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September 2023
Common Ground in Human Service Initiatives (And How to Find It)
“Patriotism is love of country. But you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and countrywomen. We don't always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must find the common ground, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good.”
-- Cory Booker
“Finding common ground means reaching out with respect and aloha - despite the issues that divide us, despite the hurt, despite the fear - and recognize what unites us as human beings.”
-- Tulsi Gabbard
My child overdosed and died last night. No one should care what her politics were.
My father’s dementia has left him confused and lost. No one should care what his politics are.
My cousin is homeless and hungry. No one should care what his politics are.
My veteran brother struggles with severe depression. No one should care what his politics are.
Folks sometimes ask me how I think politics influence the world of human service programs and general social welfare delivery systems. In our current polarized national political climate, it may seem that there are more differences among people than there are similarities, but I think this isn’t true. Underneath the surface, away from social media and the glare of hot rhetoric and invective, we all deal with the stress of a world where sometimes bad things happen to good people. All of us, liberal and conservative, of every gender, race, and religion, feel pain, sadness, hunger, and fear. Despite what we might think from watching particular “news” channels, most of us desire (secretly or otherwise) connection and understanding more than demonizing our brothers and sisters – or ensconcing ourselves in a fortress with weaponry in which we imagine we are living in a binary world of “us and them.”
To be sure, our socio-political views of the work at hand influence many aspects of human service delivery systems but often that is a question of “who should pay for what” and what role government should play in the provision of a social safety net. For those in need of that net, these questions are secondary, at best. Those of us privileged enough to have never needed such assistance may feel that we are protected from having the bottom fall out in our lives and that we have a plan for how to deal with things if it does. As Mike Tyson (a man who has been both underprivileged and privileged in his lifetime and who has been both abused and abusive) is famously quoted as saying “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
As public as county human services sponsored programs are, at their core they are also distinctly private. Clients are often dealing with some of the most stressful and difficult transitions in life. Our system partners often see their clients when they are at their most raw and vulnerable and “politics” are the last thing anyone witnessing such pain is focusing on.
It might seem that we’ve never been more politically, and value conflicted in our American history, but this is not really true. In addition to the most (literally) divided period (our Civil War) 1962-72 was, some would argue, as divided as our current circumstance. There is little to measure objectively here but my point simply is that we’ve been through this before. Unfortunately, it is also clear that our earliest conflicts as a country have never been resolved and until we truly deal with all our national baggage (classism, enslavement, and the vestiges of it alive today, gender stereotyping) our polarized socio-political landscape will continue, unabated.
Let me try to connect some dots here. In my career, both as a social worker in county government and as a semi-pro musician for big chunks of my life, I have found personal affection and warmth in relationships with people whose political views couldn’t be more different than mine. Sometimes I’ve known this early in the relationship- sometimes much later, but in all of these it has been clear that when something becomes personal, the calculus changes. Removed from the noise, the bombast, flaming rhetoric and stereotyping, we are human beings trying to care for and protect the ones we love in the best way we can. We would do so much better if we lowered the flame interpersonally (while raising it at the ballot box).
Common ground in human services? Being human.
Community in Crisis Goes Purple to Mark Overdose Awareness Day
Submitted by Ebeny J. Torres, Addiction Services Coordinator
On Overdose Awareness Day (August 31), Community in Crisis led employees of Somerville Borough Hall, the Somerset County Department of Human Services, and key community stakeholders to place 50 flags at Borough Hall to commemorate those lives lost to substance overdose in Somerville.
The Municipal Alliance Network is in search of local citizens and community members who are dedicated to the integral work of prevention to join their local Municipal Alliance Committee. The Municipal Alliance Committees are an essential part of developing and implementing programs in the Somerset County community that are integral to the education and prevention of substance use. To get involved in your local alliance contact Somerset County Addiction Services Coordinator Ebeny J. Torres at etorres@co.somerset.nj.us or 908-704-6305.
Welcome New FCHS Program Coordinator, Mikayla Kane!
Mikaela holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology from Rutgers University. She is pursuing graduate education online with University of Western States, Oregon in the area of Mental Health Counseling and Sports & Performance Psychology. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and has many years of experience in the fitness field and is an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor. Mikayla has worked on several nutrition and wellness grants including the NJ Power to Prevent Diabetes Program. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Somerset County is happy to welcome Mikayla to the team.
Meal Planning Made Easy
Looking for healthy new ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner meals? Join Jennifer Korneski, Healthy Living Program Coordinator on September 13th for Meal Planning Made Easy. You’ll get recipes, tips, and prep hacks to make mealtime easier. Earn 2 Live Well points for attending this class.
