The New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness is pleased to present this First Annual Congressional Report Card. This Report Card will allow all of us to know how our two Senators and thirteen members of the House of Representatives voted on key issues related to ending homelessness in New Jersey. Click here to get the most updated information: http://www.endinghomelessnessinnj.org/report-card
PUBLIC NOTICE–Advance Housing, Inc. announces the opening of its affordable housing waiting list for the Supportive Living Program for Bergen County for “Chronically Homeless Individuals” as of October 15, 2008. It will close on November 30, 2008.
Eligible individuals must be chronically homeless with a disabling condition**, 18 years of age and older, must earn below $30,650.00 annually.
Applications are available at the Start Easy Eagle Development Corp.’s (SEED, Corp.) office and on SEED, Corp.’s website www.seedcorp.org. All applications must be mailed to the address below to be considered:
SEED, Corp.
100 First Street, Suite 304
Hackensack, NJ 07601
All applicants will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Only one application per person will be accepted. Applications that are incomplete, illegible or received by fax will not be considered. Being placed on the waiting list is neither a guarantee nor a final determination of eligibility for housing.
Advance Housing, Inc. promotes equal housing opportunities and follows the guidelines of the fair housing laws and the American Disabilities Act.
** HUD’s definition of “Chronic Homelessness” is an individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years.
Congratulations to Advance Housing for receiving a Home Community Housing Development Organizations grant of $401,500.00. This award will provide funds for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 8 units of affordable rental housing including 5 units for special needs individuals, in the project known as Gingerbread Castle Homes in Hamburg, NJ.
On Wednesday, September 24, 2008 the Advance Housing clinical staff and consumers spent the afternoon in Van Saun Park for their annual picnic. It was a day of relaxation and socialization for all. This year, approximately 75 Advance Housing consumers attended and a good time was had by all. Transportation was not an issue as the staff provided a ride to any consumer who needed it. This year’s planning committee consisted of Zaiyyah Bowers, Aneesah Thomas, Laura Kohler, Roger Nafash and Luz Alvarez. Eric Arensen and Brian Moriarty were the chefs for the day. There was music throughout the day, a softball and volleyball game, a game of musical chairs and every half hour a raffle was conducted with goody bags given out.
A letter saying thank you is always a nice surprise. This letter was received from a consumer to Mary Rossettini, President/CEO: “Mary Rossettini, I want to bring to your attention Stephanie Lampariello. She is one of the most efficient and caring social workers I’ve ever met. She is very intelligent and always prompt. Stephanie goes the extra mile. I just want to thank Advance Housing for being there for me and I am glad there is such a great program.” Stephanie works in the HoST program.
The New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness coordinated the Second Annual Congressional Reception on July 30, 2008 and was attended by more than 200 individuals and families. They met with our legislators to inform them about issues of importance to our communities. One of the many individuals who attended is an Advance Housing HoST consumer, Frank Robertson. To read more about Frank and hear his words click here.
The New Jersey Advocacy Network to End Homelessness is a statewide organization whose mission is to advocate on a federal level for adequate funding for permanent affordable and supportive housing for homeless individuals and families. Advance Housing, Inc is a member of the advocacy network. For additional information on the Network click here.
On Thursday, July 24, 2008 Advance Housing had an in-service on “Cultural Diversity” conducted by TNT Educational Services. The 2 hour training was interactive and well received by all the staff who attended. Advance Housing continues to promote the diversity of the organization and our environment.
Giving to and caring for people comes naturally to one of the Advance Housing consumers. ML has knitted six beautiful blankets and has donated them to the HOGAR RAFAEL AYAU Orphanage in Guatemala.
Prior to participating in the Complete Wellness grant, sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services (DMHS) and created by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), Advance Housing was well on its way to addressing complete wellness with the individuals who receive services from the agency. On Friday, June 6, 2008 part of the Advance Housing team (pictured below) presented their success of the WRAP program to other organizations, employees of DMHS and UMDNJ.
In September of 2006 Advance Housing, Inc. sent a staff member, Alexandria Kublin, to a five day training in Vermont on the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). After completing this training Alexandria received a certificate as a Certified Recovery Educator. Alexandria brought the information back to the agency and presented several trainings to other staff. After the trainings, staff introduced the WRAP to consumers and began assisting them with understanding and implementing the WRAP as a tool for achieving and maintaining wellness in all areas of their life, including physical health.
The staff report learning that each person has their own motivators to move them toward complete wellness. The experience has also shown that consistency yields better results and that diligence pays off.
Shlomit Levy, Linda Laukaitis,Nicole Maharaj, Roger Nafash
The Advance Housing staff report that by implementing complete wellness, consumers’ outlooks became more hopeful, positive, motivated, and involved. Consumers have told them that originally they did not believe recovery was possible, and that now they are more optimistic about their ability to personally achieve Wellness and Recovery.
