Division of Community Outreach and Family Services |
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In our continuing effort to serve Passaic County residents, Passaic County Department of Human Services (PCDHS) has recently added free bus service to provide transportation for residents who are current and post- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ( TANF) recipient. The service provides qualified residents with free transportation to and from medical appointments, job fairs, employment training, job interviews, social services, and other programs. This transportation services exemplify public/private collaboration which the county has been targeting as part of its Impact Passaic Initiative. The bus used in providing this free service was donated by Christian Health and the operation costs are grant funded, which means that this much needed service comes at a zero cost to taxpayers. The service is provided Monday – Friday form 9am to 4pm and can be accessed by calling 973-881-2895 or by email to DHStransportation@Passaiccountynj.org 24 hours prior to the time transportation needed. |
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Division of Mental Health and Addictions Services |
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Today, “9-8-8” is the nationwide 3-digit phone number for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. By calling or texting 988, you’ll be connected to mental health professionals who are there to help. The 988 line is connected to over 200 crisis centers that help thousands of people overcome crisis situations everyday. The line will connect you to your local crisis center where mental health professionals can assist in providing support, help and resources that are available to you right in your area.
Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to be connected to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline which serves our Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members and those who support them. For texting, Veterans should continue to use the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.
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Passaic County’s DMHAS has been busy with many community activities and engagement with our residents County-wide! Outreach has been conducted at our County Senior Sites, Tuesday’s in the Plaza in Paterson, West Milford and engagement with the Crisis Intervention Team Training Class #220 of October 2022.
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Senior Sites:
PC DMHAS, in coordination with United for Prevention in Passaic County, has offered continued Over-the-Counter Medication Safety presentations. The free presentation provides education on how to properly use OTC medication, how to store and dispose of OTC’s and how to recognize the difference between OTC and prescription medications.
Tuesday’s in the Plaza:
Passaic County’s County Board of Commissioners and the Friends of Passaic County Parks hosted a weekly event from July 12th to October 11th at the William J. Bate Memorial Court House Plaza in Paterson NJ. The event featured various County resources, agencies, local markets, a band and food trucks. Passaic County’s DMHAS had the opportunity to table at a few of the Tuesday’s were County residents were provided with resources and information about Mental Health and Addictions.
West Milford Wellness Family Festival:
Highlands Family Success Center and West Milford Health Advisory Board hosted their 1st Wellness Family Festival at Macopin Middle School on September 24th. The event ran from 10am to 2pm and provided breakfast, snacks and refreshments, a bouncy house, games and activities for the whole family, yoga, Reiki, a DJ and highlighted a number of County resources where families could visit each table and obtain information on local agencies and service providers. PC DMHAS had the great opportunity to outreach over 150 families to provide support and assistance in navigating the mental health and addictions system.
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Crisis Intervention Team Training: |
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On October 25th the Division presented to this October’s CIT Class #220. Information about the Division, education on community resources for mental health and addictions and a tutorial of the County’s Virtual Resource Hub were covered to the class of 60 participants.
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CIT Training is a 5 day, 40-hour training made up of law enforcement, mental health and addiction professionals, those who live with mental illness or addiction diagnosis and other advocates. The intensive training for Law Enforcement and First Responder personnel offers mental health and addiction education, crisis resolution skills, access to community resources, and de-escalation techniques. CIT has been implemented in over 2,700 communities nationwide and provides additional resources, tools and skills for our first responders to add to their toolkit. Passaic County’s CIT is run by a group of dedicated coordinators and is greatly received by the participants! |
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Passaic County CIACC:
The Passaic County Planning/ Education Committee continues to build partnerships with the Passaic County School Systems. There is an Annual Conference held in February for both Educators and those in behavioral health. The Planning Committee is currently planning for the 9th Annual Conference. It will be held in person at the Passaic County Safety Academy on Friday, February 3, 2023.
The Passaic County Racial Equity Committee has been formed to meet and address Racial Inequities within our community. Racial Equity Committee has been successful in hosting five Youth Forums, three have been in-person and two virtual. They continue to plan on continuing these Youth Forums.
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The Juvenile Administration Division receives County and State (JJC) funding to administer programs for the Passaic County Family Court, Youth Detention, and Juvenile Detention Alternative Programs. Additionally, this division operates the Youth Services Commission (YSC) which serves as the planning body for the development of programs for court-involved, at-risk and low-income youth. Programs address needs at each point in the continuum of care, prevention, diversion, detention alternatives, disposition, and re-entry. Referrals for these services generally come from Family Court, schools, youth case managers, community providers, and probation departments, parents and/or guardians, and the community. For more information about these services, please contact the Juvenile Administrator Le’Var Starr (973) 881-2834.
Youth Service Commission
The Youth Services Commission (YSC) assists the County in the development of a comprehensive plan for services and sanctions for juveniles adjudicated or charged as delinquent and programs for the prevention of juvenile delinquency as prescribed by the Juvenile Justice Commission. The YSC is the single county agency responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the juvenile justice service system.
YSC Meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 12:30 PM
Upcoming YSC Meeting Dates:
November 16
December 21
For assistance in accessing any of the advertised meetings through the virtual meeting platform or by phone, please contact the Human Services Department at (973) 881-2834.
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County of Passaic
Department of Human Services
(973) 881-2834
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