Mercer County, NJ | Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find affordable, emergency, transitional and general housing information?
Where do I find information on rent, mortgage, security, and utility assistance?
I am interested in food and medical assistance?
Looking for General Human Services Information?
I am looking for Legal Services to the Indigent?
We want Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Information?
What is the Traumatic Loss Coalition of Mercer County?
Are there general warning signs for suicide attempts?
What are the strongest risk factors for suicide in youth?
What are the symptoms of adolescent depression?
What should you do if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide?
What are the activities of the Traumatic Loss Coalition of Mercer County?
When does the Traumatic Loss Coalition of Mercer County meet?
If I am currently experiencing or witnessing a psychiatric emergency, where do I go or Whom do I call for assistance?
I need or have been told that I need mental health services, how do I make an appointment for an evaluation?
How can I get treatment services in Mercer County?
What is the Municipal Alliance Program?
How can I receive information or receive an application for the Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program?
What is the income eligibility to receive services at Mercer County Neighborhood Centers?
How do I find out about available benefits and services for seniors?
How can I find information about Medicare?
How do I report a suspected case of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation?
Where do I report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation, of the elderly living in nursing facilities, assisted living residences and other licensed health care facilities?
How can I access free transportation services for medical or recreational services?
Are there any home delivered meal programs funded by the County?
Is there telephone reassurance program in Mercer County?
Where can I access mental health services?
Are volunteers available to help older adults?
Where can I find out about physical health and wellness education and prevention programs?
Where can I find information about care management services and socialization/recreation programming specifically for City residents?
Does Mercer County have a congregate meal program?
What is the required age for senior services?
What in-home services are available through the County Office on Aging?
What support services are available for senior caregivers and those caring for a senior?
How can I access referral services, outreach and care management services?
How can I receive an Office on Aging newsletter or directory of services?
Where can I access information about affordable senior housing?
Are there financial services available to assist seniors with home energy bills?
Where can I access benefits like Medicaid, food stamps, and social services?
How can I access respite care services?
Is there a program that will assist seniors during the hot summer months?**
How can I get treatment services in Mercer County?
What is the Municipal Alliance Program?

How do I find affordable, emergency, transitional and general housing information?
Contact the Human Services Non-Emergency Helpline by dailing 2-1-1 or 1-888-908-4636, operated by Info-Line of Central Jersey.
Where do I find information on rent, mortgage, security, and utility assistance?
Contact the Human Services Non-Emergency Helpline by dailing 2-1-1 or 1-888-908-4636, operated by Info-Line of Central Jersey.
I am interested in food and medical assistance?
Contact the Human Services Non-Emergency Helpline by dailing 2-1-1 or 1-888-908-4636, operated by Info-Line of Central Jersey.
Looking for General Human Services Information?
Contact the Human Services Non-Emergency Helpline by dailing 2-1-1 or 1-888-908-4636, operated by Info-Line of Central Jersey.
I am looking for Legal Services to the Indigent?
Contact the Human Services Non-Emergency Helpline by dailing 2-1-1 or 1-888-908-4636, operated by Info-Line of Central Jersey.
We want Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Information?
Contact the Human Services Non-Emergency Helpline by dailing 2-1-1 or 1-888-908-4636, operated by Info-Line of Central Jersey.
What is the Traumatic Loss Coalition of Mercer County?
The Traumatic Loss Coalition (TLC) of Mercer County is a voluntary group of professionals, community members and involved residents who provide a coordinated response to traumatic loss events that affect youth. The coalition was founded in 1995 as a result of a series of tragic losses, including three suicide clusters within eighteen months that occurred among teenagers in Mercer County. The Coalition includes representatives from schools, mental health agencies, clergy, law enforcement, elected officials, community leaders and youth-serving organizations.
Are there general warning signs for suicide attempts?
- Talking, reading, or writing about suicide or death
- Talking about feeling worthless or helpless
- Saying things like, “I’m going to kill myself,”
- “I wish I were dead,” or “I shouldn’t have been born”
- Visiting or calling people to say goodbye
- Giving things away
- A sudden interest in drinking alcohol
- Purposely putting oneself in danger
- Obsessed with death, violence, and guns or knives
- Previous suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts
What are the strongest risk factors for suicide in youth?
