Freeholder Chairperson: Kenneth Armwood
Office Director: Melyssa Lewis

 

Welcome to the Middlesex County Office of Human Services

As the newly appointed Director for the Office of Human Services by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders I would like to introduce myself.  Prior to accepting this position I served as the Director for the Middlesex County Office of Aging and Disabled Services.  I was part of the management team in that Office for about 16 years, in a variety of roles from direct service, contract monitoring and compliance to administration.  In addition, I bring with me experience working in strategic planning and program development in the addictions and behavioral health field.  I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from Rutgers University and a Masters of Public Health Degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.  I consider it a great honor to be able to serve in the position of Director of the Office of Human Services, and look forward to working with the myriad of agencies, advocates and community representatives active in the Human Services network of Middlesex County.

Sincerely,
Melyssa Lewis

 

 

Effective July 1, 2011, the former Middlesex County Department of Human Services was designated as the Office of Human Services within the Department of Community Services.  Gerry Mackenzie has been appointed as Department Head managing seven varied offices.  This change is part of a countywide reorganization.  Following are the divisions of the new office and contact information for each:
                                                                      

Office of Human Services
Melyssa Lewis, Director	732-745-4186
Division of Addictions and Mental Health Planning
Lori Dillon, Division Head	732-745-4518
Penny Grande, Mental Health Administrator	732-745-4313
Division of Children’s Services
Wanda Dillon, Division Head	732-246-5640
Division of Housing, Community Development & Social Services
Paul Buckley, Division Head	732-745-3950
Bridget Kennedy, Manager Social Services	732-745-4228
Melissa Bellamy, Manager, Exec.Director PHA, 1st Time Home Buyers and HOME	732-745-2922

The individual OHS Division website pages are regularly updated so come back and visit often.  Please call the Office of Human Services at 732-745-4186 for additional details.

We are seeking new members for our Middlesex County Mental Health Board.  If you think you might be interested click on the green tab on the top left side of this page to find a Board Membership application.

Effective August 1, 2012, Middlesex County Information and Referral services as well as the operation of the Middlesex County Homeless Hotline will be provided by the NJ 211 Partnership.  The NJ 211 Partnership has been providing information and referral services for the entire state of New Jersey for the past seven years with support from the United Ways of New Jersey.  By dialing 211 or clicking nj211.org individuals are provided with free and confidential services twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.  The NJ 211 Partnership will direct referrals for needed case management services to Coming Home of Middlesex County, Inc.

 

 

2013 Commission for Child Abuse and Missing Children Funds Available (Adobe PDF)

 

 

