The goal of the Division of Community Services is to provide financial, as well as technical assistance to community based organizations thus enabling them to address the unmet needs of the community and improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable citizens of Mercer County.

The Division of Community Services contains five offices: Aging and Nutrition, Child Care and Neighborhood Centers, Disabled, Homeless, and Youth Services. 

The target population includes children, youth, seniors, the homeless and the disabled, and we serve individuals and families who reside in Mercer County.  Services include information and referral, education, legal services, emergency assistance (e.g. housing and homelessness), nutrition, after school & summer day camp programs, senior and neighborhood centers, youth programs, programming for the disabled community, advocacy and a broad range of other human services. 

Main Contact Number for Mercer County Division of Community Services:

609-989-6982

E Mail Contacts for Mercer County Division of Community Services:

Office on Aging and Nutrition

Eileen Doremus (Aging)        edoremus@mercercounty.org 

Office on Child Care and Neighborhood Centers

Kimberly Sentek                  ksentek@mercercounty.org

Office on Disability Services

Thomas E. Shaw                  tshaw@mercercounty.org

Office on Homeless Services

Beth Risoldi                         brisoldi@mercercounty.org

Office on Youth Services

The Mercer County Division of Community Services works hand in hand in compliance with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) in administering the Mercer County CSBG (Community Service Block Grant) Program to County-wide residents who meet income-eligible guidelines as set forth by NASCSP’s Federal Poverty Guidelines.  Eligible clients will receive case management for comprehensive social service programs which include: emergency food assistance, information & referral, employment services, income maintenance, health, nutrition and general services, and youth programs.  Services are provided at four County-wide Neighborhood Centers.  (Please see list and contacts below)

In Mercer County, the concept of neighbors working together to help each other in their community is a cornerstone of community development. Funding community-based organizations to develop and maximize services and resources for low income clients is a key step in leading clients and communities towards self-sufficiency.

Presently, as a result of President Obama’s Federal Stimulus Package, client income eligibility requirements for the CSBG Program have increased from 125% to “up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level”.

CSBG Program Income Guidelines for 2009 (as of 2/18/09):

Family Size	100%	125%	150%	175%	185%	200%	225%
1	10,830	13,538	16,245	18,953	20,036	21,660	24,368
2	14,570	18,213	21,855	25,498	26,955	29,149	32,783
3	18,570	22,888	27,465	32,043	33,874	36,620	41,198
4	22,050	27,563	33,075	38,588	40,793	44,100	49,613
5	25,790	32,238	38,685	45,133	47,712	51,580	58,028
6	29,530	36,913	44,295	51,678	54,631	59,060	66,443
7	33,270	41,588	49,295	58,223	61,550	66,540	74,858
8	37,010	46,263	55,515	64,768	68,469	74,020	83,273
Each Additional Member	3,740	4,675	5,610	6,545	6,919	7,480	8,415

Concerned Citizens of Ewing, Inc.
620 Hollowbrook Dr.
PO Box 5684
Trenton, NJ 08638
Executive Director: Lawanda Palmer
Telephone: 882-0856
FAX: 883-9863
e-Mail: ccofewing@yahoo.com

Rise
116 North Main St.
PO Box 88
Hightstown, NJ 08520
Executive Director: Leslie Koppel
Telephone: 443-4464
FAX: 443-4866
e-Mail: info@rise-community-services.org
John O. Wilson Hamilton Twp. Neighborhood Service Center
169 Wilfred Ave.
Trenton, NJ 08610
Executive Director: Gloria Stephens
Telephone: 393-6480
FAX: 393-1230
e-Mail: jowilson@optonline.net 

HomeFront, Inc. (Lawrence Community Center)
295 Eggerts Crossing Rd.
Lawrence, NJ 08648
Executive Director: Christine L. Lee
Telephone: 989-9417 Ext. 134
FAX: 989-9423
e-Mail: ChrisitneL@homefrontnj.org

A County Human Services Advisory Council (CHSAC) is a county-based planning, advisory, and coordinating organization dedicated to helping the community meet its human services needs. A CHSAC seeks to facilitate, and enhance the delivery of human services through collaborative relationships across the county, and between the counties and State agencies.

County Human Services Advisory Councils are appointed by the government of each county to review county-level human service activities and to serve as the primary vehicle for making local recommendations to both county government and the New Jersey Department of Human Services decision making process; identifying high priority needs for their community; the coordination and improvement of services to Department target populations; the planning, coordination, and implementation of Department initiatives at the County level; and input to the Department on funding priorities and allocations.

Contact: (609) 989-6926 or (609) 989-6868

The Mercer County Department of Human Services provides funds to licensed County child care centers serving children of low income families. Funding supports infant/toddler days (birth - 2 ½ years), summer day camp (5 – 13), after school care (5 – 13 years), preschool days (2 ½ - 5 years), and program enhancements / support. Funding is not used for Abbott subsidies.

Child Care agencies funded through the County must adhere to State of New Jersey child care licensing/registration standards as defined in the New Jersey Manual of Requirement for Child Care Centers or the New Jersey Manual for Family Child Care Registration, which can be accessed on the internet @ http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/divisions/licensing/laws.html.

Standards include: staff/child ratios, grouping of children, staff qualifications, staff responsibilities, record keeping, facility, program, health, and transportation requirements.

For more information, please contact Kimbery Sentek at 609-989-6964.

What is the Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program?
Mercer County has one of the highest costs of living in the country.  The Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program seeks to assist moderate-income working families of Mercer County with the high cost of child care.
The County-funded program will provide child care subsidy to eligible families for children from birth through age 12.
Payments for child care can only be made to licensed child care centers and camps, or registered family care providers in New Jersey.


Who is eligible?
Mercer County parents or legal guardians who are working and meet the income guidelines may be eligible for the Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program.  Families whose gross annual income exceeds the maximum income eligibility level for subsidy through the State of New Jersey's child care subsidy programs may be eligible to receive assistance through the Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program.

What are the eligibility requirements?
· Eligibility is based on gross annual family income and family size.  (Please see income eligibility chart) 
· Applicants (parents) must be employed or attending full-time school.
· Applicants must be permanent residents of Mercer County and the child must reside with the applicant.
· Applicants must submit original pay stubs, children's birth certificates, and a copy of the first page of the most recent Federal Income Tax Form 1040.

Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program
Income Eligibility Ranges (based on family size)
*Effective October 1, 2009

Family Size	Eligible Annual Income Ranges	From	To
2		$29,141	$55,366
3		$36,621	$69,578
4		$44,101	$83,790
5		$51,581	$98,002
6		$59,061	$112,214
7		$66,540	$126,426
8		$74,021	$140,638
9		$81,501	$154,850
10		$89,981	$169,062
11		$96,461	$183,274
12		$103,941	$197,486

For additional information, or to request an application for the Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program, please call Child Care Connection at 609-989-7889.

How much will the Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program pay toward my child care costs?
Subsidy levels are based on the type of child care.  The program will pay at the following levels:
· $150 per month (per child) for full-day care
· $50 per month for before-school care
· $50 per month for after-school care
· $450 per eight-week session of summer camp (prorated on a weekly basis if the child attends less than eight weeks)

How can I apply?
Contact Child Care Connection (609-989-7889) to request an application.

The Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program is administered by:
Child Care Connection
1001 Spruce Street, Suite 201
Trenton, N.J.  08638
609-989-7889
www.ccc-nj.org