ADVISORY BOARDS,  COUNCILS AND COMMISSIONS

Current SSBG grant funding = $2,300,000.00.

Methodology

In 1992, the Atlantic County HSAc conducted needs assessments and service Prioritizations for seventeen of the eighteen target populations identified. Seventeen focus groups, one for each population, met, resulting in the countv-wide plan update. Participants included independent consumers and providers of human services as well as members Of the FSAC. Sources of data were Provided from various aqency and consumer experiences.

The target populations included: children, youth, adults, elderly, DDD, victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment, people experiencing emotional disorders (serious and moderately severe), substance abusers, blind and visually impaired, health or disabled (other than visual), low income families/individuals, homeless, single parents at-risk, black, Hispanic, and veterans at-risk.

1992 Priorities

The priorities ranked one through ten were, in order:

• substance abuse services
• counseling services
• housing services
• community education
• mental health treatment services
• employment/vocational training services
• protective services
• home care services
• income maintenance services
• employment procurement services

1992 Recommendations

Recommendations included:

• Bilingual services: maintain existing resources and encourage agencies to have bilingual and bicultural staff;
• Daycare: maintain existing resources
• Transportation: maintain existing resources and explore contracting policy which does not allow for depreciation (a task force was to be formed)
• Improve the delivery of human services in Atlantic County

Comments

In the years that have passed, there has been very little reference to the update, due to a lack of additional SSBG funds or shifting in funds. This trend is in the process of changing as DYFS and contract review committees look at current priorities in relation to current contracts.