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April 2023
“Coming Out of the (COVID) Dark: Lessons Learned?”
“I think it’s very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person.” – Oscar Wilde
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” – Marie Curie
“The pandemic has been a great teacher. We grew better at listening, not assuming that everyone’s realities are the same, and focusing on things that truly mattered above all.”
- Mankiran Chowhan
As I write this “Thoughts From the Director” column (my 70th or so to date, give or take) it seems a very long journey we’ve been on together since the very first piece I wrote for the SCDHS newsletter in February of 2016. Granted, that’s a span of 7 years but it is the last 3 that sometimes seem like a lifetime. Our COVID transmission rate in New Jersey has held fairly steady at .085 for a couple of weeks now (anything less than 1.0 means that virus transmission is on the decline), and it seem likely that we may finally have turned a corner. COVID isn’t “gone” of course, but it may now (due to a combination of factors, not the least of which is the number of infected and vaccinated folks) settle into the public health pattern we’ve become accustomed to with the flu.
The latest data (NY Times, 3/23/23) shows the following for Somerset County: “An average of 19 cases per day were reported in Somerset County, a 16 percent decrease from the average two weeks ago. Since the beginning of the pandemic, a total of 98,541 cases have been reported. Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 1 in 319 residents have died of Covid-19, a total of 1,032 reported deaths.” Clearly, right here at home, COVID has changed the lives of thousands of people. For those who lost a family member, or for whom lingering long COVID symptoms continue to be “the gift that keeps on giving,” these past 3 years have been tremendously difficult. As with so many things, the degree to which our residents’ lives have been affected by COVID depends on the usual cluster of life circumstances: socio-economic status, access to affordable health care and availability of social supports.
I’m still, as of this writing a “NOVID,” who has somehow (bi-valent boosting, masking, and sheer luck) managed to avoid becoming infected with the virus. That could change at any moment of course. I no longer worry about what would happen if I did become ill with COVID, but I’d be more than happy not to tempt “long COVID symptom” fate. I do, however, struggle psychologically with fully re-emerging from the partial cocoon of the most intense periods of the pandemic era. It is only in the last 2 weeks that I’ve taken on some events sans mask (and dropped my marketing mask ritual). It seemed time, even given my previous 1,000-day hypervigilance. The data is clearly trending in the right direction and the science no longer really makes the case for my previous level of caution. As I drop my guard, though, I’ve had a series of “lesson learned” thoughts, which I will share in list format (in no particular order). You will note the occasional paradoxical nature of some of them. Perhaps these will resonate with you:
--Virtual work meetings (Zoom, etc.) are convenient and reduce the hassle time involved in attending them. Travel is no longer an issue and money is saved on gas; staying connected with colleagues can seem easier. Often, however it is clear that some participants aren’t really paying attention and discussions can seem cursory and pro forma.
--COVID precautions provided some of us with a “good excuse” about not seeing people we weren’t particularly thrilled to see in the first place. Unfortunately, we weren’t connecting with folks we genuinely did miss at the same time.
--Hugs- both purposeful AND random -don’t translate well to the world of isolation and caution. Whether human beings fully realize it or not, touch is critical for us.
--Time spent alone (or with immediate family) worked in two ways; for some, it promoted reflection and self-knowledge and a closer sense of relationship, but for others it increased acting out and relational dysfunction.
--Life is precious and the opportunity to live it fully should never be taken for granted.
I could, of course, go on. Suffice it to say that regardless of the “lessons learned,” those who were personally affected by COVID loss likely would have chosen to skip the lessons and had their loved one back. As I write this column, there has been another mass shooting (this time in Nashville, involving little children, among others). It is the 129th mass shooting in the U.S. in 2023. Context (about personal safety and the degree to which a society goes to protect it) is everything.
COVID will hopefully continue to fade and perhaps we can get back to work with new purpose and dedication. Peace, all.
Welcome to the Stigma Free Zone!
Join us for a webinar
Wednesday April 19th at 2pm via Zoom
Spend some time with the Stigma Free Somerset County committee to learn about the initiative and how to get on board. This information session is open to all community members, municipal leaders, and community stakeholders, including those who have already passed the resolution to be Stigma Free. Learn the history and purpose of the initiative as well as how to bring it to your community!
Speakers:
Mark Williams, Stigma Free Somerset County Chair
Mayor Mary Jane Canose, Bernardsville Borough
Jeff Phillips, Community Support Programs of New Jersey
Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAucOGuqjkvHtYAeqarPMAEwOYuHBMgqJM-
Contact stigmafree@co.somerset.nj.us or 908-704-6300 with any questions
April is Second Chance Month
Submitted by Gayle Allen, MA, Senior Program Coordinator, Office of Juvenile Institutional Services
The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention observe Second Chance Month each April. The focus is on helping individuals, communities, and agencies across the country recognize the importance of reentry and their role in supporting safe and successful reentry for adults and youth who have previously been committed to a period of incarceration.
In 2019, the OJJDP released a toolkit and pocket guide to assist youth and families as they navigate the challenges of reentry. In this video Dr. Sanzanna Dean, OJJDP Deputy Associate Administrator, discusses “Reentry Starts Here: A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Programs.”
