Author Archives: fcsadmin

We’re Hiring!

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Therapists (2) – Outpatient Mental Health

Job Description

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provides direct clinical services to clients in a nonprofit mental health agency.
  • Performs comprehensive assessments to obtain sufficient information to complete Family & Community Services of Somerset County’s (FCSSC) intake and establish treatment goals.

Qualifications

· LCSW, LMFT, or LPC preferred

· Experience working with families and children

· Must be able to work 3 or 4 nights a week Monday-Friday from 4p-9p

· English speaking as well as Bilingual – Spanish therapists needed

Masters required

Please send resumes to rschumann@fcssomerset.org

Family and Community Services of Somerset County celebra 60 años de excelencia

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FCSSC aspira a recaudar $60.000 para el año 2020

Bound Brook, NJ – 2 de enero, 2020 –  Family & Community Services of Somerset County (FCSSC) es calificada 501 c (3), una agencia comunitaria sin fines de lucro. Dicha agencia se destaca por su función en contribuir servicios económicos y profesionales de salud mental y adicciones para la familia, niños, adolescentes y adultos necesitados durante los últimos 60 años.  Fundada en el año 1960, FCSSC (según sus siglas en ingles), ofrece servicios de apoyo para abordar cada una de las transiciones y dificultades  de la vida. 

FCSSC tiene como misión propia ofrecer servicios eficaces y económicos de salud mental y contra el abuso de drogas. Dichos servicios se ofrecen a un costo económico basados en una escala de pago graduada, e incluyen terapia individual, para familias y para parejas, como también terapia en grupo en inglés y español, un programa para abordar la violencia doméstica y recientemente  se agregó uno específicamente para veteranos de las fuerzas armadas.

“Family & Community Services of Somerset County ofrece servicios esenciales para los residentes de la comunidad que de otra manera no tendrían donde recurrir para recibir la atención que necesitan”, según Richard Schumann, director ejecutivo de la agencia. “Aunque somos una organización pequeña, hemos tenido un impacto favorable y continuamos teniéndolo, en la salud mental  y en el abuso de drogas de la comunidad.  El año pasado ofrecimos 8.700 horas de servicios en salud mental y abuso de drogas para más de 780 clientes. 

Para poder continuar sirviendo a la comunidad de Somerset y sus alrededores por 60 años más FCSSC busca recaudar $60.000 en el transcurso del año en homenaje al aniversario de la agencia.  Entre los eventos planificados están, una noche de comedia en el teatro Villagers, bingo con premio de carteras, un día de golf en el club Royce Brook, una carrera de 5K en el parque Duke Island y también nuestra campaña navideña para recaudar fondos.  

Según, Lori Manduley, presidenta de la junta de la agencia, “La salud mental y el abuso de drogas que siguen sin atención son unos de los problemas más grandes que enfrenta el país. Son la raíz de muchas otras  dificultades y problemas. Ser voluntaria y poder contribuir hacia esta agencia magnifica me hace sentir que formo parte de la solución”. Manduley fue instalada recientemente come presidenta de la junta de FCSSC. 

Para informarse sobre la agencia y los eventos planeados visite a la página http://fcssomerset.org

Family and Community Services of Somerset County Celebrates 60 Years of Excellence

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FCSSC Sets a Fundraising Goal of $60,000 for 2020

Bound Brook, NJ – January 2, 2020– Family and Community Services of Somerset County (FCSSC) a 501(c)(3) non-profit community agency that has been providing professional and affordable mental health, family and addictions counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, and families in need for 60 years. Founded in 1960, FCSSC provides support services to address each of life’s many transitions and problems.

FCSSC’s mission is to provide affordable and effective mental health and substance abuse services. These services, provided on a sliding scale basis, include individual, family, and couple therapy, as well as group treatment for people of all ages in English and Spanish. FCSSC offers a Domestic Violence program and recently added a program specifically for U.S. Veterans. 

