OPC is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary as well as being named named a 2025 New Jersey Top Workplace.

Empowering Communities through SEL Programs to Foster Mental Well-Being and Resilience

The Ocean County YMCA invites local families to Healthy Kids Day, a free and fun-filled event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 12, that kicks off a summer season of active play, learning, and connection.

Honoring the long-standing success of the Girls Empowerment Group (GEG)

The New Jersey State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) is a state funded program that provides housing subsidies on behalf of very low-income New Jersey residents, for decent, safe and sanitary housing. Enrollment Period is Monday, January 13, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. until Friday January 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

JERSEY SHORE, NJ - BlueClaws Charities announced a list of 40 organizations that received a grant through their annual distribution.

Publication Date: October 25, 2024 Response Deadline: December 2, 2024, by 12:00P.M. State Funding of $1,938,000 Available There will be a non-mandatory virtual conference on November 6, 2024 The link for the conference is: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1614625930 

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners is providing assurances to its most vulnerable population that warming centers will be available during the winter months to assist the homeless.

Request for Proposals (RFPs) will be used to develop programs and/or increase the availability of community-based resources to Ocean County youth experiencing emotional, behavioral, developmental, intellectual, substance use needs, and their families.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month: Ocean Partnership for Children's Dare to Care Event

Strategies to prepare children and teens for a new school year.

Ocean County Youth Services has undergone a major transformation, moving away from programs focused on juvenile supervision to one offering a wide range of services for at-risk and disadvantaged youth. The shift will result in helping approximately 5,500 young people in just this year.

Department of Human Services to Receive $2.5 Million Appropriation to Administer Essential Benefits

The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide is hosting a free mental health and wellness event for Ocean County families to promote mental health awareness and local health and wellness resources.

A list of cooling centers available in Ocean County for Summer 2024.

Finding out that one’s child has experienced sexual abuse can feel alarming and devastating.  The following are some tips for parents on ways to respond to the discovery that their child has lived through sexual trauma.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Mental Health Committee of Ocean County recently recognized Mary Jo Buchanan, LCSW, the former Executive Director of OPC with the esteemed "Community Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award."

As April unfolded, so did a profound opportunity for Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC) to amplify its commitment to autism awareness and acceptance.

Research shows rates of childhood depression and anxiety symptoms doubled during the pandemic

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Victoria Azzopardi, LCSW as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC), effective March 1st, 2024. 

Are you looking for a short-term rental of an apartment or house? Are you a homeowner, seeking to make extra income renting out your place to out-of-town visitors? Check out this information from the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs on tips to avoid property rental scams.
 

The Children’s System of Care (CSOC) is pleased to announce the reopening of the Assistive Technology program for youth with intellectual/developmental disabilities up to age 21 effective 12/15/2023. Interested families may call Perform Care (1-877-652-7624) to complete the application over the phone.

In a heartwarming display of community spirit and giving, the Ocean Partnership for Children (OPC)'s Nurtured Heart group recently hosted its 4th Annual Giving Challenge for staff during the week of November 27th. 

In 2022, the SPM child pover­ty rate jumped to 12%, more than twice the 2021 rate of 5%. This equates to about 9 mil­lion kids in 2022 liv­ing in fam­i­lies who do not have enough resources for basic needs such as food, hous­ing and utilities.

For youth determined eligible for Developmental Disability Services. Completed applications for CSOC Summer Camp Services (Financial Support toward Summer Camp Tuition and One-to-One Aide Services for Summer Camp) must be postmarked or received by PerformCare no later than June 30, 2024.

At least 24,000 children who are undocumented or whose legal residency is in flux are now covered

TOMS RIVER – In order to better meet the evolving needs of Ocean County's disadvantaged and homeless population, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners is poised to create a Homelessness Trust Fund to help bolster programs for the underprivileged with more flexibility.

When the head of the Toms River-based Ocean Partnership for Children says it has been serving local youth dealing with significant issues during the pandemic, it’s no understatement.

Psychological scientists examine potential beneficial and harmful effects of social media use on adolescents’ social, educational, psychological, and neurological development.

With increasing frequency, children are being removed from educational placements due to safety concerns, and their parents are told that, before their children can return to the classroom, they must undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

The law goes into effect in December of next year

More teens are in shelters. NJ looks to train workers to get them into needed programs

Strategies to prepare children and teens for a new school year.

The prospect of heading back to school can elicit mixed emotions among students no matter the age. While some may be eager and excited, others may feel anxious or nervous. Regardless of where your child falls on the spectrum, help them mentally prepare for their first day back.