Latest grants to Expand Access to Critical Services in Burlington, Mercer, and Monmouth counties

July 16, 2026

(TRENTON) - Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha today announced that the Department has awarded additional communication and language access grants to continue to strengthen accessibility and equitable access to critical health and social services for individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

The county grants from the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing were awarded to Burlington, $80,000; Mercer, $80,000; and Monmouth, $70,000. The Division has now provided $1.76 million in communication access grants to counties since 2022.

The county initiatives will expand the availability of accessible communication technologies, including Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, hearing induction loop systems, captioning services, and other accessibility tools. The projects will also strengthen language access infrastructure within county facilities, community programs, mobile outreach services, and public events.
“Everyone deserves equal access to the programs and services that support their health, independence, and well-being,” Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha said. “These grants will help ensure that residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can communicate more effectively with county staff, access critical services without unnecessary barriers, and fully participate in their communities.”
“These grants are making New Jersey a more inclusive state where disabled residents can fully participate in community life,” Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services Kaylee McGuire said. “These investments will improve accessibility across a wide range of county programs from healthcare to homelessness services and public events, making it easier for residents to receive the information and support they need. We thank the county leaders who have been steadfast partners in supporting residents of all abilities.”

“Communication access is fundamental to independence, inclusion, and equitable access to services,” said Elizabeth Hill, Director of the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. "These grants will help counties strengthen their ability to communicate effectively with residents who are Deaf or hard of hearing by expanding access to interpreting services, assistive technology, and other communication supports. By investing in accessible communication, we're helping ensure that every resident can fully participate in their community and access the services they need with dignity and confidence.”
The grants support projects that will improve accessibility across healthcare and behavioral health services, homeless outreach and emergency shelter operations, aging and disability services, and other public-facing county programs.

Burlington County will improve accessibility by:

• Assessing and enhancing communication accessibility within emergency shelter operations through assistive communication technologies and accessibility resources;
• Upgrading county-operated mobile outreach programs, including the Burlington County Health Department Mobile Health vehicle and Hope One for Youth Van, with accessibility features such as portable hearing assistance devices, caption-enabled communication technology, VRI capability, visual alert systems, communication devices, improved internet connectivity, and accessible signage;
• Establishing live interpretation service accounts and communication access protocols across county departments to better serve residents who are Deaf or hard of hearing and individuals with language access needs; and
• Funding ASL interpretation, VRI services, real-time captioning, and other communication access supports for emergency shelter residents and county program participants.

Mercer County will expand communication accessibility by:

• Implementing VRI services for approximately 20 county events annually;
• Purchasing two fully deployable mobile VRI equipment units, including tablets or laptops, webcams, microphones, headsets, portable lighting, and rolling storage carts for use throughout county facilities and public events;
• Providing ASL interpreters, including certified deaf interpreters for up to five public events each year; and
• Expanding hearing induction loop technology at key public facilities, meeting spaces, and the County Human Resources Office while making portable loop systems available across county departments.

Monmouth County will enhance communication access by:

• Implementing VRI services for approximately 10 county events annually and on an as-needed basis at public-facing county locations;
• Purchasing 10 fully deployable mobile VRI equipment units, including tablets or laptops, webcams, microphones, headsets, portable lighting, and mobile storage carts to support flexible use across multiple locations;
• Expanding hearing induction loop technology at key public facilities and meeting spaces while providing portable loop systems for use throughout county departments; and
• Strengthening accessibility requirements within existing community provider contracts serving the Division of Integrated Health and the Division of Aging, Disabilities, and Veteran Services.

By expanding accessible technology, interpretation services, and communication supports, the grants will help ensure that residents who are Deaf or hard of hearing can more easily access the information, services, and supports they need.