PARSIPPANY — As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing your Thanksgiving feast, following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy the day while keeping yourself and your family safer from fire. Ryan Rege from Parsippany Fire Prevention has some reminders for your Turkey Day. For more information click here.
CCM Offers Students Several Options for Taking Classes this Spring
MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) is providing students with a number of options for how they can take their courses this Spring Semester so they can keep moving forward with their higher education.
The college currently is enrolling students for the spring and has built-in a high level of flexibility to make it easier for them to pursue their goals. Students enrolling this spring will be able to select courses that are being offered in one of three formats: hybrid, remote, and online.
Hybrid Courses consist of a combination of traditional face-to-face instruction and remote or online sessions. This may include some on-campus labs with remote lectures, reduced in-classroom time, or other instructional designs that meet the needs of the course materials.
Remote Courses are similar to those taught in a classroom in that they require students to meet online with their professor on specific days and times.
Online Courses do not require students to log in on specific days and times, allowing them to set their own schedule for performing their classwork.
To limit the number of people on campus, the majority of classes are being offered in online and remote formats.
Students enrolling this spring also can select from a number of terms, ranging from 2 Week to 15 Week sessions. Students can search for courses and the format they prefer by clicking here. Use the Advanced Search feature to select one of the terms being offered this spring:
- 15 Week – January 20 – May 11
- Early Start 2 Week – January 20 – February 2
- Early Finish 7 Week – January 20 – March 9
- Mid Start 2 Week – February 3 – February 16
- 13 Week – February 3 – May 11
- Late Start 2 Week – February 17 – March 2
- Late Start 7 – March 24 – May 11
New students first need to apply to the college before registering for classes. For more information click here.
CCM CARES Grant and Other Funding to Pay for College
MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) has both federal and state grant funds for students to help them stay on track with their higher education.
Federal CARES dollars are available for students, who are currently registered at CCM, to cover a wide range of expenses so they can move forward with a high-quality education. Those dollars can be used by those impacted by the pandemic to cover such expenses as tuition, technology, housing, child care, and more. Those who previously received CARES funds also may apply again due to continued pandemic related hardship. To review eligibility requirements and to apply click here.
Along with those funds, CCM each year awards approximately $26 million in financial aid and scholarships to its students allowing them to pursue a high-quality college education at an affordable price. Included among those funds is the Community College Opportunity Grant, provided by the State of New Jersey, which offers free tuition to eligible students. To find out more about the funding provided through the Office of Financial Aid and CCM Foundation click here.
“Given the amount of money CCM has available to help with a higher education, there has never been a better time to go to college,” said Dr. Bette Simmons, vice president of Student Development and Enrollment Management. “We like to tell students this is not the time for a gap year but a time to take advantage of the funding we have so they can keep moving forward to realize their dreams for a better future.”
CCM is currently enrolling for the 2021 Spring Semester. As with the 2020 Fall Semester, classes in the spring are being held in three formats: hybrid with some on-campus time and the rest online, remote classes with set days and times to log in, and online classes where students can pick the days and times to do their classwork. For more information on the Sprint Semester click here.
Transfer or Gain Employment Upon Graduation
At CCM, students can choose from 100 programs of study. A number of programs, such as those in computer science, engineering, and hospitality, and culinary science, are designed so students can seek employment immediately upon graduation. Numerous others are specifically designed so students can transfer their credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. CCM holds more than 165 agreements with colleges and universities across New Jersey and the nation to simplify the transfer process. A listing of those agreements can be found by clicking here.
Becchi Voices Concern Over Sherrill’s Antagonistic Disregard for Voter Fraud
PARSIPPANY — Rosemary Becchi responded swiftly to the Sherrill campaign’s criticism of the report that she sent to the U.S. Attorney’s Office which included the first-hand reports of eleven New Jersey residents who volunteered to oversee the election process in Essex County.
“I am shocked by the blatant disregard for the legal process – especially by a former US Prosecutor. It appears that the U.S Attorney’s Office is taking the claims in the report seriously, and I hope that Congresswoman Sherrill and her campaign will do the same. I call on Mikie Sherrill to join our mission of insisting that the election process is fair and honest in Essex County for future elections.
I appreciate the work of volunteers on election day – and their dedication to the integrity of the election process. These eleven volunteers put their names on statements provided to the authorities and I appreciate their commitment to the democratic process. Voters in New Jersey deserve to have their votes counted in a fair manner, that’s all we are saying” emphasized Becchi.
Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter Announces Steps Towards New, Expanded Animal Welfare Model
MORRIS COUNTY — Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, an East Hanover, an animal shelter that promotes the fostering and adoption of rescue dogs and cats, announced several steps taken as part of their evolution to be an animal welfare resource center for the community.
The changes are part of a revised strategy to better achieve the shelter’s mission to “build a community of people and organizations working together to save today’s, and prevent tomorrow’s, abused neglected and homeless animals. As the shelter’s 50th anniversary approaches, these steps strengthen the organization’s decades-long commitment to animal-focused care, including the ability to quickly identify and provide the right services needed for each animal to reduce their stay at the shelter, and free up capacity to care for more animals.
Lorri Caffrey will serve as Interim Executive Director, following the separation from previous Executive Director, Maureen Van Artsdalen. In addition, Veterinarian, Animal Welfare Strategist, and author of The Best Practice Playbook For Animal Shelters Dr. Sara Pizano will work alongside the Board of Directors and Ms. Caffrey in an advisory role for at least the next six months.
Ms. Caffrey has over seventeen years of work experience in non-profits, spending much of that time working with volunteers, managing fundraisers, and cultivating relationships with the community. Ms. Caffrey is also a co-founder and Board Member of the SUDC Foundation.
The shelter’s search for a new Executive Director is ongoing.
We are excited to take the next step in our growth to double our animal welfare impact in the community,” said Henry Ristuccia, president of Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter Board of Directors. “We are well-positioned to execute our vision for 2021 and beyond, and work with our community to provide the highest quality of care for all animals that come through our door. We look forward to continuing to develop our relationships with the community, and caring for our animals for many more years.”
Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter is committed to working with the community to provide the best care possible. Feedback and suggestions are welcome and should be directed to the board by clicking here.
Murphy Administration Announces $161 million in Municipal Aid Grants to 543 Municipalities
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy announced $161.25 million in Municipal Aid grants, with 543 cities and towns across the state receiving funds to advance road, bridge, safety, and quality-of-life improvements, demonstrating the Department of Transportation’s Commitment to Communities.
The competitive Municipal Aid grant program attracted 635 applications from 549 different municipalities with a total of $342 million requested. Project applications were evaluated and rated on their merits by NJDOT staff and reviewed by an independent panel of New Jersey municipal engineers. This process resulted in 548 awards to 543 municipalities, totaling $161.25 million. The 2016 Transportation Trust Fund renewal has made it possible to continue to award $161.25 million annually – more than double the $78.75 million that was available before the TTF renewal. In addition, the extra funds have allowed the Department to increase the number of municipalities receiving grants from about 370 a year prior to the TTF renewal to 543 municipalities this year.
“These grants are a further demonstration of the partnership between my Administration and our communities to build a stronger, safer, and more modern transportation network,” said Governor Murphy. “In a state as densely populated as New Jersey, where our interconnectedness is a strength, these vital investments will increase safety, foster mobility, and improve the quality-of-life for New Jerseyans statewide.”
“The Murphy Administration maintains its commitment to communities by providing municipalities the resources to make important safety, infrastructure, and quality-of-life improvements without burdening local property taxpayers,” NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti stated. “We were pleased to award grants to nearly every municipality in New Jersey.”
Under the Municipal Aid grant program, each county has apportioned a share of the total funding based on population and the number of local centerline miles. Municipalities compete for portions of their county’s share. NJDOT provides 75 percent of the grant amount when a town awards a contract and the remaining 25 percent upon completion of the project. Of the $161.25 million, $10 million is allotted for municipalities qualifying for Urban Aid as defined under state law, with the amounts determined by the Department of Community Affairs. This year, Cliffside Park in Bergen County and Harrison in Hudson County were added to the list of Urban Aid recipients.
Applications for Municipal Aid grants were submitted to NJDOT by July 1, 2020, and have been judiciously reviewed. There are seven project categories within the Municipal Aid grant program eligible for funding: Roadway Preservation, Roadway Safety, Quality of Life, Mobility, Bikeway, Pedestrian Safety, and Bridge Preservation. Past performance in connection with the timely award of projects and construction close-out factors were part of the evaluation of the proposals.
When evaluating applications, NJDOT also verifies if the municipality has adopted a Complete Streets policy. A Complete Streets policy establishes guidelines that require consideration to be given to pedestrians and bicyclists when local transportation projects are being planned, designed, and built. A total of $62,643,78 will be allocated to 193 municipalities with Complete Streets policies.