Additionally, the National Reentry Resource Center, with support from OJJDP and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, offers a variety of reentry resources including webinars, podcasts, and live learning events. The Center’s website also includes resources for the justice field and Second Chance Act grantees. Below is a list of live webinars that will run throughout the month of April. Registration for each of these events can be found at https://nationalreentryresourcecenter.org/news/second-chance-month-2023-webinars
Tuesday, April 4
- Strengthening and Maintaining Family Connections: Best Practices for Child-Friendly Video Visiting 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
- Implementing Forensic Peer Services into Reentry Programming 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET
- Listen to the Experts: Young People Tell Us What They Need for Successful Reentry 4:00–5:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, April 5
- Housing Finance Basics for Criminal Justice Partners 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
- Pell Reinstatement 2023: Preparing for Implementation 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, April 11
- Enhancing Community Supervision through use of Evidence-based Practices: Preparing Supervision Staff to Advance Behavior Change 3:00–4:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, April 18
- Focusing on Reentry Housing and Family Engagement in Collaborative, Comprehensive Case Plans 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET
- Making Young Persons' Reentry Successful 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET
- Youth Reentry Work Matters: Comprehensive Youth Reentry Planning and Case Management 3:00–4:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, April 19
- Preparing Justice-Impacted People for Infrastructure Jobs 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, April 20
- Look Beyond Recidivism: How to Capture Your Reentry Program's Impact 3:00–4:30 p.m. ET
- Promoting Reentry for Young Adults: Perspectives from the Field 3:00–4:15 p.m. ET
Thursday, April 27
- Harnessing the Power of Video for Reentry Program Branding and Sustainability 3:00–4:30 p.m. ET
Zufall Health Ribbon Cutting at Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center
APRIL IS HOUSING MONTH IN
SOMERSET COUNTY
For the last 31 years, the Somerset County Board of Chosen Commissioners has proclaimed April as Housing Month to preserve Fair Housing while promoting and conserving housing opportunities for County residents. Somerset County has so many wonderful providers working to help residents improve their lives and overcome hurdles. Click on the calendar of events /resources to see what is offered. Click here April Housing Month Calendar (cjhrc.org)
The Fair Housing Act is often referred to as the final great legislative achievement of the civil rights era. CJHRC strives to ensure all individuals and households are aware of their rights. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) is one of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination laws in the country.
Protected Classes under the LAD prohibits discrimination and bias-based harassment based on actual or perceived:
• Race or color;
• Religion or creed;
• National origin, nationality, or ancestry;
• Sex, pregnancy, or breastfeeding;
• Sexual orientation;
• Gender identity or expression;
• Disability;
• Marital status or domestic partnership/civil union status;
• Liability for military service;
• In housing: familial status and source of lawful income used for rental or mortgage payments;
• In employment: age, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, the refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available to an employer the results of a genetic test.
All of CJHRC’s programs and counseling services cover the protections under Fair Housing.
HOUSING MONTH UPCOMING FREE WEBINARS
Virtual Renter Info & Resources Webinar: with Legal Services Expert
April 3, 2023 from 5:30 m to 7:30 pm
Click to register: Virtual Renter Info Webinar
Virtual Fair Housing Webinar:
April 12, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm
Click to register: Fair Housing Webinar
Virtual Homebuyer Webinar:
April 17 & April 19, 2023 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 m
Click to register: Virtual Homebuyer Webinar
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.
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.
Somerset County 4-H Public Presentation Judges Needed!
Every year, Somerset County 4-H’ers are invited to participate in Public Presentations. This opportunity was crafted to give our members a way to express their interests and passions while practicing their public speaking skills. Increasing their confidence, improving their arguments, and organizing their ideas.
We wanted to extend the invitation to County Employees to participate as Judges and give feedback to our youth – no previous experience required (you will be paired with a 4-H volunteer). Public Presentations will take place April 25, 26, 27 with different timeslots and formats (virtually and in-person). If you are interested in participating or have any questions, please contact Yhannels Limongi at limongi@co.somerset.nj.us or sign-up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044DAAA629ABF85-2023
Brother & Sister from Somerville: Their fight against the Opioid Crisis & a Journey to Recovery
Ian and Maryrose Fealey, siblings from Somerville, NJ, share their journey in dealing with opioid addiction, recovery, and advocating for people to live clean, sober lives. For more information, please visit Not an Easy Fix and 4TheYoungerMe.
Help is available 24/7 at 1-800-622-4357 or https://findtreatment.gov/
Alcohol Awareness Month
By Shani Edwards-Zimmerman, MA, Clinical Case Manager I - AOTS/IOC Program, Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and a perfect time to increase awareness and understanding of the Nation’s #1 health problem. Let’s take some time and reflect on drinking habits and the role alcohol plays in our lives.
Alcohol Use Disorder, or AUD, affects 15 million adults, and more than 88,000 people die annually from alcohol-related causes. AUD is a medical diagnosis that ranges from moderate to severe. Criteria includes:
Continuing to drink despite the problems it has caused in important relationships;
Forgoing activities that were once enjoyable in order to drink;
An increase in risk taking behaviors; and
Memory blackouts.
