Leadership from Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Community Through Services) – a public-private partnership launched by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners in 2018 – recently announced a new initiative to bring human service resources directly to the residents of Monmouth County.

Called “Monmouth ACTS in My Community,” this program embeds representatives from the Department of Human Services’ Division of Social Services (DSS) directly at trusted community partners throughout Monmouth County at designated days and times. This initiative allows Monmouth County residents the ability to access support and assistance more easily from DSS employees and learn about programs and County resources, as well as complete applications for SNAP, NJ Family Care, cash assistance programs, and more.  

“‘Monmouth ACTS in My Community’ was created to better serve all Monmouth County residents, allowing our dedicated and knowledgeable County representatives to directly engage with and assist residents by being present in their communities,” said Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We continue to look for ways to connect our residents to the services they need, when and where they need them.”

Beginning this fall, Monmouth County residents can connect with a DSS representative at community partner offices according to the schedule below:

• 180 Turning Lives Around Family Justice Center, Freehold: Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Bayshore Family Success Center, Leonardo: First and third Fridays only from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• CASA Freehold: Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Coastal Communities Family Success Center, Long Branch: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Community Affairs Resource Center, Asbury Park: Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Emergency Housing Advocacy Program, Freehold: First and third Wednesdays only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Hackensack Meridian Health Outpatient Behavioral Health: Second Monday of the month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the location alternates between JSUMC Outpatient Behavioral in Neptune and RMC Booker Behavioral Health Center in Shrewsbury; see website for complete schedule)
• Interfaith Neighbors Launch Center, Asbury Park: Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Mental Health Association of Monmouth County Red Bank Resource Center, Red Bank: Tuesdays & Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monmouth County Department of Health, Freehold: Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Project Paul, Keansburg: Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Workforce Development, Neptune: Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This initiative removes the hardship of traveling to County offices, making it much easier for Monmouth County residents to get assistance,” said Commissioner Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Department of Human Services. “When residents visit any of our community partners at these designated times, they will have access to a qualified DSS representative who can listen to their needs and connect them with helpful services and programs.”

The locations included in “Monmouth ACTS in My Community” are part of a planned phased launch, with additional outpost dates scheduled to begin throughout the fall, culminating in a planned 25 locations.

As they interact with residents, DSS employees will also be gathering basic information about common needs, in order to identify trends, gaps and barriers to access, and adapt or enhance outreach efforts.

The Department of Human Services’ goal to get out in the local communities to help reduce barriers to access. While this initiative is beginning with DSS staff, the long-term goal is to outpost staff in other departments and divisions as well, so more Monmouth County residents can receive the tools they need to be successful.

For more information on “Monmouth ACTS in My Community,” visit: https://monmouthacts.org/in-my-community/.

About Monmouth ACTS
Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Community Through Services) was created by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners in 2018 to carry out recommendations of a Human Services Needs Assessment. This innovative public-private partnership brings together County divisions from the Department of Human Services and community partners on the Monmouth ACTS Advisory Council (MAAC) to enhance access to services for County residents. For more information, visit www.monmouthACTS.org.