Fall 2024 Newsletter
Access to utility assistance is a critical aspect of addressing social determinants of health. Keeping homes warm during the winter and ensuring that lights stay on are essential for the well-being of individuals and families. Reliable utility services contribute to a safe and stable living environment, which is foundational for good health.
Starting October 1, low-income families and individuals who meet the annual eligibility requirements can apply for LIHEAP and USF assistance. We remain committed to being a trusted point of contact when addressing needs such as utility assistance to ensure New Jerseyans have a place to call when they are unsure where to begin.
To learn more about other utility assistance programs, visit our Utility Assistance Programs page.
Spotlight on NJ 211’s Growing Recognition Through Media Outreach
Since the launch of our marketing campaign in March, we have seen a notable increase in the recognition of NJ 211 across social platforms and news outlets throughout New Jersey. In our Summer newsletter, we shared an interview our Chief Executive Officer Melissa Acree did with New Jersey 101.5. As we move forward with our outreach efforts, we have also connected with other broadcasting and media outlets like My9NJ to do an interview for “New Jersey Now!” in early July. In her conversation with Mark Bonamo, Acree provided the key facts and goals of NJ 211, as well as what the future might have in store for the nonprofit.
“I think first and foremost, it provides hope. Someone that they [consumers] can actually talk to,” Acree says when asked how the marketing campaign can be an asset to those in need. “Making that first step to reach out is hard. I think that it can provide hope and help - it can reassure them that they did the right thing. It empowers them because what we give them, they take the next step to going to that location, calling them, filling out that application. Empowering people and giving them that positive sometimes is an important boost.”
As our marketing campaign continues to expand through traditional and digital media, NJ 211 will proceed with our vision to make the critical connection between individuals and families seeking health and human services and the community referrals best able to meet their needs.
Help us spread the word about 211! Check out our media toolkit to view posters, flyers, social media assets, and videos provided by NJ 211.
Did you miss our New Jersey Now! feature? Check out our interview today!
Supporting Code Red Legislation
The extreme weather conditions brought about throughout the year can be hazardous and even deadly for vulnerable groups such as those who are, or are at risk of, homelessness. In 2017, the state of New Jersey enacted an official bill for the Code Blue Program, requiring county emergency management coordinators to help at-risk individuals (people living outdoors, uninhabitable buildings, or in places not legally occupied) during severe weather events declared by the National Weather Service (NWS). Code Blue focuses on locating and providing warming shelters for these individuals in events in extreme cold temperatures under 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or storms like a snow emergency. Seeing the impact this program has on NJ residents during the harsh winter nights, groups such as NJ 211 are pushing to support a likemind idea to help these individuals in the extreme heat: a Code Red Program.
On June 20th, Chief Executive Officer Melissa Acree and Program Director Jaclyn Nunziato testified at the Senate Health and Human Services Committee meeting in support of Code Red legislation. Like Code Blue, Code Red would require county emergency management coordinators to assist individuals when the NWS declares a heat advisory for a specific region or reports an Air Quality Index of 151 or higher. As we have seen this past summer, rising temperatures continue to last for longer periods of time, leaving people susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. By creating a procedure to make cooling centers more available on a statewide level, vulnerable populations in New Jersey can feel assured that help is available when mother nature strikes hardest.
Melissa Acree stated, “Testifying for programs like the Code Red legislation is crucial because it directly supports the well-being of our most vulnerable residents. At NJ 211, we have firsthand experience with Code Blue programs, and we’ve seen the significant positive impact they have on individuals who reach out for help. By advocating for Code Red, we aim to extend this vital support to address extreme heat and poor air quality, ensuring that every New Jersey resident has access to the resources they need during critical times. Our involvement in these legislative efforts is driven by our commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those who depend on our services.”
The New Jersey legislature has proposed a three-year pilot program to test Code Red alerts and assess its effectiveness for the public and said organizations operating the cooling centers. As an organization committed to connecting our communities to help, NJ 211 continues to advocate for this initiative and be of assistance to those in need.