FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
February 28, 2024
Monmouth ACTS Launches
Integrated Navigation System
First-of-its-kind network streamlines the search for needed services
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners,
Monmouth ACTS Community Partners, representatives from the Monmouth County Department
of Human Services and other members of Monmouth County leadership gathered to
announce the launch of the Monmouth
ACTS Navigation System – a
streamlined method of connecting residents to needed services and support. The
Navigation System, which integrates live support with a state-of-the-art
electronic referral system, is the first of its kind in the state.
“It is the shared mission of our Monmouth County government
and the many agencies and organizations throughout the County to provide easier
access to services for our residents,” said Monmouth County Commissioner
Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We are proud to offer this program to our
residents, so that with one phone call, they are able to find resources for food
insecurities, housing stability, mental health care, employment services, childcare
and much more.”
The Navigation System is the latest initiative from Monmouth
ACTS, which strives to better connect Monmouth County residents with services
that will improve their lives. A fully integrated electronic referral system, residents
can call the Navigation System “Warm Line,” a phone line that is staffed by
several trained and compassionate social workers and be directly connected to
potential resources throughout the County. The Navigation System was created to
reduce information overload, improve access, follow up and connections, and
track results for residents.
Residents may call the Warm Line at 732-683-8959 Monday
through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. A social worker will ask the
resident questions to better understand their unique needs, before connecting
them to potential resources in the Monmouth County area, including County
Departments and Divisions, social service agencies and the many organizations
that make up Monmouth
ACTS. If the resident grants permission
for their information to be shared, the social worker can refer the resident to
services directly, and ensure that an agency is following up with the resident
to meet their needs via an electronic referral and tracking system.
“We have always said, ‘There is no
wrong door to access services in Monmouth County,’” said Commissioner
Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Department of Human Services. “What’s amazing about the
Navigation System is that it is truly one door, or one phone number, through
which you’ll find countless potential services. Our trained and compassionate
social workers will carefully work with our residents and personally guide them
to or connect them directly with a multitude of services. This means that with
one phone call, residents can receive assistance for multiple needs
simultaneously.”
The Navigation System allows the
social worker to determine the type of referral based upon the resident’s needs:
The social worker may decide to transfer the resident to an agency(s) via a
three-way call or may need to act as coordinator of multiple agencies and
services if the resident’s needs are significant and complex. Monmouth ACTS
leadership has also set expectations and goals for participating agencies and
partners – agencies must contact residents within two business days of
receiving the electronic referral, and after 30 days agencies must update the
Navigation System with results and information, including if the resident’s needs
were met.
“The launch of this
ground-breaking Navigation System would not have been possible without the
support of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, the hard-working
Office of Monmouth ACTS team, and the determination of the staff within the
Department of Human Services,” said Peter-Donnell Boynton, Chair of the Monmouth ACTS Advisory
Council (MAAC) and Director of the Monmouth County Department of Human Services. “We’re continuing to listen
closely to our residents about their needs, in order to provide them with new
initiatives such as this and continue to serve them better, together.”
To watch the livestream of the
event, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfJ8v1hxKCI. For more information on the
Monmouth ACTS Navigation System, visit www.MonmouthACTS.org/navigation-system.
FREEHOLD, NJ - Leaders from Monmouth County
government and the private sector gathered to celebrate the launch of the new
Monmouth ACTS Navigation System, a state-of-the-art electronic referral system
that streamlines access to services for residents. Pictured left to right: Nicole Cyr, Assistant Director of
Planning, Monmouth County Department of Human Services; Nick DiRocco, Monmouth
County Commissioner; Susan M. Kiley, Monmouth County Commissioner;
Peter-Donnell Boynton, Chair, Monmouth ACTS Advisory Council (MAAC) and
Director, Monmouth County Department of Human Services; Kathy Collins, Vice-Chair,
MAAC; and Desiree Whyte, Assistant Director of Operations, Monmouth County
Department of Human Services.