September Order Deadline Set for Food Assistance Program

Fresh, refrigerated and frozen foods are available to northwestern New Jersey residents at sharply reduced prices through the Jolin Food Box program.  The food assistance program offers a variety of ordering options, from breakfast-lunch-dinner combination packs to boxes of dinner entrees to special packages just for children.  Each month features a variety of high-quality menu items from seafood and poultry to baked goods and prepared meals. 

The price of a single box ranges from $22 - $40.  There is no limit to the number of boxes an individual or family can purchase, and the menu changes each month.  The program even takes food stamps.  Interested residents can order online with a credit card at www.jolinfoodbox.comor by calling Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.  Payment is made when the order is placed.  The next deadline for placing an order is Monday, September 9th; delivery will be made to Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, September 21st.  To find out more about the monthly food deliveries by the Jolin Food Box Program at Project Self-Sufficiency, or any of the other programs and services available at the agency, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Enroll in NJ Family Care Health Insurance at Project Self-Sufficiency

Project Self-Sufficiency offers open enrollment appointments for New Jersey Family Care, the health insurance plan offered by the state of New Jersey to eligible children and low-income parents, every Wednesday morning, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., and every Thursday evening, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. 

New Jersey Family Care is a comprehensive health insurance program that provides a wide range of services, including visits to a physician, eye glasses, hospitalization, lab work, x-rays, prescriptions, regular checkups, mental health, and dental coverage.  Medical services are available at Health Maintenance Organizations in each county.  Depending on family income, there may be restrictions on certain services.  Coverage in the health care plan is available for children 18 years of age and younger, as well as parents who meet income eligibility requirements.  Eligibility is based on family size, monthly income and other factors.  Beginning January 2014, New Jersey Family Care will include CHIP, Medicaid and Medicaid expansion populations, meaning qualified New Jersey residents of any age may be eligible for free or low cost health insurance that covers doctor visits, prescriptions, vision, dental care, mental health and substance use services and even hospitalization.   Open enrollment for this new eligibility group begins October 1, 2013. Coverage will begin January 1, 2014.

 

Beginning October 1, 2013, the Affordable Care Act will change the Medicaid eligibility rules by streamlining the populations covered under New Jersey Family Care to include children, pregnant women, parents/caretaker relatives, single adults and childless couples.  Financial eligibility will be determined by the latest federal tax return which, when filed, will be electronically verified.

 

Currently, parents and guardians who have not resided in the United States as Legal Permanent Residents for at least five years are not eligible for NJ FamilyCare.  However, any pregnant woman, regardless of date of entry can apply and be determined eligible.  The income eligibility level for children's coverage is 350% of the federal poverty level.   For example, children in a family of four with a monthly income of up to $6,432 could be eligible for coverage.  The program is also accepting applications from parents and guardians with work income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level.  For example, parents and guardians in a family of four, making up to $2,444 per month, may be eligible.  However, some parents and guardians in a family making up to $2,444 may not be eligible because income such as unemployment, child support and government benefits are counted differently. 

 

Parents at higher income levels may have the option of purchasing health insurance for their children at reasonable rates through the New Jersey Family Care ADVANTAGE program.  Applicants will be eligible for New Jersey Family Care only if they have been uninsured for a period of at least three months, or if health coverage was lost due to layoffs or other factors.  Depending on income, other exceptions may apply for families privately paying for health insurance or for COBRA benefits.  For many families, New Jersey Family Care will be free.  Other families will pay a monthly premium based on their income and small co-payments for some services.

 

Immigrant parent/caretakers who are legal permanent residents of the United States must have had that status for at least five years in order to be eligible for NJ FamilyCare.  Children age 18 or younger in "Qualified" immigrant status are able to apply for NJ FamilyCare, regardless of the date that they entered the United States; they do not have to wait five years to be eligible.  "Qualified" status includes a lawful permanent resident, a refugee, an asylee, a Cuban-Haitian entrant, an undocumented resident whose deportation is being withheld by USCIS, an Amerasian immigrant, a child of an honorably discharged United States military veteran, a child of a member of the United States military, an immigrant paroled for over one year, or an applicant under the Violence Against Women Act.  Certain American Indians born in Canada are treated the same as a United States citizen for the purpose of Medicaid eligibility.

