Month: September 2022

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Available for Union County residents starting September 24^th

The Union County Board of County Commissioners encourages all residents to get their seasonal flu shot as soon as possible this year. Free flu shots will be dispensed at clinics run by the Office of Health Management at locations throughout Union County beginning on Saturday, September 24^th. Persons with health insurance are advised to visit their local pharmacy or doctor’s office to receive their flu shot.

“Please protect yourself and your family, and help prevent unnecessary trips to a doctor or hospital emergency room by getting a free flu shot,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “Protection against seasonal flu is more important than ever before, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health experts are concerned that medical resources could be overwhelmed if a seasonal flu outbreak combines with the COVID-19 crisis.”

The free flu shot clinics are open to all Union County residents ages 9 and up. Children ages 4 through 8 can also use Union County’s free flu shot clinics if they have previously received 2 flu shots, in accordance with guidance from the CDC. Appointments are strongly encouraged, and residents can schedule an appointment online by visiting www.ucnj.org/flu or calling 908-613-7829. Walk-ups will be seen on a time-allowing basis.

This year, the free flu shot clinics will also be offering all formulations of the COVID-19 vaccine. As per the CDC, it is safe to receive both shots on the same day, if needed.

The following clinic dates have been scheduled:

• Saturday, September 24 at Plainfield High School
  • Plainfield
  • 9am-12pm
• Thursday, September 29 at Warinanco Sports Center
  • Roselle
  • 3-7pm
• Monday, October 3 at Shady Rest Golf Course
  • Scotch Plains
  • 3-6pm
• Saturday, October 15 at Linden Health Fair
  • Linden
  • 10am-1pm
• Monday, October 17 at Roselle Borough Hall
  • Roselle
  • Council Chambers
  • 4-7pm

Any Union County resident may visit any of these clinics, regardless of their town of residence. To prepare for a visit to Union County’s flu shot clinics, residents are advised to review the fact sheet issued by the CDC in English, Spanish, and other languages at https://www.immunize.org/vis/ (select “Influenza, inactivated” from the vaccine index).

Masks are required when visiting one of Union County’s clinics. Persons who have a fever, coughing, sneezing, or other signs of illness will not be admitted to a clinic site.

For additional updates, visit the “Upcoming Flu Drives” page on the County website, at ucnj.org/flu.

Children and adults in need of a variety of standard immunizations can visit Union County’s Immunization Center at 40 Parker Road in Elizabeth. Please note that there is no income eligibility requirement for the COVID-19 or seasonal flu vaccines. Other immunizations are available on an income-eligible basis. For more information, call the Immunization Center at (908) 965-3627 or (908)965-3868.

For all Union County programs and services, visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, (877) 424-1234, email info@ucnj.org, or use the online Contact Form.

 A Special Health Event Available to Residents Ages 60+ in Union Township

The Union County Department of Human Services and the Division on Aging invite residents ages 60 and older to “Brunch and Boost 2022”. This special event geared towards Union County’s senior residents will take place on Friday, September 30 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Union Township Senior Center, located at 652 Rahway Avenue in Union Township.

“Union County wants to provide access to healthy habits and proactive health care,” said County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “Brunch and Boost 2022 provides an excellent opportunity for our senior community to socialize and connect with local community partners. We encourage all eligible residents to come out and benefit from the vaccinations, health screenings and other offerings at this event.”

This event is free to attend and no registration is necessary.  Attendees will have access to the following, free of charge:

• The latest COVID-19 vaccines & boosters (ID Required)
• Blood pressure screenings
• Access to community programs and vendors providing information and connections to home care and legal services, home maintenance programs, etc.
• An indoor brunch buffet
• Special giveaways and raffles

For more information about “Brunch and Boost 2022”, contact the toll free number, 888-280-8226.

The Union County Division on Aging is tasked with connecting State, County and local government communities and residents through advocacy and innovation. It is the recognized lead agency for ADRC (Aging & Disability Resource Connection), the statewide system that coordinates access to services, care management and support services for older adults and the disabled. The office is part of Union County’s Department of Human Services and is responsible for leading the charge in providing information, referral and assistance to older adults, their caregivers, provider agencies and the general public who are in need of services and support. For more information, visit: or visit: ucnj.org/dhs/aging/.