- Depression
- Substance abuse
- Aggressive behavior
  
  -National Institute for Mental Health,
  In Harms Way, 2003
What are the symptoms of adolescent depression?
- Frequent sadness, tearfulness, crying
- Hopelessness
- Decreased interest in activities; or inability to enjoy previously favorite activities
- Persistent boredom; low energy
- Social isolation, poor communication
- Low self esteem and guilt
- Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
- Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
- Difficulty with relationships
- Frequent complaints of physical illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches
- Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
- Poor concentration
- A major change in eating and/or sleeping patterns
- Talk of or efforts to run away from home
- Thoughts or expressions of suicide or self-destructive behavior
  
  -AACAP, The Depressed Child
What should you do if you or someone you know is contemplating suicide?
Seek help without delay. In Mercer County, call for help at:
- Mercer County’s Designated Psychiatric Emergency Screening Center at 609-396-HELP or 609-989-7297
- CONTACT - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Local Police call 911
What are the activities of the Traumatic Loss Coalition of Mercer County?
- TLC provides educational training workshops and conferences
  to equip professionals with the knowledge necessary to respond
  appropriately to crisis events and to minimize personal trauma and
  the threat of suicidal contagion among youth.
- TLC distributes a diverse assortment of suicide prevention and
  risk-assessment literature
- TLC holds monthly coalition meetings to maintain community
  cohesion and sustain issue awareness, track traumatic events
  within Mercer County and respond to diverse community needs
  affecting youth.
- TLC assists schools in preparing their emergency crisis plan
  using the Managing Sudden Traumatic Loss in the Schools Manual.
When does the Traumatic Loss Coalition of Mercer County meet?
The Traumatic Loss Coalition of Mercer County meets the second
Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 at:
Catholic Charities Mobile Response and Stabilization Services
3535 Quakerbridge Road Suite 201
Mercerville, NJ 08619
If I am currently experiencing or witnessing a psychiatric emergency, where do I go or Whom do I call for assistance?
Mercer County’s Designated Psychiatric Emergency Screening Center is located at Capital Health System’s Helene Fuld Campus,
750 Brunswick Avenue
Trenton, NJ 08638.
They can be reached at (609) 396-HELP (4357). Services include nursing
assessment, evaluation by a psychiatrist, information and referral to community-based services and access to inpatient hospitalization.
I need or have been told that I need mental health services, how do I make an appointment for an evaluation?
The Mercer County Division of Mental Health does not provide direct clinical services; as such, if you require an evaluation you must contact a mental health service provider directly. You can find contact information for area agencies elsewhere on this website. Alternatively, you can contact the Division of Mental Health and request a brochure outlining services and contact information. We can be reached at (609) 989-6574.
How can I get treatment services in Mercer County?
If you are a indigent Mercer County resident, you must call an approved Out-patient agency and ask for a substance abuse evaluation. The agency will schedule an assessment appointment. After the assessment they will determine the level of care that you need and proceed to help you get that level of care. Level of care ranges from Detox, to Residential Treatment.
What is the Municipal Alliance Program?
The Municipal Alliance Program is a drug/alcohol prevention and education program. Eight Municipalities in Mercer County have the program in their community.
How can I receive information or receive an application for the Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program?
The Mercer County Child Care Voucher Program is now being admistered through the United Way of Greater Mercer County. For further assistance, please contact:
LaVerne Ombadykow, Program Coordiantro at the United Way of Greater Mercer County
Phone: 609-637-4908
What is the income eligibility to receive services at Mercer County Neighborhood Centers?
Individuals or families must be 125% above the Federal Poverty Level.
How do I find out about available benefits and services for seniors?
For information and Assistance, call the Mercer County Office on Again - NJ EASE toll free number at 1-877-222-3737.
How can I find information about Medicare?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit them on the web at www.medicare.gov.
How do I report a suspected case of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation?
Call Adult Protective Services of New Jersey at 1-800-792-8820.
