Ingram around thE JErSEy ShorE County Allocating $25M Federal American Rescue Plan Funds

By Chris Lundy

OCEAN COUNTY – A public hearing to explain how the county is going to use $25 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds will be held on February 7 at 11 a.m. in Room 119 of the Ocean County Administration Building, Hooper Avenue, Toms River.

The spending plan is expected to be approved during the next meeting of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, which takes place on February 15 at 4 p.m. in the same building.

The American Rescue Plan was passed during the previous session of Congress and it was designed to assist populations hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The county is implementing the Housing Insecurities and Homelessness Services project which will provide temporary housing, fiscal aid, and other services to those at risk of homelessness. Some of the aid could take the form of such things as temporary rental assistance, security deposits, rental application fees, or moving expenses.

Another change will be the Eviction, Foreclosure, and Homelessness Prevention Legal Services Program. This is geared to help seniors who are at risk of foreclosures stay in their homes.

The county’s Aging and Disability Resource Center program will be expanded, offering more help to disabled seniors and young adults.

A Benefits Navigator will be created so that residents can find what they need easier.

Other funds will be assigned to mental and behavioral health. A lot of people are suffering the loss of loved ones and there are increases in suicide and drug overdose incidents. Grief and trauma programs will be put into place.

“The County understands that addressing mental health issues calls for specialized skills,” according to the draft funding plan. “As such, the intelligent selection of professional partners offering behavioral health

United

care expertise, case management, and links to services is paramount.”

A program called On Point will aim to divert people experiencing mental illness from entering the criminal justice system.

“With so many people, including children and teenagers, now suffering with negative mental and behavioral health impacts, and others struggling to get back on their feet financially, a large percentage of the funds will go to updated initiatives and expansion of current services to help our residents,” said Ocean County Commissioner Gary Quinn, who serves as a liaison to the Ocean County Finance Department along with Commissioner John P. Kelly. “After a thorough review of how the funds can be used, it was determined these are areas along with assisting our municipalities, that needed our response.

“While Ocean County has many social services and human services programs available for our citizens, this will add an additional layer of help to those residents that need it,” said Commissioner Quinn. “Clearly, the pandemic highlighted many areas of concern that need to be addressed further.”

Other Plans

The plan also includes funds for the boroughs of Ship Bottom and Beach Haven for needed infrastructure upgrade projects and for the towns along the northern barrier island from Berkeley Township to Point Pleasant Beach to cover the local costs for a needed beach renourishment project.

“Ocean County will continue to carefully review the priorities affecting our residents,” said Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari. “This proposed plan is the first step in allocating the federal funds we anticipate receiving.”

The draft plan is available for review on the Ocean County government website at co.ocean.nj.us

Way Of Monmouth

DEAL – United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties’ 2023 Annual Tee-Off Driving Change for Our Community will be on May 8 at Hollywood Golf Club 510 Roseld Avenue in Deal.

Check-in begins at 10:30 a.m. Please pre-register. Shotgun start is at 12:30

And

Ocean Counties’ 2023 Annual Tee-Off p.m. Questions? Contact Bill Kelly at bkelly@uwmoc.org or 848-206-2036.

Thank you for your support and helping to advance our mission to bridge the gaps to education, financial stability and health for every person in our community.

God Bless America! The American Flag flies over the Barnegat Bay in Long Beach Island. This photo was taken by Jo Lucas. It’s an amazing shot. Whether you are a pro or someone with a smartphone, we want your pix for our Photo of the Week! Email them to photos@jerseyshoreonline.com and you could win a prize!

Ocean County Nail Salon Fined For Disability Discrimination

By Alyssa Riccardi

damages to the individual complainant.

POINT

PLEASANT

– A local nail salon has to pay $1,000 in damages after allegedly refusing nail services to wheelchair users, officials said.

According to state officials, a settlement was reached with USA Nails Inc. of Point Pleasant after a report alleged they were discriminating against persons with mobility impairments and those using a wheelchair.

The settlement states that USA Nails Inc. agreed to adopt and post in a conspicuous place a non-discrimination policy, to train current and future employees on the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as to pay $1,000 in

“Disability discrimination violates the ADA and cannot be tolerated,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. “This agreement ensures that customers will not be turned away from receiving nail services simply because they happen to have a disability.”

Individuals who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may file a complaint with the U.S Attorney’s Office at justice.gov/usao-nj/ civil-rights-enforcement/complaint Additional information about the ADA can be found at ada.gov, or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at 800-514-0301 and 800-514-0383.

Sting’s “My Songs” Tour Returns To Hard Rock

ATLANTIC CITY – The Cherrytree Music Company and Live Nation have confirmed that Sting will perform a special My Songs concert at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City on September 3. Tickets are now on sale.

Sting’s My Songs concert is an exuberant and dynamic show featuring his most beloved songs, written throughout the 17-time Grammy Award winner’s illustrious career both with The Police and as a solo artist. Following a sold out six-night residency at the London Palladium, My Songs was hailed “a masterclass” by The Times; “Sting re - mains an undeniably skilled performer with a gold-plated back catalogue.” A musical journey taking in hits like ‘Fields of Gold,’ ‘Shape of my Heart,’ ‘Roxanne’ and ‘Demolition Man,’ the concert was described as “a rare treat” by The Telegraph and saw Sting praised as “near peerless” by The Guardian with “sublime pop alchemy.” Fans can also expect to hear ‘Englishman In New York,’ ‘Every Breath You Take,’ ‘Message In A Bottle’ and many more. Tickets are available at HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com , Ticketmaster.com and 800-745-3000.

The Jackson Times welcomes your special announcements! Engagements, Weddings, Births, Birthday Wishes, etc. Please call 732-657-7344 for more details!