“The Complexity of Sustaining Public Entitlements: Infrastructure, Technology and Human Service Delivery”

“SSA relies on its IT infrastructure to serve the public and safeguard SSA programs. However, its significantly aging IT infrastructure is increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain, and it is harder to integrate new technologies and security tools with some legacy systems. SSA continues relying on outdated applications and technologies to process its core workloads (for example, retirement, and disability claims), and knowledge of its dated applications and legacy infrastructure will diminish as developers retire.”

--Office of the Inspector General, 2022

“The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the crumbing nature of New Jersey’s technology infrastructure, beginning with the Labor Department’s inability to process a torrent of unemployment claims when businesses were forced to shutter in March 2020.”

--NJ Monitor, 2021

Now that I’ve become a “full senior” (I’m at an age where there is no getting around this) I now have firsthand knowledge of how antiquated our entitlement software really is. I’d heard stories about making appointments to visit Social Security/Medicare, but the absurdity of the “appointment” story was born out and on full display when I was there recently.

I was reminded of the central theme of Joseph Heller’s 1961 novel Catch-22 (later a film, and a book I believe I’ve referenced before.) A catch-22, a term invented by Heller, is defined on Wikipedia as a “paradoxical situation from which an individual cannot escape because of contradictory rules or limitations. Catch-22s often result from rules, regulations, or procedures that an individual is subject to, but has no control over, because to fight the rule is to accept it. Another example is a situation in which someone needs something that can only be had by not being in need of it (e.g. the only way to qualify for a loan is to prove to the bank that you do not need a loan).” One of the characters (Major Major) is known for only giving office appointments when he isn’t in the office- everyone is happy to get an appointment- but it proves useless since no one is present to host it.

To make an appointment at a local Social Security office one is instructed to call the central Social Security number (1-800-772-1213) which for our region appears to be in Manhattan.  After 90 minutes on hold, a very pleasant woman answered and after clarifying my ask informed me that an “appointment grid” was visible to regional offices like hers and that she would tell me what was available at our local (Bridgewater, in this case) office.

For the next few moments, I heard her say “oh---oh” and then “hmm” and when she came back on the line she said, “they only let us see the next 20 days and I’m sorry to tell you that there are no available appointments.”  I asked her what she advised- and she then said – in a hushed tone- “you might want to get there very early and just wait until you’re seen.”  I thanked her, made a mental note that this was, apparently, the only strategy available, and picked a day that my wife and I would do exactly that. 

We arrived and were greeted by a very calm and gentle security guard (the only staffer in the waiting area) who directed us to a kiosk where we had to enter a series of questions and enter our social security numbers whereupon the machine spit out a numbered ticket (e.g. the kind you get in a deli or fish market).  A tv screen displayed the ticket numbers as appointments were available to see one of the two or three staffers sitting in an adjacent area.  In all, for us, it was about a 2-hour wait.  Within that 2-hour period, on at least 3 occasions, someone came into the waiting room holding an appointment email, with a confirmed time they had managed to receive when they called the central number.  They were informed by the guard that although they believed they had been given a “confirmed” appointment time, the reality was that they still had to go to the kiosk, get the “deli” ticket and wait, just like everyone else.  A Catch-22.  The reactions ranged from incredulous annoyance to fury.  The gracious guard said: “I know it’s very frustrating- it’s mostly a staffing issue- we just don’t have the number of staff in we thought we would” (as best I could ascertain they appeared to be at 50% staffing).

Let me be clear here: the staff – to a person- were competent, cordial and understanding.  I was quite impressed with their ability to cope with what must be an everyday wave of folks they don’t have the capacity to help in a timely fashion.  And, of course, this was perhaps a one-time visit for us.  For the folks who need to make regular visits (those on SSD or SSI or whose situation changes on a frequent basis, or who don’t have a car and need to use other means to get there), this must feel overwhelming and maddening.  In the tale I’ve just told, limited software capacity was part of the issue – the rest was a lack of staff available to interface with both the computer systems and the public.  It is an enmeshed (and partially dysfunctional) relationship between tech and humans that will only worsen over time if we don’t bite the bullet and do the work necessary to fix it.

As I write this, parts of the Children’s System of Care in NJ are in the middle of a computer crisis, resulting in additional hardships for both clients and care providers and stories like the one I’ve just talked about (during our visit to Social Security) are all too frequent.  In the realm of human service programs that process and work with large numbers of people this is truly unacceptable, so why does it persist?

As problematic as it is, many of the large computer networks and systems (both hardware and software) used at a federal or state level are decades old, receiving repairs or upgrades only as they can no longer be made minimally functional.  The analogy that comes to mind for me is the relationship between large power and energy companies and roadside tree maintenance.  Although it is obvious to end users (and to the power companies themselves) that falling trees do most of the damage that causes power outages a calculus has clearly been applied here- one that concludes that it is cheaper to “kick the can down the road” and only clean up fallen tree damage rather than spend significant capital to do major preventative work.  Were it not for yearly healthy profit margins made by many of these corporations I’d be more sympathetic to their cost benefit/ratio strategy.