“Family & Community Services of Somerset County provides essential services to people in the community who might not otherwise receive the help they need.” said Richard Schumann, Executive Director, Family and Community Services of Somerset County. “We may be a small organization, but we have made and will continue to make an impact on mental health and substance abuse services in the community.  Last year we provided over 8,700 hours of mental health and substance abuse services to 780+ clients”

In order to continue for another 60 years of service to the Somerset County and New Jersey community, FCSSC is seeking to raise $60,000 in honor of the non-profit’s anniversary over the course of 2020.  Events planned include; A Night of Comedy at the Villagers Theatre, Handbag Bingo, Golf Outing at Royce Brook Country Club, Taking Strides Towards Wellness 5K run/walk at Duke Island Park and our Holiday Giving campaign.  

“Untreated mental illness and substance abuse are 2 of the biggest problems we face in this country. Indeed, they are the root cause of so many other problems” said Lori Manduley, Board President. “Volunteering for and donating to this terrific agency makes me feel like I am part of the solution.”  Manduley is Family and Community Service’s newest Board President after Howard Hessel served for 9 years.

FCSSC has a positive impact on the well-being of the community it serves.  Listed below is information from the past year’s services: 

  • FCSSC saw 330+ clients for patients suffering an addiction and served 3,000+ hour
  • FCSSC saw 400+ client for patients experiencing a mental health concern and served 5,400+ hours
  • FCSSC supports Spanish trauma groups and served 30+ clients and served 160+ hours

For more information on Family and Community Services of Somerset County and to learn about our events, visit: http://fcssomerset.org

Domestic Violence Groups Offered in Both English and Spanish

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• More than one in three women and more than one in four men in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
• 74 percent of all murder-suicides involved an intimate partner (spouse, common-law spouse, ex-spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend). Of these, 96 percent were women killed by their intimate partners.
• One in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.
• Interpersonal violence is the leading cause of female homicides and injury-related deaths during pregnancy.
• The percentage of women who consider their mental health to be poor is almost three times higher among women with a history of violence than among those without.
• Women with disabilities have a 40 percent greater risk of intimate partner violence, especially severe violence, than women without disabilities.
Source: American Psychological Association

Though many people believe the term “batterer” implies physical abuse, domestic abuse/violence is more than just physical abuse. Many couples are either unable to identify or are in denial when the abuse is about “control”. Control is one of the most destructive forms of abuse and is the reason that so many abusive situations end in murder/suicide.

By gathering and using appropriate accountability measures and self-awareness tools, abusive partners can eventually have healthy, respectful relationships if they accept responsibility for their actions, identify and challenge the belief systems which contributed to their unhealthy behaviors and learn healthy, non-violent ways to interact with their partners.

Our trained staff are certified instructors in the RESPECT program and are here to help support those individuals currently identified as a “batterer” in his or her journey to shed the label of a “batterer” and engage in healthy and respectful relationships. Please call 732-356-1082 or email rschumann@fcssomerset.org for more details.

Job Opportunity – Bilingual Therapist – Fee For Service

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Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provides direct clinical services to clients under scheduled supervision.
  • Work with clients with mental health and/or addiction related issues.
  • Performs comprehensive assessments to obtain sufficient information to complete Family & Community Services of Somerset County’s (FCSSC) intake and establish treatment goals.
  • Maintains accurate and current client records and completes agency documentation as required.
  • Supports agency policies and procedures.
  • Prepares written reports for and makes referrals to other community agencies and resources as appropriate.
  • Attends necessary continuing education courses to obtain or maintain certifications and licenses.
  • Carries out other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Must be bilingual – Spanish
  • LCSW, LMFT, or LPC required
  • Experience working with families and children
  • Must be able to work evening hours

Job Type: Part-time

Click here and apply at Indeed

Find your purpose and make it count in the community

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Mary Cole featured left at FCSSC 5k.

I have been on the Board of Family and Community Services of Somerset County for several years now. During my time with the organization, I have learned that I have a lot to learn. FCSSC is fortunate to have Board members, staff, and volunteers who all possess a wealth of knowledge and talent. Each person involved on the team came to FCSSC with different motivations and with a different perspective on life.

