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, self-neglect and/or exploitation, and are unable to protect themselves. Social workers provide assessments, care plans, and coordinate linkage to community programs to assist adults with stabilization in the community. As a last resort, social workers will 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).

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.

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.

Friendship Corner

Friendship Corner was developed to meet the recreational, social and educational needs of boarding home residents by providing therapeutic recreational programming. Friendship Corner conducts field trips as well as hosting an annual Boarding Home Festival, and Thanksgiving/Holiday 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. 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 years and older, 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.

Senior Assisted Social Services (SASS)

The purpose of this program is to provide home modifications 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 modifications 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. Assisted and/or escorted transportation services are 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.

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.

Senior Assisted Social Services (SASS) - Assisted and/or escorted transportation services are 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.

Mobile Outreach Unit - The mobile outreach unit brings the Ocean County Board of Social Service programs directly into communities across the County’s 640 square miles. The mobile outreach unit staff have a wide range of knowledge of the more than 50 programs administered by the agency and are able to assist residents to identify and apply for eligible programs, as well as provide referrals to the vast resources in Ocean County.

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.

		Director 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. He serves as the Director of the Board in 2026. Read more
		Deputy Director Jennifier Bacchione was sworn to her first three-year term on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners during the Board’s Jan. 6, 2025 Organization Meeting. She serves as the Deputy Director of the Board in 2026. Read more
		Commissioner Robert S. Arace was sworn into office on January 6, 2025, and serves on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. Read more
		Commissioner Sam Ellenbogen was sworn into his first three-year term on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners during the Board’s Organization Meeting on January 7, 2026. Read more
		Commissioner Ray Gormley was sworn into his first three-year term on the Ocean County Board of Commissioners during the Board’s 2026 Organization Meeting on January 7, 2026. 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