The Somerset County 4-H Fair took place on August 9, 10, and 11 and brought hundreds of people to see the animals, exhibits, community organizations, and of course, the fair food! Check out more 4-H photos here: https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/about/county-info/4h-fair
Updates from the Mental Health Administrator
Submitted by Meg Isbitski, Mental Health Administrator
Stigma Free:
September is suicide prevention and recovery month. It is annual federal observance to recognize those in our community who cope and recover from mental health and substance use disorders, as well as a remembrance to those we have lost. It is a time of reflection and awareness of the very important role a community holds as a social determinant of health. “Recovery capital”, the total resources a person has available in their community to find and maintain recovery, is dictated by opportunities for meaningful employment, safe and affordable housing, supportive community messages from systems and leaders, safe recreation, and opportunities to advocate. Communities with have higher rates of recovery capital are imperative to a cohesive and multifaceted place to live, work, and play.
In Somerset County, this feels all too relevant, as we reflect on national reports that highlight these disparities country-wide. Two data points include: The Surgeon General’s Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Provisional Suicide Deaths in the United States, 2022 . These reports stress the increased social and emotional disconnect we are experiencing from one another. This isolation causes us to turn inward and focus to the constant news cycle of bullying stories, politics, inflation, war, climate disasters, and the like.
We as a community have the opportunity to decide how we want to respond. By leveraging our resources and successes while analyzing gaps, we can develop meaningful responses to safeguard our residents.
Some recent successes:
- Our community partner, Community in Crisis announced the official designation of Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity ReStore as Somerset County’s first Recovery-Friendly Workplace (RFW). A Recovery Friendly Workplace strengthens both the employer and employee by making the connection between recovery, well-being, and performance. Rooted in the peer recovery movement, the employer driven RFW initiative combats stigma, empowers individuals, and cultivates a supportive workplace culture for employees in recovery as well as those impacted by the opioid crisis, substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health concerns. Contact Community in Crisis to learn more: https://communityincrisis.org/recovery-support/
- Our very own Stigma Free Somerset County Chair Mark Williams was awarded August 16th at the Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma for the work he has done around reducing mental health stigma in our community. Mark has 35 years experienced as a psychiatric nurse and is involved in advocacy for mental health care and improved access, especially for black men. Mark is on the Board of Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services, NAMI NJ, and is the North Plainfield Stigma Free Zone Ambassador, the first stigma free community in Somerset County. Congratulations, Mark!
Opportunities for education, connection, and advocacy:
- September 15th: Please attend our September Stigma Free meeting and share your opinions about what you would like to see in our community as far as advocacy around suicide prevention, recovery, and improved access to information, resources, and navigation. We would like to use this meeting as an open forum to hear more about what community members would like to see related to education, awareness, and advocacy:
September Stigma Free Somerset County Meeting
September 15th
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Meeting ID: 952 4489 5449
One tap mobile +19292056099 US
- September 27th: Join us at our upcoming Somerset County Joint Council meeting. This annual meeting brings together our various councils that advocate for community needs under the umbrella of our Human Services Advisory Council. The Joint Council meeting will be held on Wednesday September 27th from 8:30am-12pm at the with the theme “No Man is An Island: Individual and Community Response to the Loneliness Epidemic”. Register here
- September 28th, Building a Better Risk Assessment. This workshop will review the development and administration of the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, covering items predictive of increased risk. Participants will learn how to administer the full and screening versions of the tool, how to use the checklist of risk and protective factors, how to customize the tool, and how to interpret results. Population-specific additions will also be reviewed (very young children, military, etc.) Register here.
Resources:
Call or text 988 (chat online) to access the National Suicide Prevention Hotline for crisis intervention, emotional support, and connection to community resources. This service is 24-7 and offered at no cost. Reach out, you are not alone.
If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, contact Bridgeway Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services at 908-526-4100. This is a 24-7 service for Somerset County residents of all ages.
Need navigation? Contact our Behavioral Health System Navigator. The Behavioral Health System Navigator serves as a point-of-contact for individuals who live or work in Somerset County in need of accessing an often complex behavioral health system. The Navigator will help any resident or community partner by providing information, brief support, referral, consultation, and liaison services. If you or a loved one are seeking help with connecting to substance use and/or mental health treatment, or support, please contact sbillitz@co.somerset.nj.us or 908-203-6130.