Mental health professionals may use alcohol screening tools like the AUDIT, a 10-item screening tool which identifies unhealthy alcohol use, or the CAGE Questionnaire, a four-question screening tool that is used to diagnose AUD. Other screening resources for identifying alcohol use disorder are located at https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/Tools/ .
Identifying alcohol use disorders is particularly important because it removes stigma, shame, misunderstanding and, most importantly, barriers to treatment and recovery. The most important step in treating alcohol use disorder is making help available to those who need it.
Though alcohol-related accidents are currently the third leading cause of preventable deaths in the US, underage drinkers are at a disproportionate disadvantage when considering the damage alcohol dependence can cause. Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among young people in the US; more than 5,000 youths die each year due to drinking. Some of the problems caused by underage drinking are:
Problems at school, such as absences, lower grades, fighting, lack of participation in youth activities;
Legal problems, such as fighting, arrests or drunk-driving;
Physical and sexual violence;
Unwanted, unplanned and unprotected sexual activity;
Memory problems and changes in brain development that may have life-long effects; and
Alcohol poisoning.
Research indicates a strong correlation between youth and adult drinking. During the month of April, mental health professionals encourage practices aimed at reducing and stopping problematic alcohol use. One recommendation is choosing an alcohol-free weekend, where the intent is to stop drinking from Friday through Monday to gauge whether alcohol use has become problematic. Struggling to manage without drinking for 72-hours may be an indicator of alcohol use disorder; those with alcohol dependence may experience physical withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, nausea, headaches and/or insomnia.
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
Celebrating Women's History Month - March 2023
(L-R: Commissioner Melanie Marano, Rheanah Johnson, Stacy Toolan, Shweta Dixit, Commissioner Sara Sooy, Administrator Colleen Mahr)
March was Women’s History Month and the Somerset County Administrator’s office introduced a program to award and honor some of the outstanding women that work with Somerset County. The inaugural honorees were Stacy Toolan, from the Department of Health, who won the Leadership Award; Shweta Dixit, from Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center, who won the Mentorship Award; and Rheanah Johnson, from the Office of Operations and Planning, who won the Rising Star Award. All three were invited and recognized at the International Women’s Day Luncheon on March 8, which is hosted by the Somerset County Business Partnership. Additionally, they were each presented with a beautiful award at the Commissioner’s meeting on March 28. Thank you to Rheanah, Shweta, and Stacy for all of their contributions and for inspiring and uplifting the women of Somerset County!
The Food Bank Network of Somerset County Holds its Ribbon Cutting
The Food Bank Network of Somerset County, Directed by Steve Katz, held its ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of their new location. The evening included a tour of the facility, hors d’oeuvre’s, and a chance to meet the incredible staff at the Food Bank Network. For more information on the Food Bank, please visit https://www.somersetfoodbank.org/ or call 732-560-1813.
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
Case Manager
Full time case manager position in the Spirit program responsible for providing case management needs for clients enrolled in the program. Work within a team approach with overall coordination of basic needs, some transportation is required. Position is 35 hours a week with excellent benefits and a sign on bonus of $2,500. Position requires a Bachelor’s degree with community resource experience. Send resumes to stepper@ccdom.org; visit ccdom.org for more information.
Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center
Licensed Substance Use Counselors
Assess, diagnose and provide counseling to individuals and families affected by co-occurring substance use/mental health challenges. Some evening hours required. Requirements: Master’s degree in social work, counseling or equivalent from an accredited graduate program. NJ Clinical License in good standing required with LCADC preferred.
https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/1345/2372?npage=2
Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner
Provides individual, family, and group therapy. Some evening hours required. Requirements: Master’s degree from an accredited graduate program. NJ Clinical License in good standing (LCSW, LPC, LMFT) required. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/1075/2372
Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center
Clinical Supervisor
Provide clinical and administrative supervision to Licensed Mental Health Practitioners, student interns/externs and those staff assigned to their unit. Requirements: Master’s degree in social work, counseling or equivalent; NJ Clinical License in good standing (LCSW, LPC, LMFT); 5+ years post-masters experience in direct clinical practice with 2+ years supervisory experience. Certification as a clinical supervisor in your discipline.
https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/1561/2372
https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/757/2372
Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center
Case Manager (PT)
Deliver services within the Touchstone program including group and pre-vocational skills, address life domains such as housing, finances, transportation and legal, provide linkage and/or assistance with navigating multiple social service and health systems. Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling or a related human service field; Experience working with adults with severe mental illness; Must possess a valid NJ driver’s license in good standing.
https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/961/2372
Township of Franklin
Youth Center Social Service Manager
• Assess and recommend the social service needs of the Youth Center.
• Coordinate youth and family engagement activities to build positive relationships and provide development resources.
• Counsel youth identified as at-risk. Assists youth with addressing barriers that hinder their successes.
• Excellent analytical thinking, judgment, and decision-making skills.
• Must possess strong, high-quality leadership and organizational skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
https://www.franklintwpnj.org/Home/Components/JobPosts/Job/483/1129?npage=2
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