshold spend more than 46% of their income on rent.
Many of the people that we need to have in this community because of the work that they do, cannot afford to live in Somerset County. Based upon www.salary.com average salaries from May 2023 for the Somerville area and allotting 30% of income for housing costs, take an Emergency Medical Technician with an annual salary of $41,030 and a housing allowance of $1,026 per month or a Childcare Manager with an annual salary of $28,524 and a housing allowance of $713 per month. Where can they afford to live? How about a Social Service Assistant with an annual salary of $45,683 and a housing allowance of $1,142 per month or a Home Health Aide with an annual salary of $31,492 and a housing wage of $787? Where would they live in Somerset County? Is it realistic to think that a person should commute from out of state? The answer is that people live from paycheck to paycheck, going without necessities like medicine and food. In the worst-case scenario, they lose their housing and experience homelessness. As you consider this information, think about the people in your life and how much they earn. How challenging is it for them to find housing that is affordable? How do you think they are managing?
Consider some of the more vulnerable within our population. According to the National Foster Youth Institute, “The child welfare system is sometimes described as a highway to homelessness. An estimated 20 percent of young adults who are in care experience homelessness the moment they’re emancipated at the age of 18. And nationwide, 50% of the homeless population spent time in foster care.” (https://nfyi.org/issues/homelessness/). The Apartments.com survey referenced above found 108 listings for 1-bedroom apartments in the southern portion of Somerset County. The average rent from the listings was $2,173 a month. This also means there is a corresponding average security deposit of $3,259. The combination of high rent and security deposit creates a substantial barrier for most renters, and it is even more severe for youth aging out of the foster care system, who typically have entry-level employment and a limited support system.
Thankfully, the Board of County Commissioners, local governments, the faith community, and non-profit organizations are all working together to pool their resources and put forward solutions in the form of affordable housing, emergency assistance, rental assistance, community education, and advocacy. Within the past year, affordable/senior housing developments have opened in Branchburg, Hillsborough, and Warren. More are being planned and developed. Information regarding affordable developments can be found on the websites for Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (www.cjhrc.org) and Affordable Homes New Jersey (www.affordablehomesnewjersey.com). New affordable developments are leased up quickly via fair lotteries. Some units are made available for people experiencing homelessness. Even with all this positive news, more is needed as evidenced by the struggles detailed in the New Jersey True Poverty Tracker.
With housing issues being so daunting, what can we do as individuals? We can take the time to educate ourselves about who would benefit from affordable housing and then take the time to educate someone else. We can show up at a public meeting and express support for affordable housing. We can donate to a local organization that is trying to help individuals and families that are struggling with housing or other costs. We can help someone that we know is struggling. If everyone does what they can, we can make an impact.
Somerset County 4-H Fair – August 9, 10, & 11, 2023
75 Years and Growing Strong!
This year marks our 75th Anniversary! The Fair will be charged with more energy than ever, expect tons of hands-on activities, great food and live music, and wonderful exhibits for the whole family. As always, the fair has FREE PARKING and ADMISSION, giving the opportunity for everyone to enjoy an extraordinary day outdoors!
For Schedules and Map check out our website www.4histops.org/fair
Tune in to the Facebook Live videos from Somerset County Family & Community Health Sciences (RCE) this June! By doing so, you can earn up to 5 LiveWell points (Metric 14)! Be sure to check out https://www.facebook.com/SCNJFCHS/ for updates and videos!
Below are various job opportunities available within Somerset County including with partner agencies/organizations. For all inquiries, contact the organization directly.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen
Case Manager II
Working within family support services – supporting family members and caregivers with an adult relative living with mental illness. Provide case management services inc. outreaches, linkages, advocacy, referrals, and general support. Assist to facilitate multi-family psycho-education and support groups. Provides ongoing communication to active IFSS caseload. Ensures proper documentation in timely and consistent manner. Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or related field with minimum 2 years experience.
Volunteers of America Delaware Valley - Agape House
Case Manager
Use advanced tools to conduct risk/needs assessments and develop service plans for all clients assigned to your caseload.
Implement those plans subject to review by the Treatment Team and/or approval of the Director/Treatment Coordinator.
Schedule and facilitate case management meetings with clients
Facilitate scheduled workshops, programs, and groups addressing clients' needs.
Maintain appropriate contact with outside agencies contracted to provide specific outsourced services.
https://link.edgepilot.com/s/617bce3f/rMBNhwKYAkK-QgHG2daQ0w?u=https://www.voadv.org/local-jobs
Volunteers of America Delaware Valley - Agape House
Program Assistant
The responsibilities are custodial in function, with the coordination of: on-going security of the facility; accountability for the client population; supervision and support of all clients in their daily routine and chore assignments; orientation of new clients; employee shall monitor client curfews and/or furlough; answer and log all phone calls; file all necessary paperwork and documentation in compliance with Volunteers of America Delaware Valley procedures and funding source requirements.
They will also conduct life skills workshops from time to time. Vital for success in the role will be the capacity to achieve an effective balance between set operational policies and procedures and the use of initiative as and when the need arises.
https://link.edgepilot.com/s/617bce3f/rMBNhwKYAkK-QgHG2daQ0w?u=https://www.voadv.org/local-jobs
Easterseals NJ
ICMS Case Manager
Do you have a passion for helping others? Would you like to enrich the lives of people living with disabilities and special needs in your community? If YES, we have a great opportunity for a Case Manager in our Integrated Case Management Service (ICMS) area who is passionate, kind, and has an interest in working with individuals with Mental Illness! The Case Manager will provide direct care services in a community setting for individuals with Mental Health needs. This position’s primary role is to use rehabilitation values, principles, and techniques to help our program participants overcome barriers to independent living.
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|