Year: 2020

The Monmouth Journal As the opioid crisis rages across the country, services are strained more than ever due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But, thanks to the connections of Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Community Through Services), one grant led to three new programs — and room to grow even further. When the Monmouth County Division of Behavioral Health was offered the chance to submit an innovative grant proposal to the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services addressing the opioid epidemic, Division Director Desiree Whyte knew the opportunity would be the perfect project to bring to Monmouth ACTS’ Behavioral…

NJ 101.5 Community programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters typically rely on schools to clue them in as to which children need particular assistance, what kind and when. But COVID-19 sent those kids home and closed schools in the spring, so BBBS of Coastal & Northern New Jersey had to turn to county offices to find out where they could help. The Monmouth ACTS coalition, short for Assisting Community Through Services, was one such agency BBBSCNNJ could turn to, and did. Monmouth ACTS operates a dedicated Positive Youth Development Hub, which helped mentors connect so effectively to area children…

LegisLEADERS This podcast shares stories, opinions and ideas from men and women who lead in their towns, schools, counties and state. Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley is interviewed about Monmouth ACTS and the new Financial Recovery Initiative. Listen to the podcast episode here.

NJ 101.5 In the first seven months of 2020, even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Monmouth County claimed 111 of New Jersey's 1,834 overdose deaths, a number that local lawmakers believe can be driven down if those in danger are made to feel more comfortable talking about their personal demons. That is the idea behind the new Stigma-Free Monmouth website, launched by the county freeholder board along with the Division of Behavioral Health, which was forged by the combination of the county's mental health and addiction services departments. Deputy Freeholder Director Sue Kiley said she and her colleagues kept hearing from constituents that…

TAPinto Belmar/Lake Como Following last week’s launch of its CARES Economic Assistance Grant program, Monmouth County has approved $1.7 million in funding — with the first round of money already hitting bank accounts of businesses that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic... For individuals in need of emotional support, Monmouth County offers a hotline staffed by licensed behavioral health professionals from Mental Health Association (MHA) of Monmouth County. Call 732-542-6422 to speak with a professional from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or email mha@mentalhealthmonmouth.org. In recent weeks, there have been an increase of calls to the…

Asbury Park Press Free coronavirus testing will be offered at six sites across the county where community leaders say residents have had a hard time accessing COVID-19 tests, under a new partnership between Monmouth County and The Grunin Foundation... Freeholder Sue Kiley also urged county residents to continue simple steps to keep COVID-19 at bay: Stay 6 feet apart and wear masks. She also reminded residents to tap into resources available through Monmouth ACTS that can help them navigate issues associated with the pandemic, such as  unemployment benefits, food, child care and job training.  Read more here.

TAPinto Middletown Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Community Through Services) officially launched the Financial Recovery Initiative to help support the financial needs of Monmouth County residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic... The financial impact of the pandemic has been devastating to businesses and residents throughout Monmouth County.  Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone and the Division of Economic Development initiated efforts to help support businesses of all sizes affected by COVID-19. To ensure the financial needs of Monmouth County residents impacted by the virus are also being met, Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley will head-up the County’s financial recovery effort for residents. “Residents have been hit hard…