See the “Resident’s Corner” for a consumer’s experience of the Wellness Recovery Action Plan.
Strategic Plan
Advance Housing, Inc has entered its eleventh year of community service, and is in its third year under the current leadership. Our emphasis on Mission, Vision, and Values, has paid dividends in growth, stability, quality, and recognition. However, the coming years 2008-2011 poise new challenges that are very exciting, and that will test the foundations already set in place.
On May 26, 2008 there was a unanimous vote from the Board of Trustees for Advance Housing, Inc to move forward with the three year strategic plan. The strategic agenda is a new chapter in our growth process. While 2006 and 2007 has created enormous growth, our future includes: an intense focus on increasing the supportive housing stock, pressure on the mental health community’s financial stability, and governmental regulatory instability, both state and federal.
We face increasing pressure of accountability and transparency while balancing a competitive edge. We will lead with executive creativity, clinical foresight, and administrative stability.
With the Board’s approval of the goals and objectives of the plan, the President/CEO will be accountable for directing resources to ensure the goals are addressed and met.
Mary Rossettini and Bergen LEADS
I am pleased to announce Mary Rossettini, President/CEO has been accepted into the inaugural class of Bergen LEADS which begins in September 2008. Bergen LEADS is a year long learning and leadership experience for adults who live or work in Bergen County, sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, a private 501 ©3 non-profit corporation.
The program is open to any adult who lives in Bergen County and has exhibited leadership potential through community activities or in their profession, and who has an interest in strengthening Bergen County.
Participants will delve into their own leadership style and learn to maximize their strengths to become effective leaders. Class members will participate in defined service projects that provide an opportunity to develop solutions to real issues in the community. They will have guidance in using their Bergen LEADS experience to make Bergen County a better place in which to live and work.
The experiential, highly interactive curriculum is being developed by a team of community leaders, with the input and direction of William “Pat” Schuber, former Bergen County Executive and current instructor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Lynne H. Algrant, non-profit and leadership consultant, is developing the leadership and trusteeship portions of the program.
Advance Housing, Inc nominated for NJAMHA’s Courage and Compassion Provider of the Year Award
The Courage and Compassion Award was created by the New Jersey Association of Mental Health Agencies to honor organization’s commitment to improving the lives of individuals with mental illness. While the organization did not receive the award they were acknowledged for their innovative, positive work environment and leadership in the community.
Advance Housing is Dedicated to Consumer Privacy
Advance Housing has contracted with Safe Shredding LLC to handle the disposal of confidential information. Safe Shredding has provided the organization with locking containers for the collection of documentation to be destroyed. The documents they are given are destroyed on the premises, and the paper is recycled. AH is then provided with a Certificate of Destruction of confidential material collected and shredded.
Countywide Mental Health Advocacy Breakfast
Advance Housing in conjunction with the Bergen County Mental Health Board, Care Plus NJ, Christian Health Care Center, Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare, North Jersey Friendship House, Vantage Health System and West Bergen Mental Healthcare hosted the Countywide Mental Health Advocacy Breakfast at the Seasons Restaurant in Washington Township on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 from 8:00am – 10:00am to celebrate the partnerships and accomplishments.
The keynote speaker was Alison Malmon, Executive Director of Active Minds. Active Minds is the nation's only peer-to-peer organization dedicated to raising awareness about mental health among college students. The organization serves as the young adult voice in mental health advocacy on over one hundred college campuses nationwide. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Active Minds, Inc. is a nonprofit that develops and supports student-run mental health awareness, education, and advocacy chapters on college campuses across the country. Each student group's mission is to:
- Increase awareness of mental health issues;
- Provide information and resources regarding mental health and mental illness;
- Encourage students to seek help as soon as it is needed;
- Serve as liaison between students and the mental health community;
Advance Housing participates in Point-In-Time Survey
On January 29, 2008 New Jersey conducted the national Point-In-Time Survey. The survey/count was done on the same day this year, in every county in New Jersey, using the same tool in order to identify a need to the government which will leverage funds to provide affordable housing and services to the communities in New Jersey.
It is with great pride to announce that 27 Advance Housing employees participated in the State count in three counties; Bergen, Hudson and Sussex.
President/ CEO, Mary Rossettini volunteered her time in Bergen County at the Project Homeless Connect site which was at the Bergen County CAP Drop In Center.
Nancy Storey, Vice President of Development and Rosella Lent, administrative assistant, were also completing surveys at the Project Homeless Connect site.
