ACTs in the News

The Monmouth Journal FREEHOLD — Thought-provoking discussions about racial justice and inequity are taking place around the nation, and here in Monmouth County. Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Community Through Services) recently formed a racial equity ad hoc committee tasked with defining how each of its working groups, or Hubs, look at racial equity in the human services provided to Monmouth County residents. Case in point: the Positive Youth Development (PYD) Hub tackled the difficult conversation, and how they could specifically address issues of racial justice for their population of young children. These discussions sparked an idea to host a youth-led, youth-run…

NJ 101.5 The RAINE Foundation, standing for Reaching All In Need Everyday, is expanding its reach throughout Monmouth County, through the county's special program that facilitates access to certain services for its residents. Board of Commissioners Deputy Director Susan Kiley is heavily involved in that initiative, known as Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Community Through Services), but she has a natural connection to the RAINE Foundation as well: Her sister is the founder, and Raine is her maiden name. Kiley also serves on RAINE's board, and was instrumental in enabling a successful diaper drive across the county at the end of 2020.…

Jersey Shore Online The COVID-19 pandemic has led many families to experience not only health problems but financial struggles. With baby and children’s products being costly for expectant and parenting mothers, the Monmouth ACTS’ Early Childhood Success Hub stated how many mothers were having trouble finding diapers, wipes and other supplies for newborns and young children as a result of financial difficulties due to COVID-19. “It was such a specific need, it really struck me,” Monmouth County Commissioner Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley said. “The need was compounded not just by the lack of supplies, but because diapers and wipes…

The Two River Times The annual Point-in-Time Count of New Jersey’s homeless population got underway locally this week with community involvement and outreach programs curtailed due to the impacts of COVID-19. ...Monmouth County Commissioner Susan Kiley said the county is attempting to balance the mandate to carry out the homeless census during the pandemic to assess needs and qualify for federal funds, while not putting participants at risk... According to Kiley, the county created the Monmouth ACTS website, MonmouthACTS.org, to help residents connect to services and to assist local communities. “Basically, it’s a partnership between county government and local entities…

CentralJersey.com The ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been varied and far-reaching – and distress is not always related to health concerns. Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley recently learned of an unforeseen need among the county’s expectant and parenting mothers. On a call for Monmouth ACTS’ Early Childhood Success Hub, Kiley was surprised to learn from leaders of various service organizations that mothers across Monmouth County, particularly expectant young mothers struggling financially due to COVID-19, were having trouble finding diapers, wipes and other supplies for newborns and young children, according to a press…

94.3 The Point It's been a tough year due to the pandemic for everyone for a number of different reasons, including expecting and new moms who are trying to keep up with payments at home and afford the necessities for their babies like diapers and wipes. Monmouth County Commissioner Sue Kiley has been working to help address this issue and saw the recent Diaper Drive to help support moms and children during a great time of need. She oversees the Monmouth ACTS initiative, which helps county residents with a variety of needs. They've released a statement announcing the results of the diaper drive…

TAPinto Hazlet & Keyport [Monmouth County Freeholder Deputy Director Sue Kiley's] responsibilities include liaison to the Human Services Department, the Board of Health, Division of Aging and Disabilities, Division of County Adjuster, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Division of Planning and Contracting for Human Services, Division of Social Services and the Juvenile Detentions Alternatives Initiative Program.  If that is not enough to keep her busy, last year the county rolled out a new program with Kiley at the helm, called Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Communities through Services). The first program of its kind in the county, Monmouth ACTS successfully…

Atlantic Highlands Herald The partnership, called Unhooked, offers training to all Borough of Highlands Police Department police officers, helping them identify people with Substance Use Disorder, and to communicate with them in a positive way that may lead them to seek help. With the partnership, officers can now call upon peer recovery specialists with RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery, like Joan Sciorta, and work with them to engage and connect residents with life-saving treatment. “We’re making personal connections with those suffering from addiction and their families too,” says Sciorta. “So now they have us as a resource for…

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…