Applicants are required to bring proof of income, citizenship information, social security number, and information about existing health coverage to the enrollment appointment.  Interested applicants are encouraged to call Project Self-Sufficiency or visit the New Jersey Family Care website, www.njfamilycare.org, for more information.  Individual appointments at Project Self-Sufficiency are free and open to the public, but registration is required.   Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.   To register, or to find out more about enrollment in the New Jersey Family Care program, visit www.projectselfsufficiency.orgor call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Bankruptcy Seminar in September

Virginia Liotta, Esquire, will discuss the process of filing for bankruptcy, as well as the options available to those facing overwhelming credit card dept, foreclosure or asset repossession at a free Bankruptcy Seminar on Thursday, September 11th, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Free and open to the public; registration required.  To register, call 973-940-3500.

Brush Up on Your Computer Skills in September

Project Self-Sufficiency will be offering a variety of computer classes in September, including an Introduction to Personal Computers, introductory classes in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel, a course in QuickBooks accounting software, and workshops designed specifically for seniors and for men.  All classes will take place in the agency’s Career Center, which is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.   The fee for each Microsoft course is $10, the class for seniors is $25, and all of the remaining workshops are free.     Students must be registered Family Success Center or Project Self-Sufficiency participants. 

A basic Introduction to Personal Computers will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, September 9^th – 25th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  This introductory course is designed for first-time computer users or people with limited computer experience.  Students will learn computer basics, including the different components of the computer and the performance of simple procedures.  Fundamental keyboarding skills and a brief overview of popular software applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook will also be discussed.  

Introductory classes in Microsoft Word will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, September 9^th – 25^th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 10^th – 26^th, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Students will learn word-processing techniques, including the creation of professional-looking letters, faxes, newsletters and other documents, as well as the use of mail merge features used to print mailing labels and address letters to multiple recipients.  Participation in the introductory level Microsoft Word course is required prior to registration in the advanced class.

Those interested in learning about Microsoft Excel are encouraged to attend an introductory class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 10^th – 26^th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Instruction will center on the creation of spreadsheets, databases and workbooks for use in tracking inventory, sorting data and creating mailing lists.  Students will learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide rows and columns using formulas and become adept at storing, managing and interpreting data.  Students must complete the introductory level Microsoft Excel class before registration in the advanced course.

Seniors are invited to familiarize themselves with personal computers, learn how to use email and safely navigate the internet with “Better with Technology,” which will be offered on Fridays, September 6^th – 20^th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

A course in QuickBooks Accounting Software will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from September 10^th – October 3^rd, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   Students will learn how to organize personal or business finances, track orders and payments, generate invoices, monitor and manage expenses and produce sophisticated reports and sales forecasts. 

Microsoft PowerPoint and Outlook will be explained in a course on Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 10^th – 26^th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.   Participants are invited to learn how to manage email, set up online calendars, create custom slide shows and sophisticated presentations.

A special Men’s Employment Lab will be offered on Tuesdays, September 10^th – 24^th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., and on Wednesdays, September 11^th– 25th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Participants will receive basic computer instruction, and assistance with resume development and job search techniques.

The agency will also offer a series of workshops during the day and evening which are designed to help participants land and succeed at new jobs.  Courses will cover “Resumes & Cover Letters”, “Interviewing Skills”, “Job Search & Networking Techniques”, “Financial Management”, “Workplace Literacy”, “Salary Negotiations”, and “Careering 102.”  Project Self-Sufficiency’s Career Center also offers help with obtaining a GED, job training for women and young adults, career counseling and assessment, Job Start and Job Search services.   Interested participants are encouraged to contact the agency for a schedule.