Somerset County holds 2nd Crisis Intervention Team Training:
Somerset County has scheduled the second Crisis Intervention Team training. This de-escalation training for local law enforcement who are co-trained with mental health professionals, peers, volunteers, and clergy. The 40 hour training is offered at no cost and has 7 remaining slots for professionals, volunteers, and community advocates who work with or on behalf of clients who unnecessarily touch the legal and criminal justice systems. The training will be held October 23rd through 27th at the Emergency Services Training Academy in Hillsborough New Jersey. If you are interested in attending, please contact Meg Isbitski for more information: isbitski@co.somerset.nj.us
Free Training! Introduction to the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative
The Fundamentals of JDAI is a seven-week course offered on JDAIconnect. It is designed for individuals — whether newcomers or recently promoted — who operate within or are closely connected to their local juvenile justice system and have the potential to champion the implementation of JDAI principles.
The training will give participants the opportunity to:
- gain a foundational understanding of JDAI as a model for youth justice system reform;
- learn JDAI’s core strategies; and
- apply the JDAI model to detention reform and other targets of the youth justice system.
Beginning on September 19 and concluding on October 31, the course will consist of weekly eLearnings, readings, assignments and virtual work sessions.
Orientation | September 19 | Introductions, Course Overview & Navigating the Technology
Session 1 | September 26 | History, Values, Objectives & Results
Session 2 | October 3 | Core Strategy: Equity & Inclusion
Session 3 | October 10 | Core Strategies: Data-Driven Decisions & Collaboration
Session 4 | October 17 | Core Strategies: Admissions, Alternatives & Case Processing
Session 5 | October 24 | Core Strategies: Special Detention Populations & Conditions of Confinement
Session 6 | October 31 | Conclusion: Getting Started and Next Steps
**Space for the course is limited! In order to register you must commit to participate in the seven sessions with a time commitment of approximately three hours a week.**
To register, please visit https://pretrial.wufoo.com/forms/fundamentals-of-jdai-a-fall-2023/
CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER (CJHRC)
HOMEBUYER EDUCATION -- If you want to purchase a home, but don’t know how or where to begin or how much you can afford – start by contacting CJHRC and enroll in our FREE pre-purchase individual, online or 2-day virtual webinar. Buying a home is very overwhelming and our counseling is a great way to learn about the process. Participants can receive a certificate of completion which is important because it is required by lenders to get special mortgage products (reduced rate mortgages for 1st Time Homebuyers), as well as a requirement of most down payment/closing cost grant programs. Contact a CJHRC Counselor at 908-446-0036 for more information.
To register for our September 2-day virtual homebuyer webinar, click the link below:
September 11 & September 13, 2023
5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
(must register & attend both day)
Click here to register
FINANCIAL LITERACY -- According to a recent study, 3 in 5 adults DO NOT keep a budget – and most households cannot handle an unexpected $400 emergency due to limited or no savings! With everything costing more right now, it is difficult to meet all financial obligations, as well as not take on more debt. Achieving financial goals can also be a struggle in this economy. Attend this FREE webinar to learn budgeting, tracking, avoiding scams, why debt to income as well as credit scores are important and more! Register for CJHRC’s October 18, 2023 FREE financial literacy webinar at the link below. If this is not convenient for you, enroll in our FREE individual or online counseling by contacting a CJRHC Counselor at 908-446-0036.
Financial Literacy Webinar
October 18, 2023
6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Click here to register
CJHRC’s staff provide FREE counseling services for financial literacy, pre- and post-purchase, rental, mortgage default/foreclosure, Fair Housing issues/questions and homeless counseling. Contact a CJHRC Counselor at 908-446-0036 or visit our website at www.cjhrc.org to view resources.
Make sure you like us on Facebook (Central Jersey Housing Resource Center) or follow us on Instagram (cjhrc_housing) to get important housing announcements, resources and information. CJHRC posts weekly on our social media accounts.
4-H Fair Recap
Submitted by Luisa Hernandez, Office of Youth Services
In my first year as the Somerset County 4-H Fair Coordinator with the Office of Youth Services, the experience was truly special. This role allowed me to be at the center of the fair and connect with the community.
The Office of Youth Services played a crucial role in making the fair informative and helpful. We answered questions and shared information about our office and the resources for both youth and families in Somerset County.
As part of our efforts to promote awareness and engagement, we organized two prize baskets – the School Supply Basket and the Serenity Basket. The donations for these baskets were generously provided by CCAMC (Commission on Child Abuse and Missing Children), and Friends of Somerset County Youth. The School Supply Basket was won by Jackeline Amador of Raritan, a parent of two children ages 2 and 10. This basket not only provided practical resources for education but also symbolized our commitment to supporting families in the county. The Serenity Basket, won by Suzanne Kibalo of Bridgewater, added a touch of relaxation and self-care to someone's life, reinforcing the idea that our community cares about well-being at all levels.
