This month’s column was written by Renee Burawski, LCSW, who recently joined the Department of Human Services as the Director of the Office of Aging and Disability Services. We honor and recognize the dedicated service of social workers within the Department and across the Somerset County Department of Human Services who make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents every day, and make our community a better place for all.

Mollie Greene, Director, Department of Human Services

March is Social Work Month. In recognition of the profession and our social workers, this year’s theme highlights how social workers Uplift, Defend and Transform in their varied and unique roles. The preamble of the Social Work Code of Ethics[1] says that the primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. Further it states, social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. “Clients” is used inclusively to refer to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. These activities may be in the form of direct practice, community organizing, supervision, consultation, administration, advocacy, social and political action, policy development and implementation, education, and research and evaluation. Social workers seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their own needs and to promote the responsiveness of organizations, communities, and other social institutions to individuals’ needs and social problems.

Reading the preamble to this Code of Ethics at the start of this month feels different. The words carry a heavier weight. They feel urgent because right now, in these challenging times, uplifting, transforming, and defending are not abstract ideas—they are necessary acts of courage.

We are living in a climate where some individuals face violence or aggression because of the language they speak, the color of their skin, their immigration status, or their socioeconomic reality. We are hearing shifts in the tone of public discourse—language about vulnerable communities, about people living in poverty, about those on the margins—that feels harsher, more divisive, and at times dehumanizing.

In moments like this, the introduction to the Code of Ethics is not just guidance. It is grounding.

To uplift is to affirm the dignity and worth of every person, especially when the world feels determined to question it. It is to sit across from someone who has been dismissed or targeted and remind them, through our actions and our presence, that they matter. Uplifting happens in therapy rooms, in community meetings, in outreach visits and home visits, in advocacy, in workforce development offices, and in crisis response calls. It happens whenever a social worker chooses empathy over indifference.

To defend is to promote social justice not only in theory but in practice. It is to speak up when harmful narratives take hold. It is to challenge systems that perpetuate inequity. It is to protect vulnerable individuals from further harm and to ensure their voices are heard. Defending may look like policy advocacy, trauma-informed response after community violence, suicide prevention training, family therapy, or ensuring access to health and behavioral health services. It may be quiet and behind the scenes—or it may be public and bold. Either way, it is rooted in integrity.

To transform is to believe that change is possible, even when circumstances feel overwhelming. It is to help a young person in the justice system see a future beyond their current mistake. It is to help an unemployed parent rediscover confidence and opportunity. It is to guide a family in crisis toward healthier communication and renewed connection. Transformation is not instant, and it is not always visible—but it is powerful.

This month reminds us that social work has always existed at the intersection of personal pain and societal challenge. The profession was born in response to inequality and hardship, and it continues to evolve as new challenges emerge. When discourse becomes more divisive, when vulnerable populations are spoken about as problems instead of people, social workers return to the foundation: dignity, justice, human relationships.

Somerset County’s Department of Human Services boasts a broad array of professionals providing vital services to Somerset County residents. This diversity of staff enables the Department of Human Services to be responsive to the needs of those served. This month we recognize the social workers in the Department that uplift residents by planning and supporting the continuum of behavioral health services, ensuring that care is not fragmented but connected, accessible, and responsive.  To uplift is to enhance human well-being in real and tangible ways. It is to sit with someone in crisis and remind them of their strength. It is to offer resources, guidance, and a steady presence when life feels unstable.

To defend is to promote social justice and protect the dignity and worth of every person. A social worker supports the Somerset County Traumatic Loss Coalition that provides suicide prevention training through the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) model—an evidence-based, gatekeeper approach. They coordinate 24/7 traumatic loss response, offer consultation, and provide Psychological First Aid when needed. In these moments, defending means standing between vulnerability and isolation, ensuring that no individual or community faces grief or loss alone.

To transform is to address not only individual pain but also the systems and environments that contribute to it. In the Office of Youth Justice, social workers meet young people at pivotal crossroads. They advocate for fair treatment, access to opportunity, and restorative approaches that focus on growth rather than punishment. Transformation happens when a young person begins to see a future beyond their current circumstances—when accountability is paired with hope.

At Somerset County One Stop, social workers uplift and transform the lives of adults and youth navigating unemployment or underemployment. By removing barriers, strengthening skills, and connecting individuals to meaningful work, they defend the right to dignity and economic stability. Employment becomes more than income, it becomes empowerment.

Clinical social workers at the Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center embody the Code’s commitment to whole-person care. Through compassionate, evidence-based practice, they uplift individuals and families facing mental health and substance use challenges. They defend vulnerable populations by providing access to co-located mental health and addiction treatment, primary and dental healthcare. They help transform lives by strengthening resilience and building networks of support that honor the connection between mind, body, spirit and community.

