Author Archives: fcsadmin

Sep 11

National Suicide Prevention Week – September 10-16 2017

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According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website,

“There’s no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide. Yet it’s important to note that most people who actively manage their mental health conditions lead fulfilling lives.”

A change in behavior and/or the presence of entirely new behaviors is a key indicator that a person could be in trouble.  This is of particular concern when the new behaviors are related to loss, change, or a painful event.  Look for the warning signs – Make a difference.

Aug 31

International Overdose Awareness Day

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Accidental or intentional, August 31st is a day to remember all of our family members, friends, colleagues, and others whose lives were cut short as a result of an overdose.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) reports:

“The United States is in the midst of a drug overdose epidemic. More people died from drug overdoses in 2014 than in any other year on record.

Deaths from drug overdose are up among both men and women, all races, and adults of nearly all ages.

More than three out of five drug overdose deaths involve an opioid. Overdose deaths from opioids, including prescription opioids and heroin, have nearly quadrupled since 1999.

Overdoses involving opioids killed more than 28,000 people in 2014. Over half of those deaths were from prescription opioids.

During 2014, a total of 47,055 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States, representing a 1-year increase of 6.5 per cent, from 13.8 per 100,000 persons in 2013 to 14.7 per 100,000 persons in 2014.”

The struggles are indeed very real so please take some time to remember that this day is devoted to emphasizing the seriousness of the problem, helping to destigmatize the disease of addiction, and encouraging people to seek help in their struggle with addiction.

Aug 10

Executive Director: The Challenges of Parenting in the World Today

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Parenting – Are you ever truly ready?
Just about ten years ago, my wife and I embarked on the wonderful journey known as parenthood. We had all those deep and meaningful conversations that couples have prior to taking on this life-changing milestone. We discussed how we would discipline our children, what activities we would emphasize and encourage them to pursue, and we discussed how we would prepare them for a world that presents new challenges daily. The truth is that there are days I am not sure I am prepared for a world that presents new challenges daily so how am I going to get my children ready. I have already had conversations with my daughter that my parents could have never imagined having with me when I was her age.

How much information is too much information? Do I hover too much? Should I hover more? There is no “perfect parent” so stand firm and do not yield to societal pressures of perfection. If you do feel that the rigors of parenting overwhelm you at times, I encourage you to reach out for help. At Family & Community Services of Somerset County, we have licensed, experienced clinicians who will provide professional assistance to you when you need it.

Call us for an appointment (732) 356-1082

Mar 06

National Professional Social Work Month

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March is recognized as National Professional Social Work Month. 

On behalf of the FCSSC Board of Trustees, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible professionals at Family and Community Services of Somerset County who provide critical and compassionate care to the residents of Somerset County and the surrounding areas.  Each day our dedicated clinicians create a healthy counseling environment that provides encouragement and essential support to the individuals and families we serve.  While others focus on lifelong earnings as a way to measure success, our clinicians focus on being experts in care coordination, case management, and treatment.  They confront some of the most challenging issues facing individuals, families, and society and forge solutions that help people reach their full potential and make our community a better place to live.

Did you know..

  • Social work has been around since 1750 BC. The Babylonia “Code of Justice” was the first recorded requirement for people to help one another during times of hardship.
  • Professional Social Workers are the nation’s largest providers of mental health services. Social workers provide more mental health services than psychologists, psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses combined.
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for social workers is expected to grow twice as fast as any other occupation, especially in gerontology, home healthcare, substance abuse, private social service agencies, and school social work.

Thank you for your efforts toward FCSSC, they are much appreciated.

Richard Schumann, FCSSC Executive Director

Feb 06

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

Jan 16

Donate Time Not Just Money

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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.

Jan 02

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

Dec 29

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.

Dec 29

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

Dec 19

FCSSC Board President Holiday Message

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Dear friends, neighbors and family members:

It is that time of year, where we all begin to make resolutions for the new year, and in my case, look back at what I am thankful for.  This year, I am blessed, both personally and professionally.

I am blessed personally, as my family is healthy, and happy.  Is there anything more important in life?  In my opinion, I don’t think so.

Professionally, as the President of the Board of Directors of Family & Community Services of Somerset County (FCSSC), I am blessed as well.  I have the pleasure of working with a wonderful board of directors, and an outstanding, professional, talented staff at the agency.  And, by the way, thankfully, they report, they are healthy and happy as well!

When I look back to 2016, it was a year of change at FCSSC.  Our long term Executive Director, Eric Harris, announced and began a well-deserved retirement.  While he still sees clients at the agency, he is now able to spend more time with his family.  We were able to recruit a wonderful successor, Richard Schumann who will lead our transformation going forward.  In a short period of time, Richard has already made an impact, and implemented a number of changes that will lead to better services that our friends, neighbors and family members in Somerset County have come to expect.

As I look forward to 2017, I hope that our year will be one of “coming together”.  We have opportunities ahead of us, as a community, to help those in need.  We have the opportunity to join together to prevent shootings, bullying, and other awful actions that are related to mental health.  How do we come together and do this?  Instead of assuming that someone else will help, consider asking yourself “what can I do to help?”.  For me, I help by giving my time leading the Board of Directors at FCSSC.  My colleagues on the board are so generous with their time and insights that help to shape the agency, which in turn helps our community.  Let me re-phrase that… it helps OUR community.

The work we do at FCSSC goes directly to helping those in need here in OUR community.  The monies raised do not go to some large corporate building out of state, they are 100% utilized in Somerset County, our home.  Many of you are very busy with careers, family and other commitments and that is wonderful.  You can also help by attending our fund raising events, or consider a donation.  For those of you that work for generous organizations that match your funds, please remember to request the matching funds.

Please consider contacting me and asking “Howard, I like the work that is being done at FCSSC, what can I do to help?”.  2017 is the time for us to come together and work towards helping OUR community!

I wish you all a healthy and happy New Year and hope your dreams all come true!

Best,

Howard Hessel, FCSSC Board President