Murphy

TRENTON – As part of his efforts to address youth mental health needs both at the state and national levels, Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill (A-3334) expanding expenses that New Jersey’s K-12 public schools may be reimbursed for in regards to behavioral health services that are provided to students and their families who are Medicaid recipients.

“It’s undeniable that many young people are facing mental health challenges right now and would benefit from the support of compassionate, trained professionals,” said Governor Murphy.

“Through the work of my Administration, in collaboration with local, state, and national partners, we are taking decisive action to address the mental health needs of our youth. By ensuring schools will be reimbursed for the provision of behavioral health care services to students covered by Medicaid, this legislation will advance our ongoing efforts to expand affordability and access to the mental health support New Jersey children need.”

The Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) within the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) and its contracted managed care organizations will be responsible for reimbursing local education agencies for the provision of behavioral health services covered under Medicaid to students who are eligible Medicaid beneficiaries. This builds upon the impact of programs like the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI), in which public school districts are reimbursed a portion of the costs associated with providing health-related services to Medicaid-eligible students in their special education programs. The covered services offered either in-person or via telehealth must be provided by either a licensed medical practitioner or local education agency approved as a Medicaid provider. Schools are allowed to submit a request for reimbursement through Medicaid if they are unable to be reimbursed through a legally liable third party.

With this authority, DHS will begin seeking federal approvals for this program. Once the program is approved over the course of the next few years, DMAHS, along with the New Jersey Departments of Education and Treasury, will assist schools in implementing a plan to submit Medicaid claims for reimbursement for these services.

“In the midst of a youth mental health crisis, ease of access to emotional, behavioral, and mental health supports and services are critical to youth wellbeing and parent peace of mind,” said Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer. “The ability to expand these services into schools through Medicaid reimbursement reduces barriers to students accessing support delivered by their district. Services provided through DCF’s Children’s System of Care have long been on the Medicaid platform, and expansion of that coverage to district-driven mental health services helps to enhance the existing continuum for students and their families.”

“Howell Police Text-a-Tip” Digital Community Crime Prevention Program

HOWELL – “Howell Police Text-a-Tip” is a technology program that allows concerned Howell Township residents, business owners and visitors to easily, quickly and anonymously provide information about non-emergency criminal or suspicious activity such as personal, property and drug crimes to the Howell Township Police Department, without exposing their personal identities or information.

P3 Tips is not monitored 24/7 and is not for emergencies or crises. Any emergency or crisis situation must be reported by calling 9-1-1.

To report a non-emergency tip, simply go to p3tips.com online or download the P3Tips app in App Store or Google Play and follow the prompts from there.

P3 Tips encourages citizens to actively participate in keeping their community safe, similar to programs such as Crime Stoppers and Neighborhood Watch. Should responding police officers need more information, they can establish direct dialogue with the tipster via P3 Tips push notifications and real-time chat. Tipsters are also able to upload relevant photos, videos, audio recordings, and documents.

Since its 2017 launch in Howell, P3 Tips has been sponsored annually by the Howell Alliance. The Howell Alliance collaborates across the community to prevent substance abuse, underage drinking and marijuana use, alcoholism, tobacco/ nicotine use, vaping, and other at-risk behaviors. Howell Alliance stakeholders include law enforcement, educators, town officials, businesses, civic organizations, and concerned citizens.

Kenya Mission Trip Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

HOWELL – Kenya Mission Trip Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser will be on July 30 at 3 p.m., at the Howell Elks Lodge #2515. Tickets available at the door - $10 per person and includes spaghetti with meatballs, salad, beverage, dessert, and three tickets for the Tricky Tray!

Jesus made his instructions very clear; love one another! For that reason, we are excited to share with you an opportunity that Jimmy Guierro has accepted. He has been chosen to go on a mission trip to Nakuru, Kenya in August! During his time in Kenya, he will be serving alongside Groundbreakers NJ and Metro Church in Kenya. Their mission trip will include feeding children, visiting orphanages and schools, bringing supplies to both women’s and men’s prisons in Kenya, rescuing women enslaved in prostitution and most importantly sharing the gospel with the people in Nakuru in hopes of seeing lives come to know Christ as their personal Savior.

The total cost of the trip is $3,000. This will cover his airfare, ground transportation and lodging. In addition, the cost of an injection that will free a child from the worms that often live under their skin is about 1 cent! The cost of “purchasing” a woman sold on the sex trafficking market is about $20. Any gift you can give would be greatly appreciated. Please help him to help them!

Life Line Screening

HOWELL – Life Line Screening, the nation’s leading provider of preventive health screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings on October 20 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church LCMS. A package of four screenings to identify cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions will be offered:

• Carotid artery ultrasound that scans the carotid arteries for buildup of fatty plaqueone of the leading causes of strokes.

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound screening for an abdominal aneurysm that could lead to a ruptured aorta.

• Heart Rhythm Screening (AFIB) A quick and easy test using a 6-lead EKG placed on the arms and legs to identify the presence or absence of an irregular heartbeat.

• Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening-Evaluates for PAD in the lower extremities, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Schedule your appointment today and receive special package pricing. Register by calling 1-800-690-6495, text the word “circle” to 216-279-1607, or register online at llsa.social/HC.

Summer Safety Tips

HOWELL – With summer in full swing, the Howell Township Bureau of Fire Prevention reminds everyone to keep the following tips in mind so you and your families can enjoy a safe summer.

•Attend public fireworks displays put on by professionals.

• Propane, and charcoal grills should be used outdoors and away from buildings and other combustible materials. Place coals in a noncombustible container to dispose of in the event hot embers remain.

• Swim with a buddy and never leave children unattended in the water.

•Assign a designated lookout while swimmers are in the water.

• Have a phone available in the event you need to dial 9-1-1 and know the address of the location you are spending time at.

Howell Farmers Market

HOWELL – The 2023 Farmers Market Season has kicked off at their new location, Echo Lake Park! The regular Market Season this year is every Sunday until October 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is a rain or shine market, they do make exceptions for weather that would be unsafe for the vendors or shoppers.

More information can be found at twp.howell. nj.us/555/Howell-Farmers-Market-Association.

Educator Named National Title

FREEHOLD – Congratulations to Freehold Township High School’s Angello Villarreal, Ed.D. for being named the 2022 Emerging PDS Leader by the National Association for Professional Development Schools, as well as an Emerging Leader by both ASCD and by American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)!

Dr. Villarreal also received a letter of congratulations from Governor Murphy in recognition of his achievements.