To contact the Union County Department of Human Services, residents can use the online contact form at ucnj.org/dhs, email the DHS Action Line at DHSaction@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4847.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to participate in the Fall Fishing Derby for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs on Saturday, September 17^th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

The Fishing Derby is a free event welcome to all ages, but pre-registration is required. To register online visit Union County’s secure registration page at ucnj.org/opsn-reg or call 908-527-4781 for assistance.

“The Fishing Derby is a wonderful way to celebrate the last days of summer in our parks,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “We invite residents young and older to come and enjoy the outdoors at this fun community event.”

Chairs and fishing poles will be provided free of charge. Participants are also welcome to bring their own chairs and fishing gear.

The Fishing Derby is an event of the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, under the Division of Individual and Family Support Services of the Union County Department of Human Services. The Newark Bait and Fly Casting Club is co-sponsoring the event. They will organize contests and prizes will be awarded to participants.

The Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs partners with community centers, schools, colleges, YMCAs, businesses, support organizations and volunteer groups to present recreational events and  programs at county facilities as well as locations in various municipalities.

To register for other recreational events or programs provided by the office, visit ucnj.org/opsn-reg.

More information about the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs is available at ucnj.org/special-needs. To contact the office, use the online contact form or call the office at 908-527-4807 or 908-527-4781.

The Union County community is invited to honor the memory of the 60 residents who perished in the attacks on September 11, 2001, by visiting the Union County September 11th Memorial on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

The Memorial will be open from the morning hours until 9:00 p.m. on September 11. The Union County Sheriff’s Office will provide a uniformed Honor Guard standing watch at the memorial from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The public is invited to bring and light candles in memory of those lost in the attacks. The Union County Department of Parks and Recreation will also contribute candles to the memorial.

“We join together community in honor of our fellow Union County residents who perished in the attacks, and we remember the many acts of courage that occurred in the midst of a terrible national tragedy,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.

The Union County September 11th Memorial incorporates elements of design that include all three sites where attacks took place on September 11, 2001. Two girders recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center are arranged within a five sided area representing the Pentagon, and an Eternal Flame represents those who died in Pennsylvania along with members of the Armed Services and emergency responders.

In addition to these elements, the names of the 60 deceased Union County residents are etched into the memorial.

Union County worked with residents of Cranford, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, Union and Westfield to plan and build the Memorial.

Dedicated on Sept. 13, 2003, the memorial was constructed through private donations including in-kind work by labor unions and materials at cost. For more details visit ucnj.org/september-11th-memorial.

The memorial is located on a hill at the border of Mountainside and Springfield in Union County’s Echo Lake Park (view map), near the Springfield Avenue entrance at the eastern end of the park.

In recognition of September as National Suicide Prevention Month, the Union County Board of County Commissioners encourages residents to share messages of hope and raise awareness about resources for those in need of help.

National Suicide Prevention Month supports a global awareness-raising effort that impacts all communities. The International Association for Suicide Prevention states that “suicide ranks consistently among the top 20 causes of death globally across all age groups. One in every 100 deaths worldwide is the result of suicide.”

“As a community, we can all take part in suicide prevention, by helping to remove the stigma around suicide, being there for a family member or friend through their darkest moments, and taking actions that show we care,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.

September 10 is National Suicide Prevention Day. At 8:00 p.m. local time, individuals from all over the world are invited to light a candle near a window as an act of remembrance demonstrating support for suicide prevention, to remember a lost loved one, and for the survivors of suicide.

The International Association for Suicide Prevention has endorsed the theme of “Creating Hope through Action,” an optimistic approach that emphasizes sharing knowledge and taking simple, ordinary actions to help make a difference.

One important way to help is to raise awareness about the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This free 24/7 hotline can be reached by dialing, texting or chatting 988. The Lifeline connects callers with trained counselors and a network of more than 200 local crisis centers.

Numerous studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking with a Lifeline counselor.

Lifeline is a federal program run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It has been in operation since 2005 as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The program is now called the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to emphasize a renewed focus on accessibility. The three-digit 988 code is much easier to remember and dial, but callers can also continue to use the existing 10-digit number, 1-800-273-8255, to connect with Lifeline.

Please note that veterans can dial “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly with the Veterans Crisis Line. The Veterans Crisis Line can also be accessed by calling 1-800-273-8255 (then press 1), texting 1838255, or chatting at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat

More details about the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are available at 988lifeline.org. To see a list of local resources, visit ucnj.org/obhsa/resourceguide.