Parsippany Community Update November 17, 2020
PARSIPPANY — It goes without saying that our numbers are not going in the direction they need to be. These increases are not unique to just Parsippany. This is a trend that communities are experiencing across the country. Keep up with the day-to-day numbers with the Morris County Coronavirus tracker page by clicking here.
Rep. Sherrill Announces $600K DOJ Grant Award for Prevention is Key Program
PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) announced that Prevention is Key, Inc. (PIK), located in Randolph, was awarded a $600,000 grant to fund a mentoring program for children in Morris and Passaic Counties who have been exposed to opioid misuse through their own experience or that of a family member. The grant is funded through the Mentoring Opportunities Youth Initiative at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
“PIK’s work on substance abuse prevention and recovery helps our community with critical programs like peer recovery support, Narcan training, and partnering on Hope One,” said Representative Sherrill. “This mentoring program for children impacted by opioid misuse is just another example of PIK’s proactive approach to ensuring that those most in need of support receive it. I am thrilled that the DOJ awarded the federal grant funding to support this much-needed program, and I look forward to following its progress.”
“We are thrilled to have been awarded the OJJDP grant to provide Mentoring to Youth Impacted by Opioids and Drug Addiction in Morris and Passaic Counties,” said PIK Executive Director Chris Goeke. “The demand for youth mentoring among this underserved population has never been greater than it is today. The social isolation created by the pandemic has made the need even more critical. Prevention Is Key remains fully engaged in supporting our communities as they strive to live healthier lives throughout our great state.”
PIK will use this grant funding from DOJ’s Mentoring Opportunities Youth Initiative to support the creation of a mentoring program for one hundred children ages 11 to 17. This will include children who are currently misusing or have misused opioids, as well as those with family members who are using or have misused opioids. The three-year program will provide mentees with positive mentoring support to supplement treatment programs. It will build resiliency by providing participants with social and emotional support, and helping them develop the skills to build their own informal support systems.
About the Department of Justice Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative
The Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative at the Department of Justice supports youth mentoring organizations that have a demonstrated partnership with a public or private substance abuse treatment agency. The program focuses on providing mentoring services as a part of prevention and treatment to support children affected by opioids and drug addiction.
About Prevention is Key
Prevention is Key (PIK) is a 501(c)3 organization that has successfully delivered culturally competent, evidence-based prevention services in Morris County and the surrounding counties for 30 years. The agency was founded in 1989 to coordinate substance abuse prevention in Morris County. For more information click here.
Surrogate Celebrate National Adoption Day
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling will join the Morris Vicinage of the Superior Court of New Jersey to celebrate National Adoption Day on Friday, November 20 at 9:00 a.m. in a virtual courtroom on zoom.
The virtual courtroom will open at 8:45 a.m. with the virtual ceremony commencing at 9:00 a.m.
The live stream will be webcast on the New Jersey Courts public channel by clicking here.
Surrogate Darling along with the Hon. Michael Paul Wright, J.S.C., and other stakeholders will speak in honor of adoptive families and children across the country.
This celebration is also part of a national effort to raise awareness of the more than 400,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families and to encourage others to adopt. This year’s theme, “Youth Voice,” highlights the voices and perspectives of older youth who have experience with adoption and foster care, and it also emphasizes the role that professionals can play in engaging youth throughout the adoption process.
“Approximately 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year in the United States,” said Surrogate Darling. “This year’s focus on older youth is key. They have a say in their lives and should be heard in the adoption process. It is true that close and permanent ties from adoption help to set young people up for success and provide an anchor as they grow into adulthood.”
The Surrogate’s Court oversees the adoption process for Morris County and works closely with the Superior Court in finalizing adoptions and being a part of the official start of these new families. Although adoptions are closed to the public, reporters may contact Dawn Carruth, Assistant Family Division Manager, at (862) 397-5700, ext. 75180 with requests to connect with families who are willing to be interviewed after their adoption proceedings have concluded.
Interfaith Food Pantry Becomes “Network” as its Role Expands in Morris County
MORRIS COUNTY — The Interfaith Food Pantry which serves Morris County residents in need by providing emergency and supplemental groceries has announced that it is now doing business as The Interfaith Food Pantry Network (IFPN), a name more fitting of its network of support operations and partnerships throughout the region.
