For Immediate Release:
March 5, 2020

County to promote shared services and
Monmouth ACTS to municipalities
Director and Deputy Director to visit municipal council meetings

FREEHOLD, NJ – Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to Shared Services, and Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley, liaison to Human Services and Monmouth ACTS (Assisting Communities Through Services), will be attending municipal council meetings throughout the year to discuss potential shared service agreements, the Monmouth ACTS program and stigma-free resolutions as part of the Shared Services/Monmouth Acts Roadshow.

“During my tenure as Mayor of Neptune City, I realized that smaller municipalities do not have all of the resources to provide the same level of services to their residents that the County does,” said Freeholder Director Arnone. “Through shared service agreements, the County offers cost relief for the towns and ultimately our taxpayers. I look forward to joining Freeholder Sue Kiley as we visit the 53 municipalities to speak with elected officials about the innovative services and programs the County has to offer.”

Monmouth County’s Office of Shared Services works with towns, school boards, fire districts and authorities to provide 9-1-1 services, public works project assistance, public safety training, records management, commodity resale, cooperative purchasing, information technology, digital record management and more.

Since 2011, Monmouth County’s Shared Services have recorded cost savings and generated revenues with local partners that have passed the $15 million mark. The County’s goal is to provide quality services and commodities to local public partners at a lower cost.

“Monmouth ACTS is public-private partnership that is truly the first of its kind in New Jersey,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley. “The partnership between County employees, from the Department of Human Services, and community partners on the Human Services Advisory Council helps improve the quality of life for Monmouth County residents in need. In addition to discussing shared service agreements and Monmouth ACTS, Freeholder Director Arnone and I will talk about stigma-free resolutions, which aim to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders.”

The formation of Monmouth ACTS came as a response to the Monmouth County Human Services Needs Assessment, which examined the needs of County residents, as well as the strengths, capabilities and interests of service providers and community stakeholders. The assessment report, “A Call to Action,” examined Monmouth County’s human services gaps and determined a roadmap for improvement to desired conditions that would serve County residents more effectively.

Most recently, the Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously voted to change the name of the Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services to the Division of Behavioral Health in an effort to end the stigma surrounding mental health. The resolution to change the name of the Division was passed at the Freeholder’s regular public meeting held on Thursday, Feb. 13.

To schedule a municipal council visit with Freeholder Director Arnone and Freeholder Deputy Director Kiley, email Elizabeth Perez at Elizabeth.Perez@co.monmouth.nj.us. For more information about shared service agreements, Monmouth ACTS and stigma-free resolutions, go to www.visitmonmouth.com and www.monmouthacts.org.

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