Human Trafficking Awareness

Submitted by Kate Russo, Planning Administrator

In anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, New York and New Jersey are preparing to host incredible teams from Brazil, Germany, and France from June 11^th to July 19^th. These matches will draw hundreds of thousands of fans eager to celebrate. While most attendees come to enjoy the event safely, large gatherings can also create opportunities where exploitation can occur.

Many organizations are raising awareness to combat human trafficking during major events. In addition to hospitality staff, transportation employees, healthcare providers, event staff, and law enforcement, we can all deepen our awareness - staying observant, responding safely, and knowing where to report concerns.

Human trafficking can be more prevalent during large-scale events, including sporting events, due to the influx of visitors, increased economic opportunity for traffickers, and the vulnerabilities of certain populations.

Here are some indicators that may signal exploitation in your community. Remember a single sign does not confirm trafficking. To better understand how trafficking can appear in everyday settings, consider listening to Rebecca Bender: Sex Trafficking in Plain Sight | TED Talk. These indicators should prompt concern, and when appropriate, reporting.

10 Potential Warning Signs of Sex Trafficking

1. Someone else controls their communication

Another person speaks for them, monitors conversations, or refuses to let them speak alone.

2. They appear fearful or unusually anxious

They may avoid eye contact, seem intimidated, or appear afraid of a companion.

3. Signs of physical abuse or neglect

Unexplained injuries, bruises, exhaustion, malnourishment, or untreated medical issues.

4. No control over identification or money

They do not have access to their own ID, passport, cash, or transportation.

5. Inconsistent or scripted stories

Their explanation of where they live, work, or who they are with changes frequently.

6. Frequent movement between locations

Repeated hotel changes, transportation to multiple locations, or confusion about where they are.

7. A minor involved in commercial sex

Any person under 18 involved in commercial sex is legally considered a trafficking victim.

8. Branding tattoos or markings

Names, symbols, barcodes, crowns, or dollar signs may be indicators in some situations.

9. Mentions of debt or quotas

They may say they owe someone money or must meet daily financial goals.

10. Limited freedom

They may not be allowed to leave, keep their own schedule, or make personal decisions.

If You Notice These Signs

DO:

• Prioritize safety
• Observe and document details when appropriate
• Follow your organization’s reporting protocol
• Contact trained professionals

DO NOT:

• Confront a suspected trafficker
• Attempt a rescue on your own
• Put yourself or the individual at greater risk

Report Concerns

National Human Trafficking Hotline

Call: 1-888-373-7888
Text: 233733
Online: humantraffickinghotline.org

Emergency: Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.

Additional Training:

For Parents - OURRescue_Start Talking_2025

For Community - The Life | PBS

For Community -  Educational Events on Human Trafficking | AHA

For Community  - NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking

Maternal Mental Health

Nurturing the Mind with the Bump

Submitted by Cassandra Grant, Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center

The silent struggle beyond the baby blues. While we spend a lot of time discussing folic acid, nursery colors, and the milestones, we often overlook the most complex organ involved in pregnancy: the brain. According to the University of California, a study reveals changes in the brain throughout pregnancy. Hormonal surges cause structural and functional shifts. Pregnancy is a physical and psychological challenge. Shedding light on the mental health hurdles of expectant mothers—moving past the lovely moments to discuss the not-so-lovely ones.

It is a common misconception that mental health struggles only begin after the baby arrives. In reality, perinatal mental health includes the entire journey from conception through the first year postpartum.

• Antenatal Depression: Affecting roughly 10-15% of pregnant women, this is more than just mood swings. It involves persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in the pregnancy itself.

• Pregnancy Anxiety: While some worry is natural, clinical anxiety involves intrusive thoughts, physical racing of the heart, and obsessive fears regarding the baby’s health or the upcoming birth.

• The "Identity Shift": Many women struggle with matrescence—the transition into motherhood—which can trigger an intense sense of loss regarding their career, autonomy, and body.

Support is immensely significant for pregnant moms during pregnancy and one year postpartum. Nurturing the mind along with the body.

Great strides in the promotion of better Maternal Mental Health include raising awareness by spreading information, giving education to families with a perinatal guide to alert red flags of maternal mental health issues, leading to intervention.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can provide emotional support to pregnant and new moms. Please call or text 1-833-852-6262 (1-833-TLC-MAMA).