My motivation was to give back to the community that I live and work in. I live in the neighboring town to FCSSC, and have for almost my entire life. I moved away briefly for college, but came back, and saw the world with new eyes. My job as a Program Assistant in the Therapeutic Recreation Department, at the Somerset County Parks Commission puts me into daily contact with people who are struggling to cope with the demands of daily life, and who need the type of emotional and practical support that FSSC provides. I have always been involved in community service in some way, from Girl Scouts all throughout school to literacy tutoring in college, but volunteering my time at FSSC has given me a new perspective. Helping others is less of an abstract idea when you consider that so many of our neighbors, co-workers, friends and family members may be in need.

Part of my newfound perspective has been finding what I am passionate about. The staff and volunteers at FCSSC truly lead by example, and have a passion for what they do. My work and involvement at FCSSC has inspired me to go back to college for a second Bachelor’s degree, so that I can become even more involved in the community, and contribute in a tangible way. I am studying to be a high school English teacher, and hope to work towards a Master’s degree in Special Education.

I have found my purpose, and the opportunity to engage with FCSSC and working towards those goals are invaluable. Follow your passion, find your purpose, and find a way to make it count. If someone has even a spark of interest in volunteering their time and talents to FCSSC, they would be welcomed by the Board and staff—we all share a desire to serve the people in our community and we hope you’ll join us!

-Mary Cole, FCSSC Board Member

Donate Time Not Just Money

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Message from Rachael Wolensky, Board Secretary and Social Media Manageraaeaaqaaaaaaaaldaaaajdu2zte1zjq3ltq3nzutndu1my1iy2rlltk4n2findnmztkzna

As I start to implement my New Years resolutions, I think how over the past year I have donated not just the little bit of money I have to an amazing organization like FCSSC but my time, knowledge and resources I have available at my fingertips.

Not everyone realizes the value you can provide towards your community with just a simple act as time. Yes, everyone has busy schedules running around with work, exercise and trying to have a social life, just to name a few, but it’s the idea that you can give back to your community, OUR community with just an hour or two a week.

Although I am young, before I even entered college I was taught to help those around you as much as you can. Donating my clothes, food, shoes, books, supplies, but most of all my mom taught me your time can ultimately help a community flourish. I continue to do those simple things for the Red Cross, Cancer Society and more over the years. To this day I still collect pop tabs from soda cans so that once I have enough I can share it with the Ronald McDonald House and help those kids in need – a charity that also helps kids. It’s an organization I have been helping since I became of sister of Alpha Delta Pi that also values time spent helping others.

I began working with FCSSC about two years ago as a part of my Masters Project from Quinnipiac. It became apparent to me that I wasn’t saying yes to staying on to just complete a project, but I wanted to make sure I was providing as much of  my time and knowledge as possible. In the end I knew I would help wonderful people explain their message, goals and vision to help those in need of the agency’s services.

I may not be as knowledgeable about mental health and addictions as I would like, but over the past two years I have come to see the value in what I have created with FCSSC and the amazing people within the agency. I have met some remarkable people that have not only been a part of the agency, but the board that I am actively a part of.

I hope as you reflect over the past year and determine what you wish to accomplish in 2017, that you will realize that you can help others with not just money to help FCSSC flourish in the areas we need to survive as a business to help those in need, but to donate your time, knowledge and energy to help our community succeed.

Message from FCSSC Executive Director

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“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you2016091295073727121 have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

On January 5, 2017, Family and Community Services of Somerset County will mark the 57th year since the merger of The Community Service Society of Bound Brook and the Family Counseling Service of Somerset Hills that created, what we now call, Family and Community Services of Somerset County (FCSSC).

The ability to adapt in an ever-changing socio-economic environment is essential to the survival of any small business and it is especially critical to a small non-profit organization.  For the past 20 years, Eric Harris led our organization with professionalism, compassion, skill, and love.  With the support and sacrifices of the staff and the Board of Directors throughout the 20 years, FCSSC managed to stay afloat when many small non-profits struggled and in some cases failed.

I am thankful that not only do I have the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director as FCSSC enters its 57th year but I am also thankful that Eric and the staff of FCSSC enter this 57th year with me.  While we will no doubt encounter both old and new challenges in our journey forward, I remain hopeful that FCSSC can continue to serve our community for many years to come.

