DIRECTOR’S REPORT

“The past is not the future,” wrote Anthony Robbins.

This quote has particular significance given the extensive staffing changes, ever changing program requirements and increased demands for services experienced by the Board of Social Services in 2004. To some, these changes would represent insurmountable obstacles. To us they provided an opportunity to build upon a strong legacy of excellence and create new opportunities for improvement.

Due to the Early Retirement Incentive Plan, 2004 saw the retirement of many, if not most of the veteran administrative and supervisory staff, including the Director, Dennis C. Micai.

For many years Dennis provided innovative leadership at the Board of Social Services and throughout the State of New Jersey particularly in the areas of combating homelessness and workforce consolidation.

Our first challenge was to insure that all the essential services provided by the Board continued uninterrupted and at the level of excellence that the community had come to expect from our staff. That challenge was met with the determined cooperation of all the newly appointed and remaining staff. The successful transition and accomplishments of 2004 are reflective of the sound foundation left us by the preceding administration, seamlessly merging with responsible, professional competency of the new. The result being we can now look eagerly to the future because of our past.

2004 Year in Review

The year saw caseloads continue to rise in all major program areas. The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps, General Assistance (GA) and Medicaid Programs showed increased activity. The Intake Department took approximately 2,000 more applications for all these combined programs in 2004 than in 2003.

The current program statistical report from the State Department of Human Services issued in December 2004 indicate Mercer’s Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) caseload increased by 5.1% while General Assistance (GA) cases rose by some 7.8%.

Other notable statistics show alarming increases in Emergency Assistance (EA) of both TANF and GA programs. TANF emergency assistance rose 24.3% above 2003 figures, GA emergency assistance, meanwhile, increased by 21.1% over the same period. These changes were reflective of the overall statewide increases in emergency assistance (e.g., TANF=65.9%, GA=29.2%). These statistics indicate the need for the State to look at current grant amounts and the existing emergency assistance system to address the growing demand for these services, particularly with regard to the area of the availability of affordable housing.

In 2004 Mercer continued its commitment to the Workforce Consolidation Program. Participation rates began to rebound after dropping off during the period of the consolidation implementation. Work is still needed in this area, however, to meet federal participation rate mandates, Mercer’s collaborative partners continue through their efforts to make progress in this area.

The administration and staff at the Mercer County Board of Social Services looks forward to meeting the new challenges of the coming year with their traditional innovative spirit and fervent desire to provide the community with the most effective, efficient, and compassionate services to families in need.

We are confidently looking to the future.

Challenges and Goals for 2004

Stabilize and develop the newly appointed Administrative staff by working with the State Department of Personnel, providing needed training, and developing cohesive, interactive working relationships among the various agency department heads and assistants.
Re-organize and/or create anew various work units to meet the changing and additional program delivery needs.
Continue collaborative efforts to more effectively and efficiently implement the Department of Labor Consolidation. This includes, but is not limited to the co-location of staff at the One-Stop Centers.
Continue to seek to pilot new program initiatives in all areas.
Advocate, individually and in partnership with other service agencies and organizations, for critical funding from federal, state and local governmental entities to insure essential services to those in need are not adversely affected.
Continue to improve customer service by providing the community with courteous, responsive, and professional service as reflected in our Customer Service Plan.

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