NNews-Aug-2025

As a designated Representative Payee, Family & Children’s Service is approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to assist individuals and families who are unable to appropriately manage their finances due to physical, mental or emotional impairment and/or substance abuse. Representative Payee clients may be young or elderly, developmentally disabled or suffering from drug or alcohol addiction or mental health problems. They may be referred to FCS by a local social service organization, a mental health facility, the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities, the SSA, the Veterans Administration and/or a private physician. Representative Payee is currently taking on new clients, for more information please call our direct line 732-859-2586. www.fcsmonmouth.org • 732-222-9111 August 2025 29 Council Also Strives to Address Cultural Issues continued from page 28 With amulticultural background and previous career in higher education, Dr. DePonte Sernak is uniquely positioned to guide school representatives and providers in achieving culture- and language-related goals associatedwith strengthening the behavioral healthcare workforce. “These are big issues for somany. There are somany cultures and languages inNew Jersey. It’s amazing. All of themneed to be respected and revered. Don’t be afraid of it. There are somany things and people to learn from,” Dr. DePonte Sernak stated. “Even though we have privilege in our universe, many others don’t. Join us on this education journey and don’t let history be forgotten. Don’t let being in a moment stop you from sharing culture and history,” she stressed. Plans in Place to Achieve these Goals The co-chairs andNJAMHAA staff are planning a series of panel discussions, collectively called Lifelong Learning, Languages and Leadership , to take place during Education Council meetings. The next meeting onNovember 10, 2025 will focus on creatingmeaningful and successful internship experiences. The followingmeeting on February 9, 2026 will focus on strategizing for the development of culturally and linguistically sensitivematerials and ongoing learning opportunities for behavioral healthcare providers. Bothmeetings will be held virtually from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. To RSVP for thesemeetings and to learnmore about the Education Council, please write to: ShaunaMoses Vice President, Public Affairs andMember Services smoses@njamhaa.org