When we send our human services staff to work each day without the tools they need to do their jobs well we cheat both them and the members of the public we seek to serve. Yes, the job may be “doable” (if we rely on the grace, understanding and empathy of our workers to deal with ongoing frustration and “Catch-22” motifs) but would we send a batter up to the plate with half a bat and expect them to hit the ball with any consistency? 

I guess the real question at the heart of this piece is an age old one- “how much is it worth to you?”  We would agree, I think, that the notion that “you get what you pay for” is generally true.  As a society (and this is not an easy issue to resolve) I guess we haven’t really decided “how much it’s worth.”  Much as with the ability to sustain the fund for Social Security benefits it’s a decision we must make, and soon.  These aren’t falling trees we’re talking about, it’s us.

Press Release from the Franklin Food Bank

The Franklin Food Bank Receives $1 Million Gift From the Yield Giving Open Call

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Allie O’Brien Aobrien@ftfb.us 732-216-3322

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY, March 19, 2024 – Today, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving announced the Franklin Food Bank as one of the Yield Giving Open Call’s awardees working with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States. The Franklin Food Bank received $1 million.

The Franklin Food Bank serves the food needs of the local community in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. Recently, in the face of growing demand and in light of overwhelming evidence that it takes more than food to solve hunger, the FFB launched wraparound services including mobile health screenings, navigation for social services, and nutrition classes on top of its current and robust food assistance programming. These additional services are performed onsite at the FFB and made possible through strategic partnerships with a small number of organizations. When combined all together, the thoughtful programming of the FFB is designed to help neighbors establish and maintain self-sufficiency.

In March 2023, Yield Giving launched an Open Call for community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources.

Franklin Food Bank’s Executive Director Derek Smith states, “There are so many individuals and groups out there doing incredible work to serve the most underserved among us. We’re both humbled and inspired by their efforts, so…for the Franklin Food Bank to be recognized by Yield Giving as one of the impactful organizations doing transformative work in the food security space, that really means the world to us. We wake up each and every day, committed to serving our neighbors in need, and we’re so grateful for the many volunteers, partners, and supporters that dedicate the hard and heart work to our mission. One love.”

The Open Call received 6,353 applications and initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each. In the Fall of 2023, organizations top-rated by their peers advanced to a second round of review by an external Evaluation Panel recruited for experience relevant to this cause, and underwent a final round of due diligence. In light of the incredible work of these organizations, as judged by their peers and external panelists, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount.

"We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations," said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. "In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.”

More information on the Yield Giving Open Call and other initiatives can be found at www.leverforchange.org.

Visit www.franklinfoodbank.org for more information on how to get involved.

###

Yield Giving

Established by MacKenzie Scott to share a financial fortune created through the effort of countless people, Yield Giving is named after a belief in adding value by giving up control. To date, Yield’s network of staff and advisors has yielded over $16,500,000,000 to 1,900+ non-profit teams to use as they see fit for the benefit of others. To learn more, visit www.yieldgiving.com.

Lever for Change

Lever for Change connects donors with bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized challenges and other tailored funding opportunities. Top-ranked teams and challenge finalists become members of the Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps secure additional funding, amplify members’ impact, and accelerate social change. Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change has influenced over $1.7 billion in grants to date and provided support to more than 145 organizations. To learn more, visit www.leverforchange.org.

Why Somerset County Needs More Affordable Housing

Submitted by the 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 2023 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 $36.87 per hour.  The report goes on to mention that in NJ, one person must work 95 hours per week at minimum wage to afford a 2-bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,742.  This number is even higher in Somerset County, where the FMR for the same unit is $1,917.  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 March 2024 found that the average rent listed for a 2-bedroom apartment in the southern portion of Somerset County is $2,703. This figure is based on listings for 154 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 gross 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.careeronestop.org average salaries from March 2024 for the Somerville area and budgeting 30% of income for housing costs, an Emergency Medical Technician with an annual salary of $46,570 has a housing allowance of $1,164 per month and a Childcare Worker with an annual salary of $34,910 has a housing allowance of $873 per month.  Where can they afford to live?  How about a Social Service Assistant with an annual salary of $44,210 and a housing allowance of $1,105 per month or a Home Health Aide with an annual salary of $34,250 and a housing wage of $856?  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 so they can pay their rent.  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 foster 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 177 listings for 1-bedroom apartments in the southern portion of Somerset County.  The average rent from the listings was $2,098 a month.  This also means there is a corresponding average security deposit of $3,147.  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 Hillsborough, Montgomery, 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.

On Monday, March 25, 2024, the Office of Volunteer Services piloted the Handyman Cadet Program.  Five Students and a couple of teachers came out on the sunny but windy day. The skills of the students and the maturity that they handled themselves was impressive. They were a great help in building new structures to store the wood (and moving a lot of lumber into the new units). They also built a few new ramp modules. Our HandyHero team were wonderful mentors to the students. I think all who attended would call the day a great success.  Please see some of the pictures from the day above!

CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER (CJHRC)

APRIL IS NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH & SOMERSET COUNTY HOUSING MONTH

The Somerset County Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed April 2024 as Housing Month in the County.  Fair Housing plays a crucial role in prohibiting housing discrimination both for rentals or for those trying to purchase housing and this year the Fair Housing Act is celebrating 56 years of passage.  There are various events taking place throughout Somerset County  as well as helpful resources provided by numerous government, non-profit and other entities benefitting the residents.  Click the link to view the April 2024 calendar and we encourage the public to participate in the activities and share the resources.  Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (cjhrc.org)

FREE HOUSING/FINANCIAL PROGRAMS TO REGISTER FOR

Fair Housing Webinar    April 10, 2024 (From 2:00 pm-3:15 pm)

CJHRC is focused on providing information to ensure everyone knows their rights under The Fair Housing Act.  This year the program will also cover the new “Source of Income (SOI) discrimination for families with Housing Choice Vouchers.  No one should refuse to rent to current or prospective qualified tenants that have vouchers. There is a new “Source of Income Protections” website that will also be part of this webinar. Click the link below to register and learn your rights.

https://link.edgepilot.com/s/fd998c75/DFgEntFiakqRJLI4qO-Tbg?u=https://cjhrc.org/images/April_10_2024_Fair_Housing_Flyer.pdf

2-Day Virtual Homebuyer Virtual Webinar   April 15 & April 17, 2024 (from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm)—must attend both days.

Purchasing a home ---from applying and learning options to getting to the closing table is often a long, stressful and emotional journey   This 2-day FREE webinar often results in participants learning the process and feeling better about the steps involved in buying a home.  Participants can receive a certificate after completing all requirement which is also beneficial.  A pre-purchase certificate is often a requirement that many mortgage lenders want in order for homebuyers to get reduced rate mortgages or to qualify for down payment and closing cost assistance grants.

Click this link to register :Virtual Homebuyer Webinar (you must register for both days separately)

If the webinar is not convenient, CJHRC also offers FREE pre-purchase counseling either with individual counseling or a combination of counseling and web based program (all for FREE).  Contact a Counselor at 908-446-0036 for more details.

Virtual Renter Info & Resources Webinar   April 29, 2024 (from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm)

Existing and potential renters -- This webinar covers the importance of budgeting, credit and how that affects you attaining a rental unit, rental lease, security deposit, co-signors, tenant and landlord responsibilities and much more.  All attendees will be offered an opportunity to have a FREE tri-merge soft pull credit report after signing an authorization form.  Click the link to register:  April_29_2024_Renter_Info__Resources_flyer.pdf (cjhrc.org)

CJHRC’s Saving Match Program. CJHRC is currently accepting applications for this in-depth financial literacy program. Click the link for details: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/1a0242bc/kYw1NkyZaUe8lpyBSd4EFw?u=https://cjhrc.org/images/Savings_Match_Application.pdf

The following types of applications will be considered:

1 bedroom Low

2 bedroom Low

2 Bedroom Moderate

Applicants must meet age (55+) & income requirements.

Those interested in applying for our waiting list should contact parace@wgapts.com or call the property at (908) 252-0005.  If an application needs to be faxed, please have them use: 908-842-8565.  The property’s website is: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/d2c5e238/m1jbeDHaNkyRoIzgep6trQ?u=https://www.waltersgroupapartments.com/communities/affordable-senior/cornerstone-at-branchburg/ .

Right at Home - In Home Care & Assistance - Hillsborough, NJ

NJ CHHHA Live-in

Description:

Shifts: First Shift-Day

Pay: $15.13 - $17/hour

Chick here to Apply

Home Care | Senior Care | Somerset | Hunterdon, NJ | Right at Home

Right at Home - In Home Care & Assistance - Hillsborough, NJ

NJ CHHHA

Description:

Shifts: First Shift-Day

Pay: $16 - $20/hour

Chick here to Apply

Home Care | Senior Care | Somerset | Hunterdon, NJ | Right at Home

Right at Home - In Home Care & Assistance - Hillsborough, NJ

NJ CHHHA Part-time

Description:

Shifts: First Shift-Day

Pay: $16 - $20/hour

Chick here to Apply

Home Care | Senior Care | Somerset | Hunterdon, NJ | Right at Home

Right at Home - In Home Care & Assistance - Hillsborough, NJ

Home Care Nurse Supervisor

Description:

Shifts: First Shift-Day

Pay: $40 - $45/hour

Chick here to Apply

Home Care | Senior Care | Somerset | Hunterdon, NJ | Right at Home

Power Container Corp. - Somerset, NJ

Machine Operator

Description:

Training : Training Provided

Salary : $17.00 - $20.00 hourly

Duration : Full Time Regular

Shift : Rotating- 7:00 pm - 07:00 am shift with every other weekend off.

Hours per week: 40

Chick here to Apply

Power Container Corp. - Somerset, NJ

Injection Blow Molding Technician

Description:

Salary : $20.00 - $24.00 hourly

Duration: Full Time Regular

Shift: Rotating- 7:00 pm - 07:00 am shift with every other weekend off.

Hours per week: 40

Chick here to Apply