View the entire newsletter for more articles: 2022 – NJAC County Biz – October
by Teri O’Connor, Monmouth County Administrator & NJAC President
It’s not common practice for county government and community stakeholders to come to the table to identify issues in their service network, and create and implement solutions for powerful collective impact.
But Monmouth County Government is changing the status quo.
No longer siloed, Monmouth County government departments and community organizations are working cooperatively with a simple goal: serving residents better, together.
Monmouth ACTS is Formed
In 2016, Monmouth County engaged JANUS Solutions to conduct a Human Services Needs Assessment. This undertaking would provide a critically needed look at current strengths, needs, aspirations, service gaps and resources. It would offer a roadmap for improvement to serve all County residents more effectively now and in the future.
After gathering input from over 1,100 residents and drawing upon extensive data, key findings were uncovered:
- Monmouth County has an increasing immigrant population, with many residents speaking a language other than English
- Residents are aging at a rate greater than the rest of the state and country
- Nearly 10% of residents faced food insecurity
- Social isolation was prevalent among many young single mothers and seniors
- Many other issues, including suicide rates, education levels and household income
It was clear that more work needed to be done to help residents take advantage of Human Services. As a result, the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners initiated Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Community Through Services) in 2018 – a public-private partnership that brings together employees from the Department of Human Services and community partners via the Monmouth ACTS Advisory Council (MAAC). These leaders work collaboratively to connect Monmouth County residents with available services.
The assessment had identified needs clustered around key areas: early childhood success, positive youth development, successful aging, housing & homelessness, transportation, financial empowerment and behavioral health. Monmouth ACTS formed “Hubs,” or work groups, around each of these issues. Each Hub is led by a representative from Monmouth County government and a community leader, and examines identified issues in order to make actionable recommendations for improvement.
Over the years Monmouth ACTS has clear examples of instances when cooperation fostered real change and improved services for residents. A few examples of Monmouth ACTS in Action include:
- The Early Childhood Success Hub identified that 1:1 assistance would better help families with young children find and access the many resources available to them in Monmouth County. A Family Advocate position was formed under the Monmouth County Council for Young Children (CCYC) to act as a friend and guide in helping families with young children connect with important services.
- The Behavioral Health and Positive Youth Development Hubs came together to identify the need for Crisis Child and Family Clinicians – a resource for families and schools who need to support a youth having a mental health crisis. The Clinicians present to families, schools, pediatricians and more on how to intervene and prevent youth from being sent to emergency departments for a mental health crisis.
- Service organizations and Monmouth County government not only spread the word about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), but came together to host several productive in-person information sessions in order to help residents connect with ERAP where they are.
The need to direct residents to services was particularly clear – and urgent – during the pandemic. Monmouth County recognized the financial strain caused by COVID-19 was far-reaching for many residents – some faced financial insecurity for the very first time. Issues included unemployment, affording child care, paying utility bills and transitioning children to virtual or hybrid education. Monmouth ACTS jumped into action in the early weeks of the pandemic, and created the Financial Recovery Initiative (FRI), led by a task force of local community and business leaders. FRI featured a “clearinghouse” for information sharing and access to financial recovery support, and an organized Financial Recovery Network of services ready to assist with workforce training, housing assistance and more. A dedicated “warm line” phone number linked residents to a friendly and compassionate Financial Recovery team member who would assess needs and connect them to services.
Next Steps: The Next Phase of Monmouth ACTS
After an ongoing dialogue with community leaders and residents, it was apparent that the focus of Monmouth ACTS needed to adapt and change. The new phase is laser-focused on resident and community voice. Now, Monmouth ACTS is learning about the distinct needs of each community within Monmouth County.
The first step in making this new phase a reality was a reorganization of the Monmouth County Department of Human Services, in support of Monmouth ACTS. The new iteration establishes guiding values that will inform all phases of service planning, implementation and evaluation, including:
- Consistent resident and community voice in every step of the process
- Focus on family supports and prevention
- Building systems and responses which promote racial and ethnic equity
- Assisting communities through organized systems of service
- Building resilient communities utilizing trauma-informed practices
The new phase includes Place-Based Activities, initiatives that bring supports and services to residents in the local community where they live, increasing access and promoting resident wellness and engagement. It also introduces the Community Engagement Network (CEN), a strategic grassroots approach that will facilitate outreach and engagement through a network of community and faith-based organizations.
Finally, Monmouth ACTS will launch a county-wide “warm” phone line: Based off the successful FRI warm line, residents can speak to a human services team member who can assess their needs and direct them to the best resources. Plans are underway to onboard care management navigators, who will coordinate care for residents with complex and multiple needs.
“Throughout the years as Monmouth ACTS has grown, we’ve come to realize there is no wrong door from which to access human services in Monmouth County,” says Monmouth County Commissioner Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Department of Human Services. “This new iteration of Monmouth ACTS builds upon and reinforces our commitment to streamlining the process for residents to learn about and connect with vital supports.”
For more information, visit www.monmouthACTS.org.