Where do I report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation, of the elderly living in nursing facilities, assisted living residences and other licensed health care facilities?
Contact the Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly at 1-877-582-6995.
How can I access free transportation services for medical or recreational services?
Call Transportation Resources to Aid the Disadvantaged and Elderly (TRADE) at 530-1971.
Are there any home delivered meal programs funded by the County?
Yes! Contact the American Red Cross 951-8550 or Mobile Meals of Trenton/Ewing at 695-3483.
Is there telephone reassurance program in Mercer County?
Through Contact of Mercer County, a daily reassurance call is made to homebound older adults. Call 883-2880 for more information.
Where can I access mental health services?
Senior and caregiver mental health services and education are available through Greater Trenton Behavior Health Care. Call 396-6788 for details.
Are volunteers available to help older adults?
Contact Interfaith Caregivers of Trenton at 393-9922 or visit them on the web at www.interfaithcaregiverstrenton.org.
Where can I find out about physical health and wellness education and prevention programs?
Contact Henry J Austin Health Center at 278-5952.
Where can I find information about care management services and socialization/recreation programming specifically for City residents?
Call the City of Trenton Office on Aging at 989-3336. For Care Management services open to all County residents, please contact the Mercer County Office on Aging at 1-877-222-3737.
Does Mercer County have a congregate meal program?
For information or to make a reservation call the Mercer County Nutrition Program for the Elderly at 989-6650.
What is the required age for senior services?
Programs funded by the Mercer County Office on Aging are available to Mercer County seniors 60 years of age or older, and their caregivers.
What in-home services are available through the County Office on Aging?
Home Health Aide services are available through Mercer Street Friends, Friends Home Health Care Program. Please contact them at 396-1507. Additional services are available through Mount Carmel Guild at 392-5159 and through the Mercer County Board of Social Services at 989-4346. Additional services can be accessed by calling the NJ EASE toll free number at 1-877-222-3737.
What support services are available for senior caregivers and those caring for a senior?
Professional in home support, mental health counseling/stress relief, and trained volunteer assistance are available through the Arc Mercer. For more information call the Arc Mercer at 406-0181 or visit their web site at www.arcmercer.org.
How can I access referral services, outreach and care management services?
Call the NJ EASE toll free number at 1-877-222-3737 to access you local County Office on Aging.
How can I receive an Office on Aging newsletter or directory of services?
Call the NJ EASE toll free number at 1-877-222-3737 to access you local County Office on Aging.
Where can I access information about affordable senior housing?
Contact the New Jersey Division of Aging and Community Services for information at 1-800-792-8820.
Are there financial services available to assist seniors with home energy bills?
The Mercer County Home Energy Assistance Program accepts applications for assistance from November to March to help defray the cost of energy bills. For details and more information, call 989-6959.
Where can I access benefits like Medicaid, food stamps, and social services?
Contact the Mercer County Board of Social Services at 989-4230.
How can I access respite care services?
St. Francis Medical Center administrates the Mercer County Respite Care Project and offers in home or community based respite services to senior caregivers. Contact the program at 599-5241.
Is there a program that will assist seniors during the hot summer months?**
The Mercer County Office on Aging Summer Cooling Program offers free air conditioning units or fans to qualified individuals. Designated cooling sites are also provided throughout the County at locations such as Congregate Nutrition site and County Library Branches. For more information call the Unite Way at 637-4910 for details.

**Please note, this service is slated to begin again in 2006, however there are current funding issues that may delay or eliminate this program entirely. I wanted to give all pertinent information to this committee, however please do not post this program until you receive confirmation from this office.
How can I get treatment services in Mercer County?
If you are a indigent Mercer County resident, you must call an approved Out-patient agency and ask for a substance abuse evaluation. The agency will schedule an assessment appointment. After the assessment they will determine the level of care that you need and proceed to help you get that level of care. Level of care ranges from Detox, to Residential Treatment.
What is the Municipal Alliance Program?
The Municipal Alliance Program is a drug/alcohol prevention and education program. Eight Municipalities in Mercer County have the program in their community.