I am pleased to inform you that Renee Burawski, LCSW, has joined the Department of Human Services as Director of the Office of Aging and Disability Services. 

Renee is a seasoned human services professional and senior public health leader with over 25 years of experience spanning behavioral health systems, disaster response, federal and state grant oversight, and program development.  Most recently, she has served as the Assistant Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).  Prior serving as Assistant Commissioner, Renee has held several roles at DMHAS including Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Chief of Staff, and Director of Superstorm Sandy Recovery.  Renee has held positions as a senior manager and director of services for non-profit behavioral health and advocacy agencies, strategic consultant, and adjunct faculty at Seton Hall University. Notably, Renee has also served as the Mental Health Administrator for Somerset County. 

Please join me in welcoming Renee back home to Somerset County.

Thank you,

Mollie Greene

CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER (CJHRC)

Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (CJHRC) is a HUD‑approved housing counseling agency that support very low-, low-, and moderate‑income households with their housing, budgeting, and financial goals. All of our services are 100% FREE and available to the entire community.

Whether you are budgeting, improving your credit, looking for affordable rentals, or exploring homeownership, CJHRC provides information and resources to help you move forward.

Contact us today to learn more about our counseling programs.

• Click Here to complete an intake
• Call a counselor – 908-446-0036
• Visit www.cjhrc.org
• Email to 2cjhrc@gmail.com

• 3‑PART FINANCIAL LITERACY SERIES,

  Learn about budgeting, credit, savings, DTI and how become financially stable.

  February 12, 19 & 26, 2026
  6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
   🔗 To register and more details, click here
  
  

• 2‑DAY HOMEBUYER CERTIFICATE WEBINAR

Attend and learn the essential step toward owning your own home.

          March 23 & 25, 2026
          5:30 PM – 8:15 PM
         🔗 To register and more details, click here

Greetings from the Somerset County Office of Youth Justice!

Submitted by Monica Mulligan, Director and Gayle Allen, Senior Program Coordinator

In early 2025, the New Jersey state agency that oversees youth justice adopted a name change from “Juvenile Justice Commission” to “Youth Justice Commission” to better reflect its mission. On January 1, 2026, Somerset County followed this lead by formally renaming the office of “Juvenile Institutional Services” as the Office of Youth Justice.

This is more than just a simple issue of semantics. We recognize that the work we do carries meaning and influence, shaping both public perception and the self-identity of the youth and families we serve. The term “juvenile” has historically been associated with legal status and negative connotations, rather than reflecting the potential, promise, and individuality of young people. No parent, mentor, or caring adult refers to their own child as a “juvenile,” and the continued use of the term may unintentionally reinforce stigma.

Our choice to substitute the word “youth” for “juvenile” better reflects the Somerset County Department of Human Services’ mission to support and empower young people as they learn, grow, and make positive changes in their lives, and we are committed to helping youth overcome past transgressions, heal harm, and pursue opportunities that lead to stronger futures and safer communities. Most often, “the child is not the problem. The child’s problem is the problem.” -Dr. Garry L. Landreth

The change also symbolizes Somerset County Department of Human Services’ belief in second chances, rehabilitation, and the limitless potential of every young person. The United States’ Supreme Court recognizes that “kids are different” from adult offenders and our work must reflect the country’s “evolving standards of decency.” Our new name doesn’t only acknowledge our intentions for the future; it’s a celebration of the system reforms and culture shift we have tenaciously pursued and achieved in the 30 year history of our office.

4-H:

• TOPS Camp – Registration now open!

• NJEP: We are enrolling for NJ Empower to Prevent, a virtual National Diabetes Prevention Program. If you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with prediabetes, register for this FREE, year-long program by contacting us or completing the registration link https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2soUa9t5kfhGfIO  
• Wellness Wednesdays: February Wellness Wednesdays: Join us for this month’s series of FCHS Wellness Wednesday webinars! These webinars take place every Wednesday at 12:30pm. Registration is required, but is free. To see all webinars, please visit: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/wellness-wednesdays/
• Tune in to the Facebook Live videos from Somerset County Family & Community Health Sciences (RCE) this February! By doing so, you can earn up to 5 LiveWell points (Metric 14)! Be sure to check out https://www.facebook.com/SCNJFCHS/ for updates and videos! 
• FREE Alzheimer's Association programs

Are you caring for someone with dementia, seeking to understand early signs, or wanting to learn more information about possible prevention? Join us for one, or all, of our FREE Alzheimer's Association programs on Fridays in February from 1-2pm.

Register at the link here: https://rutgers.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xsQ3C0tv7pZPnM

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Submitted by Gianna Alfano, LAC, Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center

Almost 1 in 10 individuals in the United States will have an eating disorder throughout the course of their lifetime.

For some, the signs and symptoms may be easy to spot. For others, not so much. Consider the coworker you sit with at lunch every day. Or your old college roommate you meet up with monthly to catch up. Or your brother, who lives under the same roof as you.

Whenever you and your coworker eat lunch together, they eat their food in a certain order and rearrange the food on their plate. And your old college roommate you only see once a month, always checks the calories in the dessert you two are about to eat, or the flavored coffee you’re about to drink. And even your brother always seems to have an excuse not to eat dinner with your family when the time comes around, though you have always attributed it to him being busy.

If you’re reading these examples and thinking to yourself, “Hmm, I see this happen often. I even do some of these things myself occasionally.”, you’re not alone. Recognizing the symptoms of an eating disorder allows you to get the help you need early – and significantly increases the chances of recovery.

Other symptoms of an eating disorder may include withdrawal from social interactions, weight fluctuation, mood swings, stomach cramps, extreme concern with body size, dizziness, menstrual irregularities, or refusal to eat certain foods. Eating disorders are not a one-size-fits-all. They can look different in everyone. So, be sure to educate yourself, look for the signs early, and reach out for help if you need it. You’re not alone and your body matters.

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health, substance use or gambling challenges, please call our ACCESS Center at 908-253-3165. If this is a psychiatric emergency call Bridgeway PESS at 908-526-4100 OR

CALL the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 to talk to a counselor 24/7/365

Below are various job opportunities available within Somerset County including with partner agencies/organizations. For all inquiries, contact the organization directly.

Below are current job openings at Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center:

Case Manager – AOTS (P/T)

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-093J1195

Case Manager – R4R

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-124J1125

Clinical Supervisor – CARE

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-209P806

Facility and Security Director

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-191P939

Intake Triage Specialist

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-095J1191

Licensed Mental Health Practitioner

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-168J124

Licensed Practical Nurse

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-096J1315

Peer Specialist (CCBHC)

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-016J1450

Project Director – CCBHC

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-205P912

Psychiatric Nurse

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2026-004J115

Recovery Support Specialist (STAR)

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-179J1126

If you require assistance completing the online employment application, you may contact Human Resources at employment@co.somerset.nj.us or 908.231.7120.