26 Jul 2021

Monmouth ACTS Celebrates Breastfeeding Awareness Month with Events for Families

News Releases
“If breastfeeding did not already exist, someone who invented it today would deserve a dual Nobel Prize in medicine and economics” ~ Keith Hansen, World Bank (2016) FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Community Through Services), a public-private partnership initiated by the Monmouth County Commissioners to better serve residents, will celebrate World and National Breastfeeding Awareness Month in August by sponsoring several events for families to increase awareness of the importance and benefits of breastfeeding. “According to La Leche League, breastfeeding is an instinctual and natural act, but it is also an art that is learned day by day,” says…
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20 Jul 2021

Not One Person Turned Away at Warming Centers During 2021 “Code Blue” Season

ACTs in Action, News Releases
FREEHOLD, NJ – Winter 2021 brought some seriously cold days that turned into bitterly cold nights. While most people were hunkered down safe and warm in their homes, there were others in the community who were not as fortunate. However, no one was turned away from much-needed shelter this past winter season through the collaborative efforts of Monmouth County Office of OEM, MCDSS, the Homeless Systems Collaborative, the Office of Planning and Contracting, Monmouth ACTS and various other community agencies. One place that was instrumental in housing the homeless during any “Code Blue” weather was Pilgrim Baptist Church of Red…
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18 May 2021

Monmouth ACTS Financial Recovery Initiative Connects Residents to County Resources

News Releases
FREEHOLD, NJ – The  COVID-19 pandemic has caused additional pressure for families facing challenges with employment, childcare, housing and more – many of whom are dealing with these challenges for the first time. Monmouth County residents who are feeling the financial strain are encouraged to turn to the Monmouth ACTS Financial Recovery Initiative (FRI) for help. Launched last year by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, FRI is part of Monmouth ACTS, a unique public/private partnership that brings together county employees and community partners, and the work of its existing Financial Empowerment Hub which provides financial guidance and support.…
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21 Apr 2021

County Organizations Join Forces to Cultivate Funding for Childcare During Pandemic

ACTs in Action, News Releases
FREEHOLD, NJ – Flashback to March 2020 when a full shutdown was mandated due to the pandemic. LADACIN Network’s Give and Take Childcare was scrambling to figure out how its teaching staff could continue to support families even though they could no longer be together physically. The nonprofit provides support and services for individuals with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities, in addition to an integrated child care center which serves typically developing children and children with special needs.  Due to decreased enrollment and COVID related costs, revenues were impacted and staff retention was paramount in order to re-open.  LADACIN’s Executive…
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30 Mar 2021

Monmouth County’s First Virtual Youth Town Hall on Racial Justice Sparks a Conversation for Teens

ACTs in Action, News Releases
FREEHOLD, NJ - Thought-provoking discussions about racial justice and inequity are taking place around the nation, and here in Monmouth County. Monmouth ACTS 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 virtual town hall event for young…
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26 Jan 2021

RAINE Foundation Hosts Diaper Drive to Support Moms and Children in Need During COVID-19 Pandemic

ACTs in Action, News Releases
Hiral Patel and Alicia Maresco of Bayshore Family Success Center in Middletown accept donations of diapers and wipes for Monmouth County mothers in need from Lisa Auletta of the RAINE Foundation. FREEHOLD, NJ – 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 Commissioner Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley recently learned of an unforeseen need amongst 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…
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03 Dec 2020

Behavioral Health Hub Extends Reach of Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis

ACTs in Action, News Releases
FREEHOLD, NJ – 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…
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22 Oct 2020

County Organizations Join Forces to Foster Connection Among Youth in Need Amidst Pandemic

ACTs in Action, News Releases
Mentors and mentees connected though Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern NJ (BBBSCNNJ). FREEHOLD, NJ – When the COVID-19 pandemic struck New Jersey, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern NJ (BBBSCNNJ)  suddenly had to plan for ways to provide services to families and kids in an increasingly virtual world. BBBSCNNJ Program Manager Brendan Ward acted by tapping into the Monmouth ACTS network. BBBSCNNJ provides a community-based program that features 1:1 mentoring for youth ages 6-15, as well as workplace, college and school-based mentoring programs for students up to age 18. Kids are matched with members of…
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01 Oct 2020

Freeholders provide COVID-19 updates, announce Financial Recovery Initiative

News Releases
FREEHOLD, NJ – On behalf of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone and Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley provided updates on COVID-19 and announced the launch of the Monmouth ACTS Financial Recovery Initiative (FRI) at a press conference held today. “To date, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in Monmouth County since March is 11,915,” said Freeholder Director Arnone. “Monmouth County COVID cases have recently increased in young adults who are experiencing mild symptoms.” Freeholder Director Arnone also gave an update about the Monmouth County CARES Economic Assistance Grant Program.  “We have…
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01 Jul 2020

Monmouth ACTS Launches Financial Recovery Initiative

News Releases
Task Force Members Announced Today, 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. Recognizing that the financial impact of the pandemic was going to be devastating to businesses and residents throughout the 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 Director Arnone tasked Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M.…
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