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 PESS at 908-526-4100 OR

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

Connecting Families to Food: Navigating Summer EBT and Local Support in Somerset County

Submitted by Brittany Lopez Cruz & Aldo Martinez, Human Services Navigators

As Human Services Navigators, our role is to help residents understand and access available food resources by providing both direct application assistance and clear, easy-to-follow guidance. Many food assistance programs are interconnected, and in some cases, families may qualify for multiple supports through a single application. Our goal is to simplify these systems so residents can make the most of the resources available to them.  

For example, families who received SNAP benefits between July 1 of the previous year and the current program year are often automatically enrolled in Summer EBT. If a child is not automatically enrolled, parents or guardians can submit a School Meal Application through their local school district to determine eligibility for school meals and related benefits. 

Summer EBT: Supporting Families During the Summer Months 

With the end of another school year, children across Somerset County will be able to enjoy the sunniest time of the year free from the responsibilities and duties of school. But for many children, they lose access to free and affordable meals and snacks for a little over two months.

The Summer EBT program in NJ awards households with eligible children $120 per child with the intent to assist the family in providing meals over the summer when the children are out of school. There are many ways to receive Summer EBT. If a child is enrolled in SNAP, TANF, and/or Medicaid, it is likely that the child is automatically enrolled to receive Summer EBT. Enrollment can also be made directly by filling out the School Meals and Summer EBT application and turning it to your child’s school. If you have filled out an application and have turned it in but are unsure whether they were accepted into the program or not, you can contact your child’s school to verify.

The School Meals program, also known as the Free and Reduced Lunch program, provides access to free or reduced priced meals for families under certain income limits. The federal income limits also determine whether a child can receive Summer EBT. In NJ, the Expanded Income Guidelines allow for larger number of students to be eligible for the program. However, students who fall under these guidelines but not under those set by the federal level are not automatically eligible for Summer EBT. A child may still be eligible to receive Summer EBT if, for example, they receive Medicaid (NJ FamilyCare) under a qualifying income.

After applying and determining eligibility into the program, a parent or guardian may expect to receive a NJ Summer EBT card in the mail per child enrolled. Benefits are tied to a strict 122-day time limit and will expire if not used.

For children attending a school that does not participate in any school meals program but is enrolled SNAP, TANF, income-eligible Medicaid, and/or is in foster care, they are automatically eligible if they are between the ages of 6-16. To verify or update information, please contact the Board of Social Services. Similarly, children attending daycare do not qualify for the program, but pre-school aged children do.

Additional Food Resources in Somerset County 

In addition to federal and state programs, we connect residents to local food pantries and emergency food resources to meet immediate needs while applications are being processed. Our Healthy Food Resource Locator Map provides an easy way to find food banks, pantries, free meal sites, and other essential services throughout Somerset County. 

Overall, our work goes beyond application assistance—we aim to make complex systems easier to navigate, clarify how programs connect, and ensure residents can access the full range of support available to improve their food security. 

If you would like to check specific income limits, requirements, or to see if your child is already enrolled in the NJ Summer EBT program, please see the links below:

• SNAP Income limit: https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/njsnap/apply/eligibility/
• School Meals NJ income limits: https://nj.gov/agriculture/documents/forms/Federal%20and%20State%20Income%20Eligibility%20Guidelines%20SY2025-2026%20Form%20427.pdf
• Verify enrollment in Summer EBT: https://www.agr.nj.gov/AG_DIRECTCERT/parentPortal
• Healthy Food Resource Locator Map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/7f52927913134322b48c34093dd33884/page/Food-Resources-Directory

Click Here to view more information or to contact us!

CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER (CJHRC)

FREE Webinar: Disaster Planning & Resources

Being prepared for a flood, power outage and other disasters is key.  CJHRC invites you to a special webinar on Wednesday, May 6, 2026
(4:00 PM – 5:15 PM) designed specifically for our local community.

In just 75 minutes, you’ll have a clear plan for what to do when the unexpected happens. We’ll cover everything from food safety during outages to quick evacuation steps.

Why Register & Attend?

• It’s 100% free.
• It’s easy to listen from your phone or computer.
• You’ll get free checklists and important handouts.

Click here to learn more and register.

FREE UPCOMING JUNE 2026 WEBINARS

2-Part Homebuyer Webinar Certificate Program
(must attend both for a certificate)

June 2, 2026 Part 1 & Part 2 on June 4, 2026

5:30 pm – 8:15 pm each night

Click here for more information & to register.

June 29, 2026

I Want to Purchase an Affordable Housing Unit-How Do I Begin?

6:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Click here for more information & to register.

