County of Monmouth

For Immediate Release:
April 25, 2022

County Division of Social Services awarded
Community Access Service grant
NJ Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing awards County $75,000

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Department of Human Services, Division of Social Services has been awarded $75,000 through the Community Access Service grant from the New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

The Monmouth County Division of Social Services applied for the grant to help expand access for County residents who may be deaf or hard of hearing when applying for public benefits through the Division with adaptive computer equipment.

“The computer equipment that will be purchased with the grant funding will be highly beneficial to our residents who are deaf or hard of hearing,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Susan M. Kiley, liaison to the Division of Social Services. “These computers will provide the needed interactive WebEx systems for close captioning and access to visual sign language interpreter services.”

The Division will install 10 WebEx Desk Video computer systems, which will provide immediate videoconference capability during intake interviews through close captioning and/or coordination with an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. The Division has worked closely with the Monmouth County Information Technology Services Department to analyze the CISCO computer technology.

“It is so important for the County to be able to provide accommodations for our residents with disabilities,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “This grant funding helps ensure that the Division of Social Services can assist our residents who are deaf and hard of hearing to apply for the public benefits that they are entitled to.”

The Monmouth County Division of Social Services is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of people within Monmouth County through the planning, purchasing and delivery of human services by highly effective employees in partnership with public and private organizations. The Division has implemented several programs for residents in need including, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), General Assistance/TANF, Housing Support, Rental Assistance/Section 8, Child Support & Paternity, and NJ Family Care Programs.

For more information on the Monmouth County Division of Social Services, call 732-308-3770 or go to www.visitmonmouth.com.

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