Within the Family Crisis Intervention Unit (FCIU), social workers through family therapy create space for honest dialogue, healing, and reconnection. They uplift families with validation and practical tools. They defend vulnerable families by addressing harmful dynamics and ensuring each voice is heard. They help transform conflict into understanding and crisis into growth, empowering families not simply to survive, but to emerge stronger.

Social workers at the Division on Aging and Disability Services transform in another profound way. They support adults over the age of 60 and physically disabled adults over the age of 18 so they can remain living independently in the community with the supports they need. This work is not simply about coordinating services, it is about protecting autonomy, preserving dignity, and honoring the importance of every life served. Independence, even with support, affirms that aging and disability do not diminish a person’s value or place in the community.

Somerset County DHS Social Workers UPLIFT because every person deserves to be seen and valued.

Somerset County DHS Social Workers DEFEND because injustice demands response.

Somerset County DHS Social Workers TRANSFORM because hope requires action.

During Social Work Month, we honor not only the profession, but the people served and the communities strengthened through this work. And especially now—when fear, aggression, and division can feel loud—social workers remain steady. Social workers remain committed. Social workers remain guided by service, social justice, integrity, and competence.

In every space Somerset County Social Workers enter, they carry the same quiet but powerful promise: to stand beside those who are vulnerable, to challenge what harms, and to help build a society where every person has the opportunity to live with dignity and hope.

Discovering the Real Power of Nutrition

Submitted by Kate Russo, Planning Administrator, Human Services

It wasn’t until 2020 that I started to understand that National Nutrition Month had less to do with healthy choices, and the food pyramid (My Plate) and more to do with access to food. As a Health and Physical Education major, my background and training focused on the assumption that all people had access to food and to healthy food. In college, we were not taught about food insecurity. Although many of my students were food insecure, it was not prioritized to ensure that they received weekend meals, or free school meals.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has selected Discover the Power of Nutrition as their 2026 theme.  However, we can only “discover the power of nutrition” when food is actually available. In Somerset County, more than 11,000 residents receive SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Of this number, more than 4,700 are children and 3,200 are over age 60. But what this statistic doesn’t share are those that are food insecure and have not registered for SNAP or perhaps may not qualify and yet are teetering near the poverty line.

Where would you go if you were hungry? 

Somerset County has a robust food support system. Two food banks, Franklin Food Bank and the Food Bank Network of Somerset County, have choice markets that are open five days/week, allowing individuals to shop with a grocery cart and chose the foods that work best for their household. Food pantries are abundant throughout the County and provide everything from choice shopping or pre-packed meals bags on specific days of the week and/or month. SHIP better known as Samaritan Homeless Interim Program is located on East High Street in Somerville and provides a free lunch Monday through Friday.

I recently received a phone call from a resident who was not only food insecure, but also struggling with the limited shelf-stable foods she received from a pantry, which did not adequately meet her nutritional needs. She told me she was “malnourished.” While we were able to connect her with the Food Bank Network so she could access fresh produce and proteins that met her dietary needs — as well as a SNAP Navigator — I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that she used the word “malnourished” in Somerset County, New Jersey, in 2026.

This winter has been incredibly cold, and many neighbors are facing the “heat or eat” dilemma. County Navigators are providing residents with utility support through the LIHEAP application process at our food banks, to ensure that no one has to choose between staying warm or staying fed.

Visiting food banks and pantries in your area can help offset the stress of providing groceries for yourself and your family. The ability to shop and select culturally relevant, nutritionally balanced foods supports both dignity and financial stability.

As we reflect this March during National Nutrition Month, let’s ensure that our neighbors have access to enough food — chosen with dignity and respect — to truly discover the power of nutrition.

Click here to view Somerset County’s Food Assistance page to Give Help & Get Help.

Submitted by Courtney Newman, Executive Director, Steps Together 

Steps Together is a Hillsborough-based 501(c)(3) organization, formed in 2013, dedicated to inspiring our community to pay their blessings forward by supporting local families facing medical emergencies. Our mission is to ensure that no family feels they have to face a difficult journey alone when they are overwhelmed by circumstances out of their control.

We want you to be aware of the specific ways we can support families throughout Somerset county and in your school community:

• Financial Assistance: We provide grants that range from one-time assistance to ongoing support for up to 24 months.
• Direct Relief: We help pay essential bills when a parent can no longer maintain their job, cover the costs of treatments and prescriptions not covered by insurance, and even provide simple comforts like buying dinner for a family who lacks the energy to cook.
• Support for Students: We understand the stress on children and aim to provide small joys, such as a set of Legos, to make a hospital stay a little easier.
• Centralized Community Support: To ease the burden of logistics, we share family stories on our website to centralize fundraising eff orts, creating a "one-stop shop" for those in the community who want to help.
• Tools and Resources: We provide access to various tools and resources specifically designed for families navigating the complexities of a medical crisis.

