Ocean County Department of Public Affairs
1201 Hooper Ave., PO Box 2191, Toms River, NJ 08754-2191
732-288-7777
www.co.ocean.nj.us/CountyConnectionPage.aspx
Contact: Jeanne DiPaola, Director
February 14, 2008
What’s Happening at the County Connection in March

TOMS RIVER--The County Connection, located near Penney’s at the Ocean County Mall, is a service of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Freeholder John P. Kelly, who serves as Freeholder liaison to the County Connection, invites all Ocean County residents to drop in during their next visit to the mall to learn about programs, services and activities available to them in Ocean County. The County Connection is open regular mall hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays to better serve the people of the county. It is handicapped accessible and served by public transportation, including New Jersey Transit and Ocean Ride buses. For more information, call 732-288-7777 or visit the County Connection web site at www.co.ocean.nj.us. Look for these programs in March:

CALL NOW FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE Free tax preparation assistance, provided by volunteers from AARP and VITA, will be held at the County Connection on Wednesdays and Thursdays, through April 10. The free service is available to low-income Ocean County residents who need help preparing their federal and state income tax returns. Short-form only. To schedule an appointment, call 732-288-7777.

FREE STROKE SCREENINGS Coronary artery disease and stroke can rob you of your independence—and maybe your life. The Ocean County Health Department will be offering free stroke screenings at the County Connection, Friday, March 14, beginning at 9:30 am. Please call for an appointment: 732-288-7777.

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN The Ocean County Health Department will be at the County Connection Wednesday, March 19, & Thursday, March 20, from 10 am – 4 pm, to provide information about WIC, the nutrition assistance program for low-income families with infants and young children.

Ongoing programs scheduled in March at the County Connection include: JOB SEARCH Looking for a new career? Maybe just something part-time? Visit the County Connection, Monday evenings from 5:45 to 9:30 pm. Christine Karaska of Workforce New Jersey will provide information and tips to job seekers. Job Search & Resume Skills: Mondays: March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24 & March 31.

VETERANS SERVICES The Ocean County Office of Veterans Services will be at the County Connection Tuesdays, March 4 & March 18, from 10 am till 1 pm to provide information on health services, employment assistance and other benefits available to eligible veterans.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS Problems with purchases? Unreliable repairmen? Who can you turn to for help? A representative from the Ocean County Consumer Affairs Department will be at the County Connection Wednesdays, March 5 & March 19, from 5 pm till 9 pm.

SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION Representatives from the Social Security Administration will be at the County Connection Thursday, March 6, from 10 –1, to give out information & answer questions about Social Security.

OCEAN COUNTY MENTORING PROGRAM Can you spare an hour a week to make a positive difference in a child’s life? Ocean County’s Mentoring Program is seeking mature volunteers to provide safe friendships to boys and girls, ages 8 to 11, who may not have the support of a traditional family. Training is provided. Art Midgley, Mentoring Coordinator, will be at the County Connection Friday, March 7, to discuss the program with interested adults.

FAMILY ASSISTANCE INFORMATION The Board of Social Services will present information on assistance programs available to eligible Ocean County residents Tuesdays—March 11 & March 25—from 11 – 1.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS The Ocean County Health Department will conduct free blood pressure checks at the County Connection on Thursday, March 13, from 9:30 am till 12 noon.

NJ DEPARTMENT OF BANKING & INSURANCE Representatives from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance will be at the County Connection, Thursday, March 13, 10 am - 1 pm, to provide information about obtaining the best coverage at the best price when purchasing auto and homeowners or renters insurance. They also have information on new programs to assist homeowners with subprime mortgages.

SENIOR DISCOUNTS ON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, FITNESS CLASSES, & MORE If you’re 55 or older, you can receive all the great benefits of membership in Ocean County College’s Academy of Lifelong Learning—all for only $10 a year. For more information, visit the County Connection on Thursday, March 20, from 10 am till 1 pm.

OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENINGS Are you at risk for osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is a major health threat for 28 million Americans, 80% of them women. The Ocean County Health Department is offering free bone density screenings for women at the County Connection, Thursday, March 27, from 9:30 am to 3 pm. Screenings are scheduled on the 4th Thursday of each month. Call today for your appointment: 732-288-7777.

Plus, you’ll find these ongoing services DAILY at the County Connection:

OCEAN COUNTY LIBRARY SERVICES Book drop-off daily.

YOU CAN BUY STAMPS AT THE COUNTY CONNECTION: As an added convenience, you can now purchase postage stamps from a U.S. Postal Service vending machine at the County Connection. Cash sales only.

RECYCLE OLD HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES & CELL PHONES AT THE COUNTY CONNECTION For convenient, safe & environmental recycling: Bring your old household batteries & cell phones to the County Connection.

DROP OFF WORN AMERICAN FLAGS Worn American Flags, no longer suitable for display, can be dropped off at the County Connection. The flags will be turned in to veterans groups for proper disposal.

PHOTO ID’S & PASSPORT SERVICES AT THE COUNTY CONNECTION Under new federal regulations, passports are now required for all US citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico & the Caribbean. Photo IDs are needed for travel within the continental United States. Prepare for your next trip by getting IDs or passports now. The Ocean County Clerk staffs the County Connection seven days a week to issue photo IDs ($10) & process passport applications (Fees vary). You can get passport photos at the County Connection, too. ($10)

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR OCC SHOWS AT DISCOUNTED PRICES You can purchase tickets for Ocean County College’s Fine Arts performances at the County Connection. Cash, check or money order only.

REGISTER FOR OCEAN COUNTY’S OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS Visit the County Connection to register your dog for Ocean County’s off-leash dog parks at the Miller Airpark in Berkeley and Ocean County Park, Lakewood. The off-leash parks are operated by the Ocean County Parks & Recreation Department. (Annual fee: $25.)

SENIOR SERVICES Ocean County’s Senior Services staff has information on all of the benefits available to seniors, including heating assistance. A Senior Services representative is at the County Connection most weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm.

SURROGATE’S INFORMATION AT THE COUNTY CONNECTION EVERY WEEKDAY The Ocean County Surrogate’s Office now has staff at the County Connection Monday thru Friday, 10 am - 4:30 pm, to answer questions about probating wills & other services of the Surrogate’s Court.

INFORMATION ON THE NJ COASTAL HERITAGE TRAIL AND TOURISM-RELATED ACTIVITIES Discover the historic, cultural and natural treasures found along the coastal areas of New Jersey. The County Connection is an official Information Center for the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail. The County Connection also has information on special events and tourism-related activities throughout Ocean County—101 things to do to keep your whole family entertained all year long.