|
Over $4 Million In Contracts Awarded For 2008 Programs
TOMS RIVER - Seniors living in Ocean County can count on a nutritious meal in addition to outreach services to help them enjoy their independence and a good quality of life.
The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently awarded five contracts totaling $2.3 million to continue the nutrition program into 2008 and also provide social services to the elderly.
"Under the leadership of Freeholder Joe Vicari, we provide our seniors with services that are second to none," said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly.
Four contracts, totaling $1.9 million, were awarded to Community Services Inc. of Ocean County to provide both home-delivered (daily and weekend/holiday) meals, and congregate meals to older county residents.
"We provide services that are essential to the quality of life for many of our seniors," said Vicari, who serves as chairman of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services.
"Providing our seniors with a nutritious meal and outreach services makes a tremendous difference in the lives of so many of them," he said. "Our home delivered meals program not only provides nutritional support to older adults who may be isolated, frail or disabled, but it also provides that important personal contact on a daily basis. For some, this is the limited contact they have with what goes on beyond their home. We bring community to them."
Under the contracts, Community Services, Inc. will serve more than 75,000 meals to seniors at their 10 nutrition sites throughout the county in 2008, according to Jane Maloney, director of the office of senior services.
Another 200,000 meals will be delivered to seniors who are too ill to cook for themselves and have no one to cook for them.
"In addition, we have awarded a contract to Community Services, Inc. to provide social support services such as outreach, benefits screenings, telephone reassurance and transportation to seniors," Vicari said.
The congregate meal program generally has an older, frailer population attending, and a significant number require transportation back and forth to the nutrition site and to access activities of daily living.
Each year, the board of chosen freeholders awards about $5 million for contractual senior programs ranging from health screenbusiness ings to transportation and caregiver support and education.
The bulk of the 2008 contracts will be awarded in January, with the money coming from a combination of federal, state and county sources.
"Every dollar is designed to help our seniors lead more comfortable and productive lives," Vicari said. "Ocean County is called home by more than 150,000 seniors. The goal of the office of senior services is to provide them with the best programs possible."
| 