Our organization was born from a desire to take an unimaginable experience and turn it into a way to embrace, encourage, and care for others. We do not seek a formal partnership; our only goal is to ensure that you, as a trusted point of contact for families, know that we exist to help them navigate the unimaginable. If you encounter a family who could benefit from our support, please know they can apply for assistance directly through our website at www.steps-together.org/apply-for-help.

CiC's "Building Recovery Capital: Recovery Friendly Workplaces" Workshop A Success!

CiC for Prevention & Recovery hosted a successful workshop at the Somerset County Business Partnership highlighting the benefits of a Recovery Friendly Workplace. Featured presenters included Mark S. Bonta, part of the original implementation of the New Hampshire Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative, and former employee, Shawn Cannizzaro, for whom the RFW movement has been a central part of his recovery and career journey.

Attendees, including current RFW-designated businesses, heard firsthand from an employer and had the opportunity to ask direct questions about building recovery-friendly workplace practices. They also gained valuable insight into how empathy can create life-changing outcomes for employees navigating the path of recovery.

Cannizzaro is now a Recovery Coach and advocate whose lived experience includes decades of addiction, incarceration, and personal adversity followed by sustained recovery and profound personal transformation. The Recovery Friendly Workplace movement has been central to Shawn’s career journey, shaping his deep commitment to advancing recovery-informed workplace practices.

An attendee shared that "this is a great start to the conversation for business-owners!"

CiC is also excited to announce that Mannion's Pub and Coqui Insight Project are officially designated as Recovery Friendly Workplaces!

The Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) program continues to gain momentum, with more than a dozen Somerset County employers already engaged since its launch in May 2025. As a county-sponsored initiative, it has received broad recognition across the community. 

If you are interested in learning more about the movement or how to become a Recovery Friendly Workplace, reach out to David Martinak at dmartinak@communityincrisis.org or Tel/txt: 973-722-5333.

4-H:

• TOPS Camp – Registration now open!

• Spring Craft Show

• AgVenture Days

• 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: March 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 March! 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! 
• Cooking with Herbs

CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER (CJHRC)

Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (CJHRC) is a HUD-approved agency and is committed to partnering with very low-, low-, and moderate-income households in Central NJ in order to build the knowledge, skills, and access necessary to achieve sustainable housing stability and long-term financial security. 

Our comprehensive counseling services include pre- and post-purchase, rental, financial literacy, foreclosure counseling and support for those experiencing homelessness.  All of our programs and services are FREE to the community.

Contact us today to get started.

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

• What to Know When You Own an Affordable Housing Unit

  Attend and learn aspects of being a homeowner of an affordable housing unit.

            March 19, 2026                                 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
           🔗 To register and more details, click here

   

• 2‑PART HOMEBUYER CERTIFICATE WEBINAR

  Attend and learn the essential steps toward purchasing a home.

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

   

• FAIR HOUSING WEBINAR

Attend and learn your housing protections under the Fair Housing Act.

          April 9, 2026                                     3:00 PM – 4:15 PM
         🔗 To register and more details, click here

How the Brain Works: A Biological Supercomputer

Brain Awareness Week

Submitted by Dr. Tasneem Shaikh, Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center

Do you know our brain works like a big computer? It serves as the command center and processes a constant stream of information while simultaneously executing it. The brain processes information that it receives from the body and our 5-senses (sight-smell-hearing-taste-touch), which then sends messages back to the body. Our brain is the root of human intelligence. This intelligence is not artificial; it is built in (innate).

Unlike a computer which has a fixed circuit board, the brain is plastic. Every time you learn a new language, memorize a song, or adapt to a new environment your brain physically changes. This neuroplasticity allows the brain to recover from injuries and adapt to new challenges throughout your life.

The brain is a very fragile organ hence it is protected by a special shield called the skull. In addition, it is surrounded by a gel-like substance called cerebrospinal fluid, which provides a cushion for the brain in the event of rapid movement or a sudden blow to the head. (in medical terms we call it concussion).

The human brain is roughly the size of two clenched fists and weighs about 3 lbs. Our brain from the outside looks a bit like a large walnut, with folds and crevices (in medical terms we call them sulci and gyri). The Brain “hardware “is consists of approximately 86 billion nerve cells (neurons) and one trillion supporting cells that stabilize the tissue. Neurons provide electrical and chemical signals to the brain.

