A VARIETY of Ocean County departments will be on hand at Harvey Cedars Borough Hall on June 19th when the "Mobile County Connection" makes a stop on Long Beach Island.

"Our Mobile County Connection was designed to bring our vital county services directly to the residents of our 33 municipalities," said John P. Kelly, Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners. "Instead of traveling to the county seat here in Toms River or to our resource centers in Lakewood or Manahawkin, residents can visit the Mobile County Connection right on their doorsteps."

The mobile unit provides many of the same services offered at the County Connection storefront in the Ocean County Mall, Toms River, including passport applications, veterans ID card and document notarization, said Leyla Wade, director of the County Connection.

"For this special event we are also bringing many of our other departments to Long Beach Island," said Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione, who also with Kelly is liaison to the County Connection.

Representatives from the following departments are expected to attend the Harvey Cedars event, which runs from 9 am to 4 pm at Borough Hall, 7606 Long Beach Boulevard:

• Ocean Ride, which offers regular bus routes as well as customized transportation for seniors and veterans.

• Senior Services Representatives will be on hand to discuss services including Property Tax Programs, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), Utility Assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicare Counseling, Older Americans ACT Programs, Caregiver Resources and more.

• Consumer Affairs will have a representative on-site to answer questions, discuss scams and other issues facing consumers, and provide various brochures and informational material to help consumers.

• Human Services will offer information on various programs, including the county Mental Health Resource Directory, the Housing and Resource Directory, the Office of Individuals with Disabilities Resource Guide and the Hotline Guide.

• Parks and Recreation officials will be on hand with information on the county's 27 parks, including two golf courses. Information on a vast number of recreational programs will also be distributed.

• The Ocean County Surrogate's Office will provide information on estate administration, wills and probate.

"We encourage anyone with a question or who wants to learn about the vast number of services county government offers to attend this special free event," Bacchione said.

The idea for the Mobile County Connection's visit began with a conversation between Wade and Harvey Cedars Mayor John Imperiale at a recent meeting of the Ocean County Mayors Association.

"Director Wade spoke of the services that County Connection provides, and all of the agencies they coordinate with, and it seemed natural to have one big event where residents can become more aware of what services the County offers," Imperiale said.