Funds Will Reinforce Social Services Programs and Continue to Assist New Jerseyans鈥� Personal Recovery Efforts
鈥淭he physical rebuilding of structures and the removal of debris are just one part of New Jersey鈥檚 efforts to recover from Superstorm Sandy,鈥� said Governor Chris Christie. 鈥淎nother stage of that recovery is the healing process, which many of our impacted residents have been undergoing over the last eight months through social services programs available to them. New Jersey will use these grant funds to reinforce our social services infrastructure so that we can continue to support Sandy survivors鈥� ongoing personal recovery efforts.鈥澨�The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act provided about $500 million to five states for expenses related to recovery and rebuilding. New Jersey received almost half of the total allotment. SSBG funds are designed to address necessary expenses resulting from Superstorm Sandy, including social, health, and behavioral health services, as well as the repair, renovation and rebuilding of health care, child care and other social services facilities.听听听
DHS will focus its portion of the award on providing statewide clinical behavioral health services, child care vouchers to families whose services were disrupted, repair to child care provider centers damaged by Superstorm Sandy and housing location assistance to residents displaced and in search of alternate rental options.听
鈥淭he SSBG supplemental funding is critical to preserving the social services safety net in the areas most impacted by Superstorm Sandy,鈥� said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez. 鈥淚n the months and years to come, these services will be essential to rebuilding and restoring residents鈥� very basic needs in storm recovery.鈥澨�
DCF will focus on preventing instances of child abuse exacerbated by Sandy; prevention of domestic violence and exploitation exacerbated by Sandy; and building resiliency and supporting recovery such as expanding access to mental health services for children.听
鈥淒CF鈥檚 long-term recovery plan is a comprehensive approach that will not only support and strengthen families and address the needs of children in the aftermath of the storm, but will also have a cascading effect on many other aspects of our state鈥檚 recovery,鈥� said DCF Commissioner Allison Blake. 鈥淪afe children and strong families are the backbone of a strong New Jersey.鈥澨�
鈥淭he Department of Health will use this funding to help New Jersey residents prevent and mitigate post-storm environmental health issues,鈥� said Health Commissioner Mary E. O鈥橠owd. 鈥淲orking with our health care and public health partners, the Department will educate the public and conduct surveillance of West Nile Virus and health hazards in homes such as mold and lead.鈥澨�
Services funded by the SSBG supplemental will complement other recovery efforts underway through the听Community Development Block Grant Action Plan.听
