Category: Public Info

Project wins Audrey Nelson award for best practices in community development

l. to r. at Ribbon cutting for  Union County Child Advocacy Center last October: Senator Raymond Lesniak, Victor Richel of Union County College, Senator Tom Kean Jr., Union County Prosecutor Ted Romankow, Assistant Union County Prosecutor John Esmerado, Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, Freeholder Daniel Sullivan, and Union County Improvement Authority Chairman Anthony Scutari

WASHINGTON D.C.—The Union County Child Advocacy Center, which moved in October to a new location to serve residents of the county who are victims of and affected by child abuse and sex crimes, has won the National Community Development Association’s Audrey Nelson award for best practices in community development.

The National Community Development Association established the Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award to recognize outstanding uses of the Community Development Block Grant Program and partnerships between local governments and nonprofit organizations to assist low- and moderate-income persons. Audrey Nelson was the first Deputy Executive Secretary of NCDA. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders had authorized the use of $250,000 in CDBG funds for the project.

NCDA is a non-partisan national nonprofit membership organization that represents local governments which administer federally supported community, economic development and affordable housing programs. Union County Manager Alfred J. Faella currently serves as the Vice President for NCDA.

Located at 240-242 West Jersey St. in Elizabeth, the Child Advocacy Center is a satellite office of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. The structure consists of a three-story 11,000 square foot Victorian-era home; the structure itself is more than 100 years old.

Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow and Assistant Prosecutor John Esmerado have worked for more than a decade to conceptualize, plan, develop and build the new Child Advocacy Center.

The Child Advocacy Center and its multi-disciplinary team offer legal, investigative, therapeutic, medical and child protective services to children from newborns to 17 years of age, who report child maltreatment. The Prosecutor’s Office, Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly referred to as DYFS) jointly investigate more than 500 cases a year of child sexual abuse, physical abuse and maltreatment. The Child Advocacy Center receives approximately 2,000 visitors annually including families, police, teachers and witnesses.

“There are few things worse than child abuse,” said Romankow. “I have long been impressed by the hard work ethic and passion demonstrated by the staff with such sensitive investigations.”

In the spring of 2010, Union County entered into a Shared Services Agreement with the Union County Improvement Authority for the purposes of financing and managing the construction of the $3 million project.

“This is not just any building, this is not just a project. This is all about saving the lives of children and giving them another chance in life,” said Union County Improvement Authority Chairman Charlotte DeFilippo. “We are proud to support this effort.”

In addition, the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, was created to help raise additional funding.

“This Freeholder Board takes pride in supporting this advocacy center that advocates for children who need it the most,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

The center houses 26 full time staff, including investigator from the Prosecutor’s Office, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, mental health staff from Trinitas Regional Medical Center, and nursing staff from Runnells Specialized Hospital of Union County.

The center employs an advanced, efficient “wrap around” service model that brings together all existing child abuse services from multiple locations to a single location, providing professional assistance to child abuse survivors such as interviews, intake, medical examination and mental health intake evaluation and counseling, said Romankow. This wrap around service model significantly truncates investigation and treatment from  days to hours.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to offer special February Festivities programming at Trailside Nature & Science Center during the Presidents Day holiday weekend, February 16-18.  Pre-registration is required for most programs. Call Trailside for space availability: 908-789-3670. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits.

“All of the programs during February Festivities give families an opportunity to enjoy creative and interactive programs that will teach, entertain and delight children,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Union County is committed to providing affordable family fun at our parks and facilities.”

On Saturday, Feb. 16, at 10 a.m. families can learn how to build the “Perfect Campfire.” Working together, each family will collect tinder and kindling that they will use to make a decorative fire starter kit to take home. Then put your new found knowledge to work as we light our own campfire and enjoy sipping hot cocoa and toasting marshmallows.

Highlighting the festivities on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. magician Joe Fischer will astound, baffle, delight, thrill and entertain the audience with his “Fantasy, Illusion and Magic” performance. Mr. Fischer has an outstanding rapport with children. His ability to communicate on their level makes this a show of real magic! The matinee is recommended for ages 4 and older and admission is $5 per person. Tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m. before the matinee. No strollers in the auditorium, please.

Later on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 3:30 p.m. see how 100 percent real maple syrup is made from the sap of a sugar maple tree in “The Journey of Sap to Syrup.” Find out what equipment is needed to collect sap and take part in a taste test to see if you can identify the real thing. “Sap to Syrup” is repeated on Monday, Feb. 18, at 1:30 p.m.

Take a walk outside in search of buck rubs, animal tracks, nibbled twigs and other signs that tell us our animal neighbors have been by. Then enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows around a campfire in “Animal Clue Scavenger Hunt” on Monday, Feb. 18, at 3:00 p.m.

Programs are recommended for families with children ages 5 and older unless otherwise specified. The fee for Perfect Campfires is $6 per person for residents of Union County and $7 per person for out-of-county participants. The fee for The Journey of Sap to Syrup and Animal Clue Scavenger Hunt is $5 per person for Union County residents and $6 per person for out-of-county participants.

For additional information about programs offered at Trailside during February Festivities or any upcoming programs and special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

-end-

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

l. to r. Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, holding program, and  Julie Lange Groth, Resource Center Director.

