Bill > A5212

This bill aims to expand social services support for low-income students at county colleges in New Jersey by establishing collaborative frameworks between educational institutions, social services agencies, and workforce development organizations. The New Jersey Council of County Colleges will work to identify gaps in meeting basic student needs and provide information about available social services supports, with each county college required to collaborate with their local county board of social services to help students access these supports. The bill mandates that county boards of social services designate an employee to streamline social services application processes for students, and requires the Division of Family Development to assist community college staff in helping students apply for programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and Childcare Subsidy. Additionally, county colleges and local workforce development boards are expected to establish partnerships with workforce training providers and community organizations to identify and enroll unemployed or underemployed residents in educational programs that can provide career pathways. The legislation is designed to create more direct and accessible routes for students to receive critical social services and educational support.

Education, Health and Social Services

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5212