Social & Support Programs

To speak to a representative of the Ocean County Board of Social Services regarding these programs, please call (732) 349-1500.

Adult Protective Services Program

This program provides services to vulnerable adults 18 years of age and older, residing in the community, who are the subject of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation, and are unable to protect themselves. Social workers provide assessments, care plans, and work with legal interventions to protect clients.

After-Hours Program

The Agency coordinates payment for placements of adults and families who are experiencing a housing emergency and have been placed by NJ 2-1-1 via the Homeless Hotline. Additionally, the Agency contracts with NJ 2-1-1 to provide an after-hours telephone answering service which notifies the Agency of calls requesting Adult Protective Services in Ocean County outside of Agency business hours. The program is funded by the Ocean County Board of Social Services and the Ocean County Office of Senior Services (Title III B Services to the Elderly).

Alzheimer's & Related Dementias Support Group

There are two monthly support groups for family members, friends, and professionals dealing with people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The groups provide information on current research and, upon the request of participants, provides speakers to discuss various topics.

Respite Care Program

This program is funded by the Office of Senior Services, Older American Act Title III E. The program provides residential maintenance and assistive technology including minor home repairs and modifications, ramp installation, and Personal Emergency Response buttons to adults age 60 and over. Services are provided to eligible adults who have an unpaid caregiver and whose health and safety are threatened because they cannot perform activities of daily living and/or are at risk of institutional placement.

The In-Home Caregiver Education Program is a component of the Respite Care program which provides one-on-one education to enhance caregiver ability and effectiveness. Instruction is provided in the home environment to caregivers of persons over age 60 that have a chronic disability or illness. The caregiver must be an unpaid primary caregiver who either lives with the care recipient or visits regularly to assist with managing life activities. The program may provide up to five visits by professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dieticians, or licensed clinical social workers for counseling. There are no income eligibility guidelines for these programs.

Case Management for the Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC)

The purpose of the JACC Program is to allow elderly persons in need of nursing home level of care to remain in their own homes as long as possible with supportive services provided by the program. Care managers work in collaboration with participants and their families to coordinate and implement services for eligible individuals. The JACC Program is accessed through the Ocean County Office of Senior Services.

Child Support & Paternity - Parent Locator

This program provides services to the general public which include parent location, genetic testing to establish paternity, and modification of child support orders. In addition, the program establishes court orders for child support and medical coverage on behalf of public- and nonpublic- assistance recipients. Court orders for support and medical coverage are established through the Superior Court and are enforced by county probation departments with the assistance of the county sheriff. Children referred by the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency are also eligible for child support services.

Comprehensive Care Management for Seniors (CCMS)

This program provides case management services to Ocean County residents 60 years of age and older without regard to income. Case management services include identifying the needs of the individual, evaluating options and services, and assisting with implementing and coordinating those services. This is a grant program with funding from the Ocean County Office of Senior Services.

Friendship Corner

Located in the Northern Ocean County Resource Center in Lakewood, Friendship Corner is a drop-in center developed to meet the recreational, social, and educational needs of boarding home residents by providing therapeutic recreational programming. It is open Monday through Friday between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Activities include arts and crafts, games, films, exercises, guest speakers, current and cultural events, club meetings, field trips, monthly entertainment, the annual Boarding Home Festival, Holiday party and Thanksgiving dinner.

Holiday Program

Requests are received from concerned individuals, businesses, clergy, and other organizations for the names of individuals and families who would welcome a donated gift or food for their holiday meal. Clients authorize the Board to give their names to donors.

Home Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program

This program assists low-income individuals, families, and the elderly who fall under HUD income guidelines and are in need of housing assistance by providing a rent subsidy for a maximum of 24 months, in addition to receiving case management by an experienced social worker.

Homeless/Homeless Prevention Services

The Board administers a number of time-limited programs to aid persons who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. The Board may provide limited emergency temporary housing. Help may be available from the Agency through a variety of grants and funding streams whether or not persons are receiving public assistance and, in some cases may provide security deposits, back rent or mortgage assistance to prevent eviction or foreclosure. A small number of rent subsidy slots may be available to certain households. Additionally, the Board administers funding to assist those facing eviction due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Other services such as food and transportation are also available. All cases are screened and referred to all other resources. The Homeless Hotline through NJ-2-1-1 provides assistance for emergent housing issues that arise after business hours or when the Board is closed. Funding is limited so assistance is not always available for all programs.

Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS

This program assists low income individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families who fall under HUD income guidelines and are in need of housing assistance by providing a rent subsidy, in addition to receiving case management by an experienced social worker.

OCBSS Responsibility in Rooming and Boarding House Act of 1979

The Board is responsible for coordinating the investigation of all complaints pertaining to rooming and boarding houses, as well as residential health care facilities throughout Ocean County. Allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of residents of these facilities are investigated directly by this department. Outreach to provide information on available services is performed every six months to boarding homes and residential health care facilities and every twelve months to rooming houses as required by the Rooming and Boarding House Act of 1979.

Personal Assistance Services Program

This program provides attendant care services to physically disabled individuals age 18 - 70 years, who have a permanent physical disability, are capable of self-direction and are able to supervise an attendant. Services provided enable disabled adults to be employed, prepare for employment, volunteer, and/or live independently.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

This is a national program administered by AmeriCorps Seniors and is sponsored by the Ocean County Board of Social Services. The purpose of RSVP is to create meaningful volunteer opportunities for individuals aged 55 and over and to help meet identified service needs in the community.

Safe Housing and Transportation Program

The purpose of this program is to provide home repairs necessary to alleviate conditions which are determined to adversely affect the health and safety of county residents age 60 and older. Recommendations on needed home repairs for eligible individuals are made once a home inspection is completed. Additionally, escorted transportation is available to eligible individuals who require safe transportation to attend to their activities of daily living.

Social Services

The Board provides information and referral services to county adults without regard to income. Information and referrals are directed to adults in need of protective services, transportation, home repairs, and other services. Information and referral services are also available to residents in boarding homes, residential healthcare facilities and rooming houses.

Statewide Respite Care Program

This program provides respite services to families experiencing fatigue and stress due to long-term caregiving of frail, elderly, and/or disabled members. Services are short-term and can be arranged on an intermittent basis or for a specific period of time. Respite care makes use of a variety of short-term services to meet the specific and limited goal of providing caregivers with temporary relief from the physical and emotional demands of caregiving. Families or individuals providing unpaid basic daily care at home to a functionally impaired adult over age 18 are eligible for services. Priority is given to families where the impaired member is at risk of long-term institutionalization due to the inability of the caregiver to continue in that role.

Supportive Assistance to Individuals and Families (SAIF)

This program is an intensive case management program for Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) recipients who have received more than 48 months of assistance. It also provides additional support to families and individuals who have been unable to become self-sufficient because of serious barriers.

Transportation Services

Emergency Assistance (EA) - Limited transportation services are provided to eligible recipients of Emergency Assistance.

Fair Hearings - Beneficiaries receive transportation to attend fair hearings concerning adverse actions to the beneficiary.

Friendship Corner - Transportation for Friendship Corner clients is provided for several annual events held during the year.

RWB Transportation Grant - Transportation services for grant recipients referred from the Ocean County Health Department and Jersey Shore University Hospital.

Safe Housing and Transportation Program - Escorted transportation and housing rehabilitation are provided to senior citizens in Ocean County.

Senior Assisted Transportation Services (SATS) - Assisted transportation services provided to Ocean County residents 60 years old and older to secure housing, benefits, and nutrition as well as access to medical care and other services related to the health and welfare of the individual who is not receiving transportation services through other programs.

Senior Services to the Elderly Transportation (SSE) - Assisted transportation services provided to Ocean County residents 60 years old and older to secure emergency housing, benefits, and nutrition as well as access to medical care and other services related to the health and welfare of the individual who is not receiving transportation services through other programs.

Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) - Transportation services to doctor appointments, shopping, work sites, etc., are provided to elderly and/or disabled residents who are ineligible for services under other transportation programs.

Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) Case Management

Case management services are provided to TANF/GA/SSI recipients with serious barriers to employment and self-sufficiency. The WFNJ Case Management unit handles cases involving domestic violence, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental illness.

A message from Director Barbara Jo Crea
		Director Barbara Jo Crea Barbara “Bobbi” Jo Crea, a dedicated and active Ocean County leader will serve as the 2024 Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. Read more
		Deputy Director Gary Quinn Commissioner Gary Quinn serves as the Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners for 2024. Read more
		Commissioner John P. Kelly Commissioner John P. Kelly has been an Ocean County elected official since 1993. He was sworn into his 11th three-year term on the Board of Commissioners during the Board’s organization meeting Jan. 4, 2023. Read more
		Commissioner Virginia E. Haines Commissioner Virginia E. “Ginny” Haines, a lifelong resident of Ocean County, brings years of public service and leadership experience to the Board of Commissioners. She was sworn into her third three-year term on the Board during its organization meeting Jan. 4, 2023. Read more
		Commissioner Frank Sadeghi Commissioner Frank Sadeghi was sworn to his first three year term on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners during the Board’s reorganization meeting Jan. 3, 2024. A successful businessman and a long-time public servant, Commissioner Sadeghi brings years of leadership experience to the Board. Read more
Michael J. Fiure, County Administrator 101 Hooper Ave. Admin Building Toms River, NJ 08754 Phone: (732) 929-2147 \| Email: MFiure@co.ocean.nj.us
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Ocean County Board of Social Services