The brain is made up of various parts, each with its own functions.

At a higher level, the brain can be divided into 3 main parts: Cerebrum, Cerebellum and Brainstem

-The cerebrum: The cerebrum has a right half and a left half, known as the right and left hemispheres. Each hemisphere consists of 4 lobes

• The frontal Lobe: The “CEO” of the brain handles logic, planning and personality.
• The parietal Lobe: manages sensory and memory processing.
• The occipital Lobe: located at the back, this area is dedicated to processing visual information from your eyes.
• The Temporal Lobe: A tiny, almond- shaped structure called Amygdala lies deep in the temporal lobe which governs emotional responses, particularly fight and flight instinct

  -The brain stem: The brain stem includes the midbrain, pons and medulla. It is the bridge that relays information between the cerebrum, cerebellum and the spinal cord. It manages “autopilot” functions like breathing, heart rate and digestion.

  -The cerebellum: The cerebellum coordinates movements and is responsible for balance.

  The brain receives its nutrients and oxygen via 3 major arteries which break down to smaller arteries called capillaries. These capillaries have a special membrane which in medical terms call “blood- brain barrier”. It protects the sensitive brain from entering toxic substances in the blood. The brain is an energy-intensive organ, consuming about 20% of your body’s oxygen and calories. Because it runs so “hot” it requires a cooling and cleaning period: sleep.

  While you are sleeping the brain is not just resting; it is actively flushing out toxins and moving information from short-term temporary folder to long-term storage.

  Tips for Brain Health:

  • Do physical exercises to keep your brain well-oxygenated.
  • Eat Healthy food to energize your brain.
  • Sleep 8 hours a day to recharge your brain.
  • Read, play, solve riddles/puzzles to keep your brain active.
  • Stay away from toxins which are harmful to your brain like alcohol and drugs.

Your brain is your most valuable asset—cherish it.

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

Substance Use and Recovery for Teens

Submitted by the Substance Use & Prevention Committee - Somerset County Youth Council

According to Solcyré Burga of TIME News, "A 2023 survey from Gallup found that the share of adults under age 35 who say they ever drink dropped ten percentage points in two decades, to 62% in 2021-2023 from 72% in 2001-2003." Though teen drinking rates are decreasing, it still is a colossal complication that impacts public health, safety, and long-term developmental outcomes for adolescents. Substance use, encompassing the use of narcotics, tobacco, nicotine, as well as alcohol all pose significant risks to the well-being of teens, requiring a basic, empathetic approach towards those suffering from addiction. Addiction is a difficult, chronic condition that can be overcome through these recommended methods:

1. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Therapy

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
  1. Focuses on your goals, needs, and your future in a community through a team of specialists discussing how to properly deal with your concerns
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  1. Helps you identify the issue regarding your behavior and thinking and encourages you to set goals to cope healthier
• Family Therapy
  1. Improves your relationships as well as your behavior through engaging in a group or family setting

   

  2. Lifestyle Medicine and Holistic Wellness

• Physical Activity
  1. Exercising or doing a hobby that you enjoy can help repair the reward system in the brain that substances often disrupt
• Mindfulness and Stress Management Tactics
  1. Techniques like meditation or breathwork help increase your impulse control by strengthening the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making
• Proper Nutrition and Sleep
  1. Substance use depletes the body of essential nutrients and restoring physical health through a strong sleep cycle and proper nutrition can significantly decrease the physical desire to ingest toxins  

   

  3. Professional Help

• SAMHSA’s National Helpline
  1. A free and confidential service that helps you find local treatment facilities, support groups, andorganizations to help deal with addiction
     • Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
     • Text: Send your zip code to 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  1. You can call or text to speak with a trained counselor immediately if you are feeling overwhelmed or thinking about using substances

• Call or Text: 988
• Spanish: Call 988 and press 2, or text AYUDA to 988

While professional treatment and holistic care are vital for long-term health, the first step toward recovery often begins with a parent’s awareness of risks, particularly evolving accessibility and social media, which differ from their own past experiences. Many modern substances are highly concentrated and are disguised as pharmaceutical drugs, making them significantly more powerful and unpredictable than decades ago. Exposure to certain substances have become effortless through the use of social media and encrypted apps, granting vulnerability to even those who aren’t seeking them out. Today, teens are stepping up by running peer-to-peer programs and using social media to normalize asking for help. This includes the fostering of communities that focus on substance abuse. The complication of substance use is extremely difficult, which is why teens are working to solve this issue to make the world a better place that is free of addiction.

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:

Access Center Coordinator

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2026-016P205

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

Intake Triage Specialist

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

Integrated Case Manager – CCBHC

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2026-018J1448

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

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.