Seeing the fairgrounds filled with people from Somerset County and nearby areas was heartwarming, and the evident sense of unity among the diverse crowd was truly heartening. Working alongside my co-workers emphasized that the fair is more than just an event – it's a collaborative celebration that brings everyone together.
Among the many highlights, one of the things I absolutely loved was interacting with the variety of animals present at the fair. As someone who adores animals, having the chance to engage with them brought me tons of happiness.
I would like to extend a thank you to the entire Youth Services team for volunteering their time and effort, and a special gratitude to Co-Coordinator Nancy Newton for leading the way. Our collective dedication to making the fair a platform for education and community awareness was evident in the smiles and conversations we witnessed.
As the current year's fair ends, I'm sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this tradition and I'm looking forward with anticipation to next year’s fair! Together, we will continue to create an environment that not only entertains but also informs and empowers our community.
(Winner of the School Supply Basket) |
(Winner of the Serenity Basket) |
Habitat for Humanity Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Somerville Mayor Dennis Sullivan gives remarks at Habitat for Humanity ribbon-cutting ceremony on Grove Street in Somerville on August 8, 2023.
Several local veterans including Homeowner-to-Be Brandon Everheart (2nd from left) put the first shovels into the ground.
Community members, including county staff look on as the groundbreaking ceremony unfolds.
Stay tuned for more pictures when the home is lowered onto the site on September 19!
Emerging Danger: Xylazine
Submitted by Daniel O’Connell, LCSW, Richard Hall Community Health & Wellness Center
While fentanyl has been at the forefront of the opioid crisis, a new dangerous cutting agent has emerged to complicate the situation further. Xylazine is a powerful sedative, originally designed for veterinary use, and often used as a cutting agent for fentanyl, creating a lethal concoction that is pushing the boundaries of the opioid crisis to new heights.
Xylazine, which is approved as a sedative and muscle relaxant intended for use in animals, has gained notoriety as an adulterant for illegally trafficked opioids like fentanyl. Drug dealers have been incorporating xylazine into fentanyl to stretch their supply and amplify the effects of their product. This toxic combination may lead to an alarming surge in overdose deaths across the United States.
While the practice of adulterating drugs is not new, the addition of xylazine to opioids may be especially perilous. Xylazine intensifies the potency of fentanyl, creating a deadly synergy that heightens the risk of overdose. Users who believe they are consuming pure opioids may unknowingly ingest a lethal mixture, dramatically increasing the chances of a fatal outcome.
Narcan (naloxone) has long been hailed as a lifesaving tool in the fight against opioid overdoses. Administered nasally, Narcan rapidly reverses the effects of opioids, restoring breathing and consciousness to individuals who are experiencing an opiate overdose. However, Narcan’s effectiveness is severely limited when it comes to combating xylazine-induced overdoses.
Xylazine acts on a different neural pathway compared to opioids, rendering Narcan largely ineffective in reversing its effects. While Narcan can temporarily alleviate some of the respiratory depression caused by opioids like fentanyl, it has minimal impact on the sedative properties of xylazine. This critical distinction means that even when Narcan is administered promptly, it may fail to counteract the full spectrum of dangers posed by xylazine-involved overdoses.
The emergence of xylazine as a cutting agent in the illicit drug trade has exacerbated an already dire public health crisis. A medical community that has been struggling to respond effectively to fentanyl now finds one of its most potent breakthroughs to be largely ineffective in the face of xylazine-fentanyl mixtures.
Efforts to combat this emerging danger may focus on a multi-faceted approach. Education regarding the growing prevalence of Xylazine and raising awareness regarding Narcan’s ineffectiveness may be helpful for drug users unaware of the new risks. Still, given the power of addiction, it seems unlikely that the dissemination of this new information will be adequate to change drug use behaviors on a significant scale.
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
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 - Bridgewater, NJ
Clinician 1 and Clinician 2
Clinician - 1 position for Substance Use Disorder position
Clinician - 1 position for Mental Health position
Job code: 14420 Fee-for-Service - In person
Sign-on Bonus: $1,500
Salary: $40 per session
Bridgewater, NJ Outpatient Program
Fee for service (up to19 hours weekly) clinical position responsible for the following:
- Conduct Biopsychosocial and NJSAMS assessments and diagnosing using ASAM criteria
- Perform individual and family for the substance abuse and mental health population at an outpatient level
- Work with the IDRC population
- Complete comprehensive treatment plans every 90 days
Requirements
- LCADC and/or LCSW required, with minimum one year of substance abuse and mental health counseling experience
To learn more about Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, please visit our web site: www.ccdom.org. Resumes can be mailed to Catholic Charities, DOM, 319 Maple Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861