Additional staff who were at the Project Homeless Connect site are: Courtney Graham, Lindsey Mazur, Ali Kublin, Olivia Santiago, Linda Laukaitis, Wendy Taylor, Natasha Kovic, Aneesah Thomas, and Paige Espinal.
Faith Waters, Vice President of Clinical Services monitored and tracked the safety of the 11 Advance Housing employees who were on the streets in Bergen County.
A special thank you goes out to the staff who started their workday at 5:30am and completed 48 surveys to count the homeless individuals living on the streets.
Rachel Kriegel, Davida Cohen, Grace Gawryluk, Nicole Cucciniello, Eric Arnesen, Yudelka Mieses, Theodora Cartes, Heather Jacobson, Luz Alvarez, Stephanie Lampariello, Roger Nafash
The employees who were in Sussex County are: Cindy Everitt and Gail Casabona
The employee who volunteered her time in Hudson County is: Jane Giambona
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Local television station, WMBC interviews Ms. DelValle and Ms. Rossettini
On Monday, January 28, 2008 Ms. Donna DelValle, Executive Director of Start Easy Eagle Development (SEED) and Ms. Mary Rossettini, President/CEO of Advance Housing Inc. were interviewed by a local Sussex County television station, WMBC.
Ms. DelValle spoke about the Demarest Farms project - an existing barn in Lafayette, NJ in Sussex County which will be converted to 10 affordable housing units for the mentally ill. According to the Point-in-Time survey conducted last year in Sussex County there were 200 homeless mentally ill. There will also be an extension built for 10 persons with physical disabilities
According to Ms. DelValle, the city and township have been very supportive of the project.
There is a September 2009 anticipated open date for Demarest Farms.
In January 2008, Advance Housing was once again approved for an expansion of their Homeless Service Team (HoST) program to serve an additional 10 homeless adults living with mental illness. If not for safe, affordable supportive housing, and the services to support the consumers in the community, they face a great possibility of ending up admitted to a state psychiatric hospital.
In 2007, Advance Housing was awarded additional funds to expand their Supportive Living Program in Sussex County for 6 additional consumers to be discharged from Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital. Consumers are being assisted in identifying needed vocational, medical, and psychiatric services in the community.
Also, in 2007, Advance Housing was awarded funds to expand their Supportive Housing program in Bergen County for 10 additional consumers from Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital.
On July 18 and 19, 2007 Advance Housing, Inc had their annual housing inspection. The program elements funded by the Division of Mental Health Services are:
Residential, Supportive Living Program (SLP), Residential Intensive Support Team (RIST) and Affordable Housing Resource Center (AHRC).
The Supportive Housing program is geared toward homeless adults with mental illness. Consumers receive affordable housing plus an array of case management services.
The Supportive Living Program (SLP) is designed to ensure consumers of mental health services have permanent, safe and affordable housing. The SLP team is operational daily from 8:00a – 9:00p.
The agency operates a housing program called ACCEP (Advance Consumer Choice and Empowerment Program) that targets consumer residents being discharged from Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, and follows the residential intensive support team (RIST) model. The RIST is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Affordable Housing Resource Center (AHRC) provides assistance locating affordable housing information and referral to people with disabilities.
The agency passed their inspection with no deficiencies and no outstanding compliance issues!!!
Advance Housing announces the affordable housing waiting list for the Supportive Living Program in Sussex County is still open.
Eligible individuals 18 years of age and older must earn below $30,650.00 annually and have a primary Axis I mental health diagnosis.
Applications are available at the Advance Housing office. All applications must be mailed to the address below to be considered:
SEED, Corp.
Attention: Property Manager
100 First Street, Suite 304
Hackensack, NJ 07601
All applicants will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Only one application per person will be accepted. Applications that are incomplete, illegible or received by fax will not be considered. Being placed on the waiting list is neither a guarantee nor a final determination of eligibility for housing.
Advance Housing, Inc. promotes equal housing opportunities and follows the guidelines of the fair housing laws and the American Disabilities Act.
In April 2007 – Advance Housing was featured in an article by NJAMHA News for the addition of a new facility and earning an award for supportive housing. The article [PDF], starting on page 4 describes Advance Housing’s accomplishments this past year. NJAMHA is comprised of the leading mental health care providers who treat New Jersey residents with mental illness and their families. They have become a leader in providing effective advocacy and legislative support to their members and the community. For more information on the NJAMHA (New Jersey Association of Mental Health Agencies) please go to our links section.
2007 Fundraiser at the Pegasus – Another successful fundraiser occurred at the Pegasus Restaurant at the Meadowlands Racetrack. The guests participated in the tricky tray, 50/50 raffle, and horse racing. Many wonderful prizes were donated for the tricky tray from local businesses, board members, and other members of the community. The night was topped off with a lovely buffet dinner.