CJHRC’s staff provide FREE counseling services visit our website at www.cjhrc.org  to learn more or contact a CJHRC counselor at 908-446-0036.

Branchburg Township Joins Community Recovery Champion Program

Submitted by Mike Mannion, Cic for Prevention and Recovery

Branchburg Township has officially joined the Community Recovery Champion (CRC) Program through CiC for Prevention and Recovery, marking another important step in expanding recovery support services across Somerset County.

The CRC Program is a community-based, peer-driven initiative designed to connect individuals and families impacted by substance use with local resources, support services, and recovery pathways. By embedding Certified Peer Recovery Specialists directly within municipalities, the program helps reduce stigma, increase access to care, and build stronger, recovery-friendly communities.

With Branchburg now part of the program, residents will have direct access to a dedicated Community Recovery Champion who can provide one-on-one peer support, assist with navigating treatment and recovery services, and offer harm reduction education. The program also works closely with local stakeholders, including law enforcement, municipal leaders, and community organizations, to ensure a coordinated and compassionate response to substance use challenges.

The addition of Branchburg reflects the continued growth of the CRC model across Somerset County, building on successful implementation in other municipalities such as Bridgewater and Bernards Township. Through outreach efforts, community engagement, and strong local partnerships, the program has already helped connect individuals to life-saving resources and long-term recovery support.

Residents, families, and community partners in Branchburg are encouraged to reach out to learn more about available services, collaborate on local initiatives, or explore ways to get involved in building a recovery-friendly community.

For more information about the Community Recovery Champion Program or to connect with services in Branchburg, please contact:

Mike Mannion
Community Recovery Champion

Lead Peer, The Franklin Twp Hub
CiC for Prevention and Recovery
mmannion@communityincrisis.org

Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services Hosts Public Hearing 

Employment Opportunities at the Office on Aging and Disability Services

Farmers Market Vouchers

The Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) promotes nutritional health among seniors 60 and older in New Jersey by providing them with a $40.00 voucher to purchase locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. To qualify for SFMNP the annual maximum income for a single individual is $29,526 and for a couple the maximum annual income is $40,034.

3 Senior Wellness Centers Celebrate Anniversaries

The Somerset County Senior Wellness Centers are a real asset for older adults across the county. Six locations — Basking Ridge, Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Montgomery, Somerset, and Warren — are open Monday through Friday, 9 to 4, making them easy to build into a weekly routine.

This is also a milestone year worth recognizing. Warrenbrook (Warren) and Quail Brook (Somerset) Senior Centers are celebrating 50 years of service to their communities, and the Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater is marking its 10th anniversary — a combined legacy of dedication that speaks for itself.

The programming covers a lot of ground: tai chi, mahjong, socialization, health and wellness programming among other things.  Lunch is served every weekday for a suggested donation of just $2.50 for anyone 60+, with menus developed by a registered dietitian to meet a third of daily nutritional needs for older adults.

What makes these centers stand out is how they connect members to real support.

Care managers from the Office on Aging and Disability Services are available to answer questions and link people to services they may qualify for but don't know about. Good food, good programming, good people — and tied directly into the county's aging services network. Hard to beat.

May Is Older Americans Month — Champion Your Health

Every May, we take time to recognize and celebrate older adults in our communities. This year's theme for Older Americans Month is Champion Your Health — and it's a message worth embracing. It's about prevention, wellness, and taking an active role in your own well-being, not waiting for a crisis to ask for help or make a change.

For those of us who work in aging services, that idea hits close to home. Every day we see people managing real challenges — chronic health conditions, fixed incomes, transportation barriers, the quiet weight of isolation. And every day we see people facing those challenges head-on, making decisions, asking questions, and doing what it takes to stay independent. That's what championing your health looks like in real life. It doesn't have to be dramatic. Sometimes it's just making the call.

If you or someone you care about is 60 or older and living in Somerset County, the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services can help. They offer information and referral, caregiver support, nutrition programs including home-delivered meals, transportation assistance, benefits counseling, and much more. You don't need to be in crisis to reach out — sometimes people just need to know what's out there.

Call 908-704-6346, or toll-free at 1-888-747-1122.

This May, take a step toward championing your health — or help someone you love take theirs.

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

Clinical Supervisor – CARE

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2026-037P806

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

Performance Improvement Coordinator

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2026-052P666

Recovery Support Specialist – STAR (G)

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2026-040J1126

Substance Use Counselor

https://careers.co.somerset.nj.us/view/2025-163J122

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