The fee for each Microsoft course is $10, the class for seniors is $25, and all other seminars are free.  All computer classes at the agency are open to registered Family Success Center and Project Self-Sufficiency participants.  To inquire about eligibility, or to find out more about the computer courses, seminars or career fairs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Learn Microsoft Word in Blairstown next Month

Blairstown-area residents are invited to learn advanced word processing techniques using Microsoft Word at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Main Street location on Thursdays, September 5^th – 19^th, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.  Students will explore the creation of professional-looking letters, faxes, newsletters and other documents, as well as the use of mail merge features used to print mailing labels and address letters to multiple recipients.  Participation in the introductory level Microsoft Word course is required prior to registration in the advanced class.  The agency’s computer lab is located in the First Presbyterian Outreach Center at 35 Main Street in Blairstown.  

A complete roster of computer classes and employability skills courses are offered at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Newton location all year long, including classes in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook; QuickBooks accounting software; workshops addressing techniques for job search, interviewing, resume development and financial management; and courses designed just for seniors and men. 

For more information, call the Project Self-Sufficiency office in Blairstown at 908-362-1777, or phone the agency’s Newton office at 973-940-3500.  Information about the agency’s services is also available at www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Free Mammograms offered in September

On Thursday, September 12th, a mobile mammography van will be available at Project Self-Sufficiency to offer free mammograms to eligible women.   

To receive a free mammogram, women must be uninsured or underinsured and over the age of 40.  Mammograms will be offered by appointment only, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.   Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  Interested participants are encouraged to call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to schedule an appointment. 

Registration Underway at Little Sprouts

Parents who are thinking about the back-to-school season are encouraged to take a look at the daycare and the morning and afternoon pre-school programs offered at the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center.  Families with children from infancy through the age of six are invited to tour the daycare and preschool facility, which is located on the Project Self-Sufficiency campus at 127 Mill Street in Newton.

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center features separate classrooms for each age group, from infants through those entering pre-school.  Fully-qualified teachers are available in each classroom and the child-teacher ratio adheres to or exceeds state standards.  In addition to the sparkling classrooms, there is an all-purpose room for active indoor play and parent presentations, as well as a sick room for those children who may fall ill during the day.  The center is equipped with two separate playgrounds, one for younger tots and one for older children.  Each room has new equipment, as well as learning centers for dramatic play, computers, science, housekeeping, sand and water play, reading, and music. 

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center, which has been named after B. Douglas Gordon and Elizabeth Houskeeper Gordon, uses “Creative Curriculum” in all of its programs.  “Creative Curriculum helps instructors to design a preschool program that teaches children important academic skills and helps them to develop socially,” notes Claire Willetts, Program Coordinator at Project Self-Sufficiency.   “The classrooms are set up to give structure to each child’s day, and to provide appropriate experiences for children, in accordance with their level of development.  The curriculum also involves families in the program, and guides learning in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology while supporting children’s social and emotional development.”

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center offers the National School Lunch Program(NLSP), a federally-assisted meal program which provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day.  Any child may purchase a meal through the NLSP.  Children from families at or below 130% of the poverty level are eligible for free meals.  Those with incomes between 130% - 185% of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals, for which students can be charged no more than 40 cents.  Children who are part of households who receive food stamps or benefits under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) are automatically eligible.   Afterschool snacks are provided to children on the same income eligibility basis.

“We are delighted to be able to offer quality childcare services to the community in a state-of-the-art building,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “Our staff is excellent, our site is beautiful, and the curriculum we offer will ensure that all of the children placed in our care learn the social and academic skills they need to succeed.”

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  Little Sprouts offers space for 83 youngsters, ages 6 weeks to 6 years.  The facility accepts all types of subsidized daycare assistance, and slots for new students are still available.  For more information visit the center’s website, www.littlesproutsearlylearningcenter.org or call 973-940-3540.