Community Partners

At its core, Monmouth ACTS is a partnership. Read on to meet our County government and community partners.

Monmouth County Department of Human Services

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners established the Monmouth County Department of Human Services (MCDHS) in 1987. It reflects the Commissioners’ long-standing commitment to address the needs of our most vulnerable citizens, and those who may be struggling with an unexpected event that has left them unsure of where to turn.

MCDHS’ mission is to enhance the quality of life for people in Monmouth County through the planning, purchasing and delivery of human services by highly effective employees in partnership with public and private organizations. More than 140,000 Monmouth County residents receive one or more services from MCDHS each year.

Monmouth ACTS Advisory Council

The Monmouth ACTS Advisory Council (MAAC) represents a number of nonprofit organizations whose goals are to assist County residents in meeting a broad array of human service needs relating to mental health, disabilities, addiction, aging, housing, childcare, food insufficiency, transportation and more.

Behaviorial Health Hub Co-Chairs

Wendy DePedro, Mental Health Assoc. of Monmouth County
Lynn Seaward, RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery
Desiree Whyte, Monmouth County Department of Human Services

Early Childhood Success Hub Co-Chairs

Colleen Nelson, VNA Health Group
Kim Perrelli, Child Care Resources
Dr. Lester Richens, Monmouth County Superintendent of Schools

Financial Empowerment Hub Co-Chairs

Peter D. Boynton, Affordable Housing Alliance
Lori-Anne McLane, United Way of Monmouth & Ocean Counties
Larry Sternbach, Monmouth County Division of Workforce Development

Housing & Homelessness Hub Co-Chairs

Tim Hearne
Kathy Weir, Monmouth County Continuum of Care

Positive Youth Development Hub Co-Chair

Brendan Ward, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern NJ

Successful Aging Hub Co-Chair

Randy Bishop, Neptune Township Department of Senior Services and Senior Center

Transportation Hub Co-Chairs

Patricia Carlesimo, LADACIN Network
Joseph Annecharico, County of Monmouth

Communication Team Co-Chairs

Joseph Annecharico, County of Monmouth
Kathy Collins, MonmouthCares

Pat Bohse, Bohse & Associates LLC

Sara Burrill, Brookdale Community College

Tony Comerford, Ph.D., New Hope-IBHC, Inc.

Paul Dement, Monmouth University

Anna Diaz-White, 180 Turning Lives Around

Mary A. Ditri, New Jersey Hospital Association

Thomas F. Hayes, New Jersey Natural Gas

Steve Heisman, HABcore, Inc.

Gwendolyn O. Love, Lunch Break

Rev. Dr. Patricia S. Medley, Freehold Clergy Association

Beatriz Oesterheld, Community Affairs & Resource Center (CARC)

Rev. Robert Pierce, I Beseech Thee Development Corp.

Pastor Terrence K. Porter, Pilgrim Baptist Church of Red Bank

Dr. Lester W. Richens, Monmouth County Office of Education

Marlene Ryan

Louis Schwarcz, Family and Children’s Service

Marta Silverberg, Monmouth Family Health Center

Rev. Ronald L. Sparks, Bethel AME Church

Arlene Spiegler

Dr. Anita Voogt, Brookdale Community College

Alicia F. Williams, South Jersey Legal Services

Ex-Officio, Non-Voting Members:

Karen Asay, Division of Child Protection & Permanency

Ellen Cohen, Office of Youth Services Planning

Judith Green, Division of Child Protection & Permanency

Christopher Merkel, Monmouth County Department of Health

Lorraine Scheibener, Monmouth County Division of Social Services

Nelson Troche, State of New Jersey Department of Human Services

Residents can find any of these organizations, and the many more that provide helpful services and programs, at the MonmouthResourceNet.

If you are interested in becoming involved with one of the Monmouth ACTS Hubs, feel free to reach out to any of the co-chairs by clicking on their names.