In my four short months of employment, there have already been so many notable accomplishments worth mentioning.  In September of 2016, FCSSC had a successful 5K fundraiser.  In November, we successfully launched a new group that provides essential services to perpetrators of domestic violence. In December, we welcomed a new supporter to our organization as we had a local group donate stuffed animals to the children to whom we provide services. Also in December, we had a successful visit by the State regarding our mental health services.  And finally, in October and December, we welcomed a total of two new board members to our team.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and successful 2017!
Warmest regards,
Richard W. Schumann

Family and Community Services is Grateful to the Hearts of Watchung

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The Hearts of Watchung, led by Cindy Homer, is a group of tremendously caring and generous individuals who donate to families of need throughout the year. Family and Community Services is so fortunate to have this group to donate a multitude of gifts to a tremendous number of its’ lower income families particularly during the Holiday season. This group donates to the clients of several non-profit agencies that serve low income and at risk families.

A couple of weeks ago our full-time Spanish speaking counselor contacted Cindy Homer about one of her families who moved into the neighborhood in the past year and who could barely afford basic needs. This is a single parent family with 5 children who have been subjected to domestic violence in the past.

Cindy and the Hearts of Watchung asked for a needs list for all the family members and last week a tremendous number of brand new gifts, games, books, household needs ,and gift cards (for food and for fans for their apartment) were delivered to the family by Cindy; her children Wade, Jordan, and Harrison; and two F@CS staff. The people of the Hearts of Watchung went way beyond the definition of generosity. It was truly an amazing scene watching the excitement and happiness of the children as well as the appreciation of their mother as they received this tremendous volume of gifts.

Family and Community Services and so many of its’ clients and families of great need are so appreciative of this collaborative relationship with these exceedingly caring group of people!

Note: Due to confidentiality we were unable to take pictures of the family.

Helping Your Long Term Relationship Succeed

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160463-164847“They got married and lived happily ever after”. Wouldn’t it be nice if life was truly like a fairly tale?

Unfortunately, in reality this does not happen. The divorce rate for first marriages has been very close to 50% for the past several years, and the rate increases to over 50 % for subsequent marriages.

What contributes to such high rates of marital or relationship breakdown? Unrealistic expectations are a major contributing factor. There are a number of misconceptions that people have when they marry including “love lasts forever”, “if she/he loves me then she/he will ….”, “once we get married (or have children), things will get better”, “he/she will change”, “I will be happier and have my needs fulfilled when I’m married”.

We were never told that marriage or living with someone is very challenging and requires a great deal of “work”, compromise, and acceptance. We are often seeking easy solutions in life and magical happiness. There is a general attitude that “I have to work at school, I go to my job and have to work, and I have to work on this too???”

People in relationships or marriages don’t realize how their partners often think, see things, communicate, and react quite differently. We often expect our partners to understand everything we feel, to understand our needs, and/or to always change. In addition, marriage or long term relationships continuously change over time as new stages of life and stressors develop. Having children could be a wonderful experience but it certainly alters the marital relationship in a number of ways including time alone and together, energy levels, the sexual relationship.

Another factor that contributes to marital or relationship breakdown is lack of commitment. Many time partners are looking for a new spark, the perfect relationship, or fall into the mythical trap of “the grass is greener on the other side”. Often, partners are not willing to work at the relationship, compromise, negotiate, or communicate.

A successful marriage or long term relationship can also be a very rewarding experience. Some helpful hints to a successful relationship:

  • Be realistic. Realize marriage can be challenging and that it’s not just about love, sex, and common interests. Marriage often needs to include such things as friendship, respect, consideration, compromise, communication, effort.
  • Pick and choose your battles. Prioritize what issues in the relationship (or about your partner) might need to be changed while accepting some of the others.
  • Realize that there are definite differences between you and your partner, don’t always try to change them, and try to understand where your partner is coming from.
  • Don’t always expect your partner to do the work or change. “Ask not what your partner could do for you (or your relationship), ask what you could do for your partner (or relationship)”.
  • Stay committed to the relationship (don’t fall for the grass is greener on the other side trap) unless your relationship is truly harmful or destructive.
  • Make the time to spend quality time with your partner. This includes time for communication and for enjoyable activities.

Written by: Eric Harris