TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners is providing assurances to its most vulnerable population that warming centers will be available during the winter months to assist the homeless.

The Board recently approved the Ocean County Code Blue Plan which details protocols for Code Blue Alerts, notes services available during Code Blue activation and encourages everyone involved in the plan to communicate regarding the ongoing efforts available in the community to address the needs of individuals at risk during extreme weather.

"Simply put, the Code Blue program, while regulated by the state, is a partnership of this Board, our Human Services Department, the Office of Emergency Management, a host of dedicated providers and volunteers all working together to take care of our most vulnerable residents during the winter months," said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Barbara Jo Crea.

The Code Blue activation period is from Nov. 1 to March 31 with the greatest risk from December to February. The Code Blue program provides overnight warming centers for the homeless when temperatures fall below freezing.

"Our focus of all the discussions involved in creating the Code Blue Plan was assuring that we will have enough beds to take care of Ocean County's homeless during this winter's Code Blue season," she said. "As part of this approved plan, there are five sites included that will host a total of 165 beds. One of those sites is a dedicated County facility at 1959 Route 9 in Toms River that will offer a substantial number of warming center beds."

Crea noted that by using a county-owned and maintained facility that is close to important services and transportation the Board was guaranteeing it would have enough beds, in a secure location and will provide the homeless with the ability to access important services with the emphasis of putting them on the road to self-sufficiency.

The warming center at 1959 Route 9 will be overseen by the Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey which was incorporated in 1984 and has a long history of providing care and services to the homeless.

"They are a peer focused organization employing people that have experienced the hardships of being homeless and having limited access to services," Crea said. "It's very beneficial to have them on board for this year's program."

Funding for Code Blue comes from a $225,000 appropriation from the Board of Commissioners, $130,000 from the New Jersey Division of Family Development and $35,815 from the county's Homelessness Trust Fund – the first code blue allocation - providing a budget of nearly $400,000 for this program.

"I am appreciative of the support of this Board and the hard work of everyone that has had a significant role in bringing us here today," Crea said. "I want to thank Tracy Maksel, Director of Human Services, and her staff for their diligence and eye for detail in developing this Code Blue plan."

Crea also extended the Board's appreciation to Ending Homelessness Group for the work they've done as the Code Blue Logistics Coordinator for the past several years and as they coordinate this coming season's services.

"Working together is how we make a difference for our residents," Crea said. "This program provides more than just warming centers. It provides help and hope to our most vulnerable residents."