With both kinds of traumatic events on the rise, school counselors can't keep up with the demand for mental health services.

It’s hard enough for parents to have “the talk” about sexual health with their kids, but parents of LGBTQ children feel especially uncomfortable and unequipped when they try to educate them about sex and dating, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.

One third of children who have autism spectrum disorder also have epilepsy. It’s related to a major autism risk gene, which is mutated in patients with autism. But scientists didn’t now why the mutation, catnap2, caused seizures.

“Our mission is to prepare and deliver hot meals and more during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and a Summer BBQ to give a little hope to our local veterans and those in need,” Baker said in a statement. “A little hope that there is a reason to believe. We come back four times a year so they know they are not forgotten.”

Soroptimist International focuses on empowering women to help them improve their lives.

Toms River’s first splash pad and spray park is also slated to be the first in the area to be all-inclusive — that is, accessible to those with physical and developmental disabilities.

The center is for people in various state aid programs who are still rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy

The AARP Community Challenge funds projects that build momentum for local change to improve livability for all residents. - Applications are now being accepted for small grants to improve housing, transportation, public space and other community elements that support great places for all people of all ages. 

It's fast becoming the go-to drug for addicts in search of an even stronger high — and it is not even an opioid.

You may be surprised to see which New Jersey school districts have the most — and least — drug and alcohol cases.

Veterans may not be aware of the $3,000 state income tax exemption that is newly available when for filing for the 2017 year and in the future.

Help local young ladies and men go to their prom! Donate a formal dress or tuxedo to give a student the opportunity to attend their dances.

Opportunities for sensory-friendly programming abound during April, which is Autism Awareness Month.

The job fair, held at Brookdale Community College, is seeking employers. There will be about 1,000 job seekers there.

OCEAN COUNTY –  Despite advertising, e-cigarettes often contain more than just flavored water. With the increasing popularity of vapes among the younger generation, schools have begun to adopt no-vaping policies that align with no-smoking policies on campus. 

A package of bills seeks to expand number of poor and low-income students getting federally funded meals at school, track those not being fed

How Do I Get Started?

With help! CentraState offers a 7-week, evidence based smoking cessation program for anyone who is ready to quit. The program provides the support and professional guidance you need to quit for good.

STAFFORD - Family Promise of Southern Ocean County, an organization that helps homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence, is hosting Cardboard Box City, April 27 and 28. 

The Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey is now accepting applications for our annual scholarship program for New Jersey high school seniors who have epilepsy.

The program is open only to Toms River residents. Read on for details.

Help yourself, and them, by learning techniques to manage stress in a healthy way.

Finding proactive ways to deal with worried feelings

How it helps kids regulate behavior and focus on learning

Peer-to-peer education program launched by University of Michigan Depression Center significantly boosts knowledge & attitudes; manual now available online

For some students, having enough to eat while they are paying for college is a serious issue. Students at OCC are aiming to help.

Saturday, June 9, 2018 - The Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program's Youth Fishing Challenge is a statewide event to promote fishing among youths and their families. In 2018 it will be held on the first of the state's two Free Fishing Days, Saturday, June 9, when no license is required to fish regardless of age.

LITTLE EGG HARBOR – Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department recently became the seventh department in Ocean County to join in on the Blue HART program for addiction recovery assistance, Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced.

OCEAN COUNTY – Seventy-five area children recently completed a six-week “Motivate, Overcome, Visualize, Empower” (M.O.V.E.) community basketball clinic at Abundant Grace Church, Toms River. The church provided the venue; the county prosecutor’s office juvenile unit and PBA 171 sponsored the event.

The course, to be offered as an elective in the Brick schools next fall, aims to get kids involved with the outdoors and away from drugs.

CSOC will be providing Summer Camp Services to eligible children, youth and  young adults under 21 years of age. These services include Financial Support toward Summer Camp Tuition and One-to-One Aide Services for Summer Camp.

 Children and adolescents undergoing surgery can be swept up in the ongoing opioid epidemic, according to a review and update in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, official journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA).

The opioid epidemic has become so severe it's considered a national public health emergency. Addiction to prescription painkillers, such as oxycodone and morphine, has contributed to a dramatic rise in overdose deaths and health care costs. What many don't realize, it's also associated with an alarming number of children placed into foster care.

Due to the impending weather predictions which forecast snow or coastal flooding in some areas, those in need of overnight solace from any hazardous conditions may seek assistance at the following:

Lakewood Community Center - 20 4th Street, Lakewood 

Tuesday 03/06/18 & Wednesday 03/07/18 - 7:00pm until 8:00am

Three sessions this summer

TOMS RIVER -  Construction could start this summer on the "Field of Dreams," a park designed to give special needs kids a place to play.

The Green Acres hearing is required because a change of use for the land at Bey Lea Park must be approved.

STAFFORD – Local students and community members got some unique insight and educational tips during a seminar on the importance of recognizing and dealing with sexual violence, held recently at the Bay Avenue Community Center in Manahawkin.

The weeklong summer camp focuses on creativity and innovation as students try to solve real-world problems, the district says.

Health Department officials made the announcement at the Board of Freeholders meeting on Thursday

TOMS RIVER – With the cold weather and the recent end of the holiday “season of giving,” it is important to remember that there are still homeless and at-risk individuals in our areas that need our help.

Multiple dates are available in a number of municipalities.

You must make an appointment, but there are sites around town to make access easier.

OCEAN COUNTY – The Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) will be hosting an information session for the Academy of Law and Public Safety (ALPS) for the 2018-2019 school year! Come out to discover what this full-time educational program has to offer.

JACKSON ? Six Flags Great Adventure will be bringing the fun into the classroom with the new “Wild Encounters” program! T

JACKSON – Elms Elementary School in Jackson was one of nine NJ schools to receive a competitive mini grant to develop Farm to School activities, announced New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher.

The K.E.Y.S. Academy brings new hope to students recovering from addiction. 

MANCHESTER – As a thank you for letting them serve the community, Oliverie Funeral Home is promoting and supporting a new life-saving app.

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The only reason I feel like I can actually give tips for successful coparenting is because I practice them myself! My two daughters´ father and I separated seven years ago as a couple. But we did not stop being parents to our kids just because we couldn´t make our marriage work (and believe me, we tried to make it work!).

NJCounts 2017 found 8,532 homeless men, women and children, across the state of New Jersey.  This number decreased by 409 persons (4.6%) from 2015.   NJCounts 2017 counted individuals who were homeless on the night of January 25, 2017. NJCounts 2018 will on January 24, 2018.