Hunterdon County Commissioners approve non-profit community-based services funding through Department of Human Services

HUNTERDON COUNTY, NJ – The Hunterdon County Commissioners recently approved several resolutions authorizing funding for eight provider contracts through the Department of Human Services, to organizations throughout the county including, Prevention Resources, Inc., Progressive Center for Independent Living, and the Good News Home.

Commissioner Shaun C. Van Doren, who also serves as the liaison to the Department of Human Services said, “The recent funding awarded to area non-profits, at the recommendation of the Department of Human Services helps to expand access to important services for those in need of treatment services, help with individual disabilities, and addressing mental health needs in the County.”

Seven of the provider contracts will run for the period of Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026, with one proposed for the period of Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2025. The amount of funds distributed total $834,000.

Listed below is a brief description of the programs that are receiving funding:

1. The Mental Health Stigma program focuses on community education fostering greater understanding of mental health concerns, accessible support systems, and the harmful consequences of public stigma. The program aims to establish connections and provide referrals to mental health resources in the community, through training to community organizations, educational institutions, and places of worship.
2. The Unifying Families Program focuses on strengthening the family unit through small group workshops and individual parenting sessions in accordance with curriculum. Parents are encouraged to develop positive discipline techniques, learn age-appropriate milestones, develop positive interactions, learn coping stress and anxiety skills, and manage emotional and behavioral challenges. Additionally, participants will be provided with community resources, and develop protective factors to potentially decrease risk factors for youth.
3. Early Intervention is a six-week program which serves to assist individuals at a pre-contemplative stage of change, to address risk factors of substance use, and to strengthen protective factors through education and supportive dialogue.
4. Law Enforcement Adolescent Program (LEAP) is funded by utilizing Juvenile Justice Commission funding and is a community-based service providing immediate sanction for first time juvenile offenders ages 12-17, who have committed a Disorderly Persons or Petty Disorderly Persons Offense and have been found delinquent. The program offers early intervention, community linkages, and life skills services. The program also offers monitoring of community service hours.
5. The Prevention Education program’s goal is to reduce the risk factors and strengthen the protective factors in relation to decreasing underage drinking and opioid misuse which includes prescription drugs, fentanyl and heroin and marijuana/vaping. The Life Skills program for youth and families educates on the harm/risks and lifelong consequences of misuse of drugs, underage drinking, and marijuana/vaping. The Life Skills program for seniors and veterans focuses on the risk of misusing prescription pain medication.
6. The Recovery Center is a peer-to-peer recovery support service led by a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and supervised by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Services include education, advocacy, mentoring through personal recovery experiences, as well as assistance to obtain housing, employment, education, healthcare, and advocacy services. Both clinical and non-clinical recovery support is provided to assist with the transition from treatment into the recovery community. The Center provides a safe space for individuals to maintain sobriety and aims to assist in preventing overdoses.
7. Progressive Center for Independent Living was awarded funding for their Recreational Experiences and Community Connections. This program, also called RECC, offers social recreational opportunities to individuals living with a variety of disabilities in Hunterdon County. The program goals include allowing people with disabilities to feel empowered and including in their local communities by providing access in a safe and inclusive environment.
8. Good News Home for Women was awarded funding to support a transitional housing for women who are ready to live independently. This program fills a gap in the community for sober living. This program also offers peer support and recovery support as the participants transition to self-sufficiency.

Human Services Director, Meagan Q. O’Reilly, said, “Empowering our communities through human services funding is not just an investment in nonprofits, it is an investment in the resilience and well-being of each individual served by these programs.”