To honor May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a Proclamation was presented during the May 2nd Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders Meeting.  Sharon Cartwright and Maureen Brogan accepted the Proclamation on behalf of the Disaster Response Crisis Counselor (DRCC) & NJ Hope & Healing Programs.  Pictured in the photo (from left to right) are Sharon Cartwright, Middlesex County Disaster Response Crisis Counselor (DRCC) and Regional Coordinator, Hope & Healing – Middlesex, Penny Grande, Middlesex County Mental Health Administrator and Maureen Brogan, Middlesex County Disaster Response Crisis Counselor (DRCC) and Team Leader, Hope & Healing – Middlesex. Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, Liaison to the Middlesex County Department of Community Services, Sharon Cartwright, Freeholder Deputy Director Blanquita Valenti and Maureen Brogan.   May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In honor of this, the Middlesex County Office of Human Services – Mental Health Administration, with the support of its Mental Health Board, prepared a Proclamation to acknowledge this month, raise awareness about mental health, and combat the social stigma associated with mental illness that often prevents people from seeking help. This year, in light of the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath, we decided to bring attention to the impact of disasters and other traumatic events on individuals, families and communities. Sharon Cartwright and Maureen Brogan accepted the Proclamation on behalf of the Disaster Response Crisis Counselor (DRCC) and NJ Hope and Healing programs. They briefly highlighted the programs’ activities in response to Hurricane Sandy.   Proclamation Summary - 2013 Middlesex County Office of Human Services ~ Mental Health Administration Proclamation WHEREAS, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health has concluded that mental health is an essential component of overall health and well-being; WHEREAS, mental health challenges are as treatable as many physical illnesses and achieving a state of wellness and recovery is possible; WHEREAS, for more than 50 years, the National Mental Health America has declared  May as, ”Mental Health Awareness Month”, to raise awareness about mental health, combat the social stigma associated with mental illness that often prevents people from seeking help, and promote the principles of wellness and recovery;   WHEREAS, consumers, families, mental health providers and advocates together endorse a recovery-oriented system of care which enables persons with mental illness to live, work, learn and participate fully in their communities; WHEREAS, continued dedication is needed to prioritize recovery and resilience awareness, physical wellness, prevention and cultural competency; WHEREAS, increased focus must also be on the impact of disasters and other traumatic events on individuals and communities and how traumatic stress that is unrecognized or unmanaged may affect physical and mental health WHEREAS, individuals affected by traumatic or disaster related stress can reclaim a sense of control and security through early recognition of the signs and by utilizing coping strategies and supports, when needed WHEREAS, the recovery process enables a person to re-establish a sense of integrity, hope and purpose and to live a satisfying, contributory life; WHEREAS, the Middlesex County Mental Health Board meets monthly to improve the quality of life for residents of Middlesex County with a mission of promoting efforts that will enhance the wellness and recovery opportunities of consumers.  The Board advocates for consumer driven community supports, services and best and promising practices throughout the continuum of care and  is dedicated to consumer empowerment, ending stigma, embracing a wellness & recovery approach and educating the community on all aspects of mental health awareness; Now, THEREFORE, in recognition of those individuals and families who are affected by mental illness or trauma and in support of their transition to wellness and recovery; I, Ronald G. Rios, on behalf of the County of Middlesex, proclaim the month of May, 2013 as Mental Health Awareness Month

 

 

 

 

Traumatic Loss Coalition Talking Points: Helping Children Following School Violence (Adobe PDF)

 

 

As part of an ongoing effort to enhance our outreach program to veterans, Veterans Services has set up informational kiosks at area shopping malls.  As always, volunteers from MCVAC and other veterans organizations are needed to help man the kiosks.  Pictured in the photo is Doug Breen, Middlesex County Veterans Service Coordinator and Bob Porter, member of MCVAC at the Woodbridge Mall on September 21st. Please contact Doug at 732-745-4051 for further information.

 

 

 

 

 

URGENT REQUEST FOR ITEMS FOR UNITED STATES MILITARY PERSONNEL When wounded service personnel arrive from the field for medical procedures, often times their uniforms are stripped away or destroyed by invasive procedures, i.e., insertion of tubes, cleaning of burns, wounds, etc. Consequently, personal hygiene items are in short supply. As part of our ongoing personal items drive for deployed troops, the Middlesex County Veterans Advisory Council is requesting donations, which can be dropped off at the receptacle located in the Department of Human Services on the fifth floor in the Middlesex County Administration building.  All items will be delivered to McGuire Airforce Base where they will be issued to troops operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. The PROJECT WOUNDED WARRIOR Donations Coordinator at McGuire Airforce Base has issued an urgent request for the following items: Men’s underwear & tee-shirts, all sizes Women’s undergarments & sports bras, all sizes Bath Towels Toothbrushes Toothpaste, Sensitive Toothpaste Bars of Soap Sani-wipes Hand Sanitizer – for Active Duty operations in Haiti Bug Spray - for Active Duty operations in Haiti Hard Candy - for Active Duty operations in Haiti   For more information, please contact Doug Breen, Veterans Services Coordinator, at 732-745-4051. .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THREE EMPLOYMENT GUIDES FOR CONSUMERS OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Are Now Available from the Division of Behavioral Health & Children's Services • Exploring Possibilities in Recovery (189k pdf) • So You Want to Work (200k pdf) • So You Need Some Training (210k pdf)

 

2ND FLOOR provides anytime anywhere support to New Jersey youth through a toll free, confidential and anonymous youth helpline: 888—222-2228.  2ND FLOOR also offers program brochures, posters, stickers, clickable links and other materials that publicize the program as the place for New Jersey youth to call and talk about their issues, concerns and problems. Call 2ND FLOOR at: 888-222-2228 or e-mail: www.2ndfloor.org.