“The new name is a more accurate reflection of who we are and what we do. We are not just a food pantry and resource center,” said Tim Lockwood, President of the IFPN. “We are a network of pantries and partner agencies that comprise a vast safety net for Morris County residents that struggle with food insecurity.”
The IFPN also is continuing its seasonal effort this year to distribute about 2,000 turkeys and baskets for Thanksgiving. Donations of turkeys, food, and funds are being sought. For more information on donations and volunteer opportunities click here.
Holiday Donation Delivery Information
The IFPN will be open for food drop-offs this Wednesday, November 18, until 7:45 p.m.
Please contact Val Schuszler at (973) 538-8049, Ext. 215, or send an email to vschuszler@mcifp.org. Non-perishable food can be delivered to the IFPN warehouse from Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Fridays by prior arrangement. For more information and directions call (973) 538-8049 or send an email to interfaithfoodpantry@mcifp.org.
The network currently includes 28 partners located in Butler, Lincoln Park, Rockaway, Jefferson, Netcong, Mt. Olive, Roxbury, Wharton, Dover, Randolph, Parsippany, Hanover, Morristown, and Madison. They are smaller food pantries, low-income senior housing sites, and food access sites operated by the County of Morris. According to IFPN officials, the strategy to establish a network of food pantries and satellite food distribution sites via their Mobile Pantry Partners began in 2017. The goal of the network is to efficiently address the social detriments of health by providing access to nutritious foods to clients of smaller pantries in more remote communities, and seniors who lack access to the IFPN pantries in Parsippany and Morristown.
“We believe it’s critical to not just employ stop-gap measures to hunger. The long-term effects of food insecurity often lead to health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The network addresses this issue by providing more fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy items, and grains. Access to healthy foods empower people to take more control over the issues they are dealing with – finding a job, managing financial stressors, providing kids the nutrition they need to do well in school,” said Lockwood.
The Pantry’s network strategy was fueled by data collected during a multi-year study conducted in partnership with Profs. Patrick McGuinn, Ph.D. and Lisa Jordan of Drew University. That study identified geographic pockets of low-income families and seniors that were outside the radius of accessibility to IFPN’s two existing pantries. The Mobile Pantry was launched in 2017, funded largely by Impact 100 Garden State.
“Our network partners have strong ties to their clients and communities. They understand their needs”, said Carolyn Lake, Executive Director. “The COVID crisis forced many new people to seek help everywhere they could find it. Our pantry numbers grew as did the numbers of people visiting our partners. But even as the need grew dramatically, ensuring the continuity of access to healthy food was critical to our mission. We did not want to slide backward, we instead, leaped forward.”
Contributing to the rapid expansion of the network was the exponential increase in the number of seniors who, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, were suddenly isolated and had no way of securing groceries. With a skeleton staff, the IFPN responded to the crisis by working with the Morris County and Dover Housing Authorities to serve 300 seniors in five-county locations. Additionally, new food pantries were added to the network in Dover, Hanover, and Roxbury.
Freeholder Kathryn DeFillippo
The program is currently accommodating 6,100 household visits, a 140% increase over 2019’s figures. Through the two pantries they operate, the Mobile Network and other Morris County agencies it serves, the IFPN has distributed more than 1.1 million pounds of food during more than 21,000 household visits this year.
“The Interfaith Food Pantry Network is a critical resource for Morris County,” said Kathy DiFillippo, Morris County Freeholder. “For 25 years the Morris County government has worked in partnership with IFPN through the Offices of Temporary Assistance, Division of Aging, and Senior Nutrition Programs. They play a critical role in our social services infrastructure as the leading agency providing nutrition and related resources to Morris County residents.
“Even pre-COVID there was a significant population living paycheck to paycheck and many seniors choosing between food and medicine. Food insecurity is not new, but the pandemic exacerbated the problem. We are grateful to the IFPN and the significant safety net they provide to help Morris County families,” DeFillippo added.
Click here to watch this short video to learn about the IFPN.
The Interfaith Food Pantry Network (IFPN) is the largest and most relied-upon resource for emergency and supplemental food among Morris County residents in need. IFPN employs innovative approaches to hunger and food insecurity that improve the health and well-being of individuals and families by providing access to food, education, and related resources. The IFPN operates food pantries and also partners with other agencies across the County to foster a culture of volunteerism and educate the public about the issues surrounding food insecurity. For more information, visit www.mcifp.org