Office of the Director

The Union County Department of Human Services (DHS) seeks to deliver quality, cost effective programs and services that recognize and respond to the quality-of-life needs of residents by leveraging local, state and national resources.  The DHS serves as Union County’s social safety net for individuals and families.

Union County Community Needs Assessment Questionnaire

Union County is interested in better understanding the needs of the individuals and families in the County, and is requesting your input. We value the feedback of our residents, and are hoping that you will share your thoughts with us. This information will help us work to assess what services are needed, what improvements in services might be needed, and how the human service needs of Union County residents could be better met. Take the Survey online now.

UCDHS Action Line

888-845-3434
or 908-558-2288
Services for Seniors 888-280-8226

Listening. Advocating
#UCDHSaction

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that residents can call the new DHS Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288 for rapid, personal assistance with any question, complaint or concern about services provided by the Department of Human Services. An email option is also available at DHSaction@ucnj.org.  Learn more. En Espanol.

Division on Aging

The ADRC plans, implements and coordinates services for Union County residents age 60 and older. In addition to providing 23 congregate lunch sites throughout the County serving hot lunch on weekdays, The Division also arranges for an array of services including, but not limited to, home delivered meals, legal services, home health care, house-keeping, housing assistance, transportation, volunteer programs, adult day care, residential maintenance and caregiver services.

American Job Center

The American Job Center Operator manages the Union County American Job Centers, including the management and coordination of all workforce services with Union County workforce partners, as required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).  Services include career counseling, training, and career advancement for residents and employers. Organizationally under the Office of the Director

Children's Shelter

Address: 508 Westminster Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07208
Phone: 908-436-1955  |  Emergency: 908-482-7255

Services for youths needing temporary placement following a juvenile/family crisis, including youngsters with family conflict, truancy and runaway youth.

Cornerstone Behavioral Health Hospital of Union County

In-patient services for adults age 18 and older with a diagnosed mental illness.

Immunization Center

Office Director:  Farnia Bashaw, RN
Address: 40 Parker Road, Elizabeth, NJ 07207
Phone: 908-965-3868

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Last appointment is 4:00 pm

Established by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders (in 1996) to provide immunizations to eligible children (those without medical insurance) through the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. The VFC is administered by the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Immunization Program. The clinic is operated by the Division of Social Services, DHS.

Outreach and Advocacy

Division of Outreach and Advocacy

Maureen Segale-Glenn, Director
Phone: 908-527-4838

Elizabeth Sebring, Assistant Director
Phone: 908-527-4890

Fax: 908-527-4875

The mission of the Division of Outreach and Advocacy is to raise awareness among residents of Union County government’s existing programs and services; to advocate in response to our citizens’ unmet human service’s needs; and to respond to those needs with effective, accessible resources and services.  Through collaboration with other government agencies, community based organizations, and private sector entities, the division provides outreach, advocacy and information and referral services.

Paratransit and the Route 22 Shuttle

Countywide transportation for seniors, veterans, the disabled and other income eligible residents. Organizationally under the Office of the Director.

Individual & Family Support Services

Within the Division we provide a wide variety of county-wide human services or social/support service programs, through the most cost effective utilization of funding from County, State and Federal resources, by direct delivery of services or by funding community based organizations to deliver services.

We are responsible for grants management and/or direct service provision for the program areas of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, Mental Health Services, Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, Rape Crisis Center, Homeless Assistance/Support Services, and Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs.  The Division staffs various Freeholder appointed advisory boards that provide oversight and guidance for the various grant funded service delivery systems.

Within the Division there are 5 subdivisions/units: Office on the Homeless and Housing Continuum of Care, Office on Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse, Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, Rape Crisis Center and Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs.  More information about each area can be found on the various websites below:

Human Services Advisory Council

Office on the Homeless and Housing Continuum of Care Unit

Office on Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse

Intoxicated Driver Resource Center

Rape Crisis Center

Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs

Social Services

The Division of Social Services provides assistance to the needy in Union County by administering a variety of programs including free vaccinations for children, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); General Assistance; Food Stamps; Emergency Assistance; Family Care; Nursing Home Care; Medical Assistance; Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD); and, Child Support Services.

Preparing for Your Visit to the Division of Social Services

Youth Services