RESOURCES
Important Information and Community Resources
The New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development (DHS/DFD) works in partnership with service providers and other state and municipal agencies throughout the state to ensure and help families’ access quality programs and services that meet their needs. You can find many of the programs on the DHS website
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY 1-877-294-4356 to access any hotline: (voice callers use 7-1-1 NJ Relay)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Housing
Social Service for the Homeless (SSH)
www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/programs/ssh
Provides assistance to New Jersey residents who are at risk of homelessness, but are ineligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families welfare, General Assistance welfare or Supplemental Security Income
Community Hope
https://www.communityhope-nj.org/
Provices assistance to young adults and homeless veterans to assist as they continue their recovery from debilitating mental illness and substance abuse. Assisting in housing-plus-services for the mentally-ill and the Hope for Veterans Program.
Income
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Federal: 1-800-929-1040 / State: 1-888-895-8179 or www.NJEITC.org
EITC - is a federal and state tax credit benefit for individuals and families who earn low-to moderate incomes in NJ.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
1-800-510-3102 or https://www.nj.gov/dca/dhcr/offices/hea.shtml
The Home Energy Assistance Program helps very low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills, and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program.
Work First New Jersey (WFNJ)
1-800-792-9773 or www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/programs/workfirstnj
The state's welfare reform program provides temporary cash assistance and many other support services to families through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and to individuals and couples with no dependent children, through the General Assistance (GA) program.
Food
NJ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP)
1-800-687-9512 or www.NJSNAP.org
NJ SNAP is New Jersey's supplemental nutritional assistance program that can help low-income families buy the groceries they need to eat healthy. To apply online visit https://oneapp.dhs.state.nj.us
New Jersey WIC
https://www.nj.gov/health//fhs/wic/
WIC is a preventive public health nutrition program that provides nutrition and breastfeeding education, nutritious foods, and improved access to regular health care and social services to low and moderate-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and young children with, or at risk of developing nutrition-related health problems.
Childcare
Child Care in New Jersey
1-800-332-9227
Child Care In New Jersey - Home (childcarenj.gov)
For Provider Search www.childcarenj.gov/Provider-Search
Connects families to the local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies to help families determine if they are eligible for New Jersey’s Subsidy Program, find and locate quality child care services and other child care options.
Child Support Hotline
1-877-NJ KIDS1 (1-877-655-4371) or www.njchildsupport.org
Any individual can apply for all the available child support services.
Department of Education Pre-K Programs
The focus of the Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE) is to enhance social, emotional, physical, and academic development of New Jersey's children -- preschool through third grade -- by providing leadership, resources, and professional development in support of high-quality early childhood programs within a comprehensive, collaborative program.
Early Intervention Services (Birth to Age Three)
1-888-653-4463 or www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/
The New Jersey Early Intervention System (NJEIS), under the Division of Family Health Services, for infants and toddlers, birth to age three, with developmental delays or disabilities, and their families.
Early Intervention Services (Over Age Three)
1-800-322-8174 or www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/
New Jersey Early Intervention System Project Child Find – Assist families of preschoolers ages 3 through 5 concerned about their child’s development.
Grow NJ Kids, New Jersey’s Quality Rating Improvement System, is New Jersey’s program to raise the quality of child care and early learning across the state.
Head Start
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/
The Office of Head Start (OHS) promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from birth to age 5. Use the link above to locate Head Start near you.
Home Visitation Services
609-888-7400 or http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/families/early/visitation/
Home Visitation provides helpful information and support to pregnant woman, new mothers or fathers, or other caregivers in the comfort and privacy of their home to ensure that babies and young children grow up healthy, happy and safe.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
http://idea.ed.gov
Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families can receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) can receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
Health
NJ FamilyCare
1-800-701-0710 (TTY: 1-800-701-0720) or www.njfamilycare.org
New Jersey's publicly funded health insurance program - includes CHIP, Medicaid and Medicaid expansion populations. That means qualified NJ residents of any age may be eligible for free or low cost health insurance that covers doctor visits, prescriptions, vision, dental care, mental health and substance use services and even hospitalization.