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, a resident of Cranford, recently attended an event titled “Harvesting the Rain: Green Infrastructure for a Healthier Rahway Watershed,” at the Cranford Community Center. The event was sponsored by  the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions and focused on improvements to storm water management.  (PHOTO BY BRANDON GIVENS, COUNTY OF UNION)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter (L) and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd R) speak with Donia Fahim (2nd L) and Deborah Stein of Autism Friendly Spaces before a live performance of Seussical at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. The performance was specially designed for children with autism and related disabilities as part of the Sensory Friendly Theater series sponsored by the Freeholder Board.

The next Sensory Friendly Theatre performance is Pinocchio performed by the NJ Ballet on Sunday, March 10 at 2p.m.  Tickets may be purchased on line at www.ucpac.org or by calling the box office at 732-499-8226.  All seats are $8.00.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

The Union County Department of Human Services welcomes qualified applicants for its Home Health Aide training program from April 8 to May 8. The training sessions will be held at Jewish Family Services, 655 Westfield Avenue in Elizabeth, Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, U.S. citizens or other eligible persons, and proficient in English. Applicants must also be physically able to lift patients as needed, assist patients with limited mobility and perform other related care.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are certified as Home Health Aides by the New Jersey State Board of Nursing.

Space in the training program is limited and is based on a qualifying interview. The interview period begins in March.

To schedule an interview and to get more information about the program including registration and certification fees, call Donna Farrell at the Union County Department of Human Services, 908-527-4858.

For information about all Union County services for senior adults, call the Department of Human Services Division on Aging toll free, 888-280-8226 or visit the Union County website at ucnj.org.

##

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Classes for New Softball Umpires Begin Feb. 19

ELIZABETH, NJ – Men and women who enjoy the game of softball can be a part of the game by becoming certified Amateur Softball Association softball umpires. The Greater Union County ASA Softball Umpires Association, in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, will conduct its annual softball umpires training program beginning Tuesday, February 19.

After the initial meeting, the umpire training classes will take place from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday evenings from Feb. 25 through April 1 at the Union County Administration Building on Elizabethtown Plaza at Rahway Avenue in Elizabeth. The cost of this six-week umpiring course is $150. The classes are open to men and women, 18 years of age and older, who are interested in umpiring softball games.

For more information and registration details, please contact the Union County, New Jersey Amateur Softball Association office of  Joe Massaro at (732) 558-3375, email: commissioner@asasoftballucnj.org; or Bill Smith at (908) 259-0154, email: willsmith43@comcast.net; or you can log on to: www.asasoftballucnj.org.

– END –

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County, NJ- Union County residents are invited to take part in “MyPlate Makeovers,” a seminar on the importance of following MyPlate guidelines to promote healthy eating habits. The two-hour seminar, developed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, will be held Wednesday, February 13, from 7pm to 9pm in the county services building located at 300 North Ave East in Westfield.

Sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders,  MyPlate Makeovers aims to educate participants on how make healthy meals a part of their total lifestyle by showing them how to prepare enjoyable meals that are low in fat, salt and sugar content.

To register, please contact Judi Laganga at the extension offices at 908-654-9854 or via email atjlaganga@ucnj.org by Friday, Feb 8.  A $5 fee will be collected at the door and pre-registration is required.

MyPlate is the USDA’s food guidance system comprised of the MyPlate symbol and other materials to help Americans make healthy food choices and to be active every day. It is designed to remind Americans to eat healthfully and illustrates the five food groups using a familiar mealtime visual, a place setting.

For more information on the MyPlate food guidance system, visit http://www.choosemyplate.gov.

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

“Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 732-932-5000, ext. 584.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce “Get Your Garden Growing,” a full day of workshops aimed at helping school and civic groups make their community gardens a success. The event is scheduled for Saturday, February 23 at the County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

All of the workshops are led by experts from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County.

“Community gardening is a healthy, educational activity that enriches civic life, and this is a great chance to get reliable guidance from experts who have amassed a wonderful store of gardening experience right here in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

The workshops will cover all the basics of planning and tending a community garden as well as container gardening, rainwater harvesting, safe soil practices for gardening in urban and suburban areas, learning experiences for youngsters, and using gardens to improve nutrition.

The fee for the workshop is $15 (including lunch) and pre-registration is required by February 13. To register or to get more information, contact Judi Laganga at the Extension, 908-654-9854 or  jlaganga@ucnj.org.

##

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law. Rutgers Cooperative Extension encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you need special accommodations, have questions about physical access, or require alternate means for program information, please contact your local Extension Office. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a special program for adults, 18 and older, at Trailside Nature and Science Center on Friday evening, February 15. “The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln,” a dramatization and lecture by Bob Gleason, will usher in Presidents Day weekend from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The program is made possible in part by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. Pre-registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome as space permits. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Bob Gleason has been with the American Historical Theatre since 1991. Since that time he has been featured at the White House Visitors’ Center, Ford’s Theatre, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institute and other national institutions. His four-octave talents have made him a popular dramatist at schools and museums, as well as a good will ambassador touring the United States and Germany.

“We are proud to offer such premier talent for this portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, as part of the 2013 Winter Adult Program Series at Trailside,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “We hope that many people will enjoy this engaging and enlightening historical presentation.”

Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, was a revered leader and team builder. Bob Gleason will bring the depth of Lincoln’s character to light, as we discover the personal side of this historic figure. The program covers Lincoln’s formative years, his courtship and marriage, the beginnings and development of his abolitionist views, and his first, not very successful trip to Congress. Discussion points include the causes of the Civil War, major events and turning points of the war, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Gettysburg Address.

For additional information about “The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln,” or other adult programs or upcoming events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

– end –

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .