Reaching Out

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners recently unveiled two new mobile outreach units that are part of the county’s continuing efforts to bring services directly into the community. “Ocean County is a large county with nearly 640 square miles,” said Ocean County Commissioner John P. Kelly, who serves as liaison to the County Connection at the Ocean County Mall, Toms River. “With so much area to cover, these two mobile outreach units will help us bring important services directly to our residents. The County Connection Mobile Unit will allow citizens to access services including passport services and veterans IDS in addition to a host of other programs supported by the Board of Commissioners.“ With more than 90 senior citizen communities throughout Ocean County and over 200,000 seniors calling the County home, the Ocean County Office of Senior Services will now have a mobile unit to bring information and assistance into senior communities and also to Ocean County Library branches, scheduled events like fairs and other areas of the County. “So many of our seniors don’t drive and have difficulties getting around Ocean County,” said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Barbara Jo Crea, chair of the Office of Senior Services. “If we can bring these services directly to their communities, the benefits will be immeasurable.” The Ocean County Health Department and the Ocean County Board of Social Services already operate mobile units. “Our programs are successful when people can access them and benefit from them,” Crea said. “Having our professional and well-trained staff go directly into neighborhoods will make a significant difference for our citizens.” Crea and Kelly recently were joined by Commissioners Virginia E. Haines, Gary Quinn, Frank Sadeghi and staff from Senior Services and the County Connection at a ribbon cutting event highlighting the mobile units. Schedules for both vans are currently being developed for 2025.