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation's goal is to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015, and to empower kids nationwide to make healthy lifestyle choices. Founded in 2005 by the American Heart Association and William J. Clinton Foundation, the Alliance works to positively affect the places that can make a difference in a child's health: homes, schools, doctor's offices, and communities.
Autism New Jersey
Autism New Jersey provides information, advocacy services, family and professional education, and consultation to those caring for a loved one with Autism.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Adolescent and School Health)
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a section on their website dedicated to Adolescent and School Health. It's goal is to promote the health and well-being of children and adolescents to enable them to become healthy and productive adults.
Mental Health
Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ)
866-202-4357 (TTY 877-294-4356) or https://www.mhanj.org/
Provides free, confidential mental health information and referral hotline that connects callers to mental health and substance abuse services including: - Inpatient and outpatient services (for both mental health and substance abuse) - Rehabilitation services - Self-help service - Legal - Housing - Employment - Mental health education
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Designated county Crisis Screening Center for anyone experiencing an urgent mental health problem. There is a mobile response team available to provide services to clients at home or at the site of the crisis. Short-term intervention, de-escalation and stabilization, psychiatric evaluation, nurse assessment, and then information and referral to community-based services and access to inpatient hospitalization
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
800-273-8255 or Spanish Helpline 888-628-9454 SMS 988
Offers suicide prevention services to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The number automatically redirects callers to a local crisis center. A trained crisis worker will listen to the caller and provide them with crisis counseling and emotional support, as well as information about mental health services in the area, if needed.
Atlantic Health System - Overlook Hospital
908-522-3586 or https://www.atlantichealth.org/conditions-treatments/behavioral-health/crisis-intervention.html
Provides a 24-hour hotline service that connects individuals with psychiatric emergency services, a screening center, connecting services, and assistance during community traumas.
Substance Use
Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ)
866-202-4357 (TTY 877-294-4356) or https://www.mhanj.org/
Provides free, confidential mental health information and referral hotline that connects callers to mental health and substance abuse services including: - Inpatient and outpatient services (for both mental health and substance abuse) - Rehabilitation services - Self-help service - Legal - Housing - Employment - Mental health education
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Designated county Crisis Screening Center for anyone experiencing an urgent mental health problem. There is a mobile response team available to provide services to clients at home or at the site of the crisis. Short-term intervention, de-escalation and stabilization, psychiatric evaluation, nurse assessment, and then information and referral to community-based services and access to inpatient hospitalization
Prevention Links
Provides various substance use prevention programs, school-based youth programs, parenting workshops, and family success centers.
Other Resources
Hotlines and Helplines
The Department of Children and Families funds various programs throughout the state to help and strengthen families.
At this site you can find links to these programs along with links to other State agencies that offer assistance to families. Please visit DCF | Hotlines and Helplines (nj.gov). If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please call 1-877-294-4356 TTY to access any hotline.
NJ 2-1-1
Just dial 2-1-1 or www.nj211.org
2-1-1 is a convenient way to assist individual’s access information or self-screen for many of programs supported by DHS/DFD. It will prompt you to answer a few questions about your household, income and other expenses which will then identify other programs for which you may qualify.
NJ Parent Link
The focus of NJ Parent Link is to meet the information and resource needs of expectant parents, families with young children (newborns to children entering kindergarten) and professional stakeholders vested in the health and well-being of New Jersey's children and families. Parenting and support resources for families with older children, school aged to young adulthood, are also available.
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN)
1-800-654-SPAN or www.spanadvocacy.org
SPAN is an independent organization committed to empowering families as advocates and partners in improving education, health, and mental health outcomes for infants, toddlers, children and youth.
Union Resource Net
https://www.unionresourcenet.org/
Resources for Children and Families in Union County, NJ