MORRIS COUNTY — This year’s college experience looks a lot different – and it’s affecting students’ mental well-being. Addressing increased stress, anxiety, and depression on campuses in New Jersey, the Assembly Higher Education Committee advanced a bill connecting students to available mental health services.

“The college life that many had imagined was put on hold or canceled. Campus closures due to the coronavirus, restrictions on socializing, and uncertainty about future careers are wreaking havoc on students’ mental health,” said Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, a prime sponsor of the legislation. “While we know that students are experiencing more mental health disturbances, we also know they are not reaching out for help when they are in crisis. We need to make sure they are aware of the services that are available and they have that lifeline that is there any time they need to talk to someone.”

Under the bill (A3007), higher education institutions in the state will be required to ensure access to campus-based mental health care programs and services and provide newly enrolled students with information on their location and availability starting in the 2021-2022 academic year. Additionally, 24-hour toll-free telephone hotlines must be advertised in dormitories, libraries, and student centers.

“Providing information on mental health services at the beginning of the semester, when you are learning about how and where to access all the resources you need, reduces some of the stigma surrounding seeking out psychological help,” said Dunn. “Students will get information on everything from dental to mental. In order to prevent potential tragedies, we want to normalize mental health care so that they feel comfortable reaching out for help.”

Before the pandemic, Rowan University reported three suicides in just over two months in the fall of 2019. Last October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported suicide had become the second leading cause of death among 10-to-24-year olds. In August 2020, the CDC released a report on the pandemic’s effect on mental health that identified a disproportionate number of 18-to-24-year olds, about one-quarter of those surveyed, had seriously considered suicide in the last 30 days.

“Coronavirus shutdowns and closures have prevented people from scheduling doctors’ appointments and put people into isolation, both of which carry consequences to one’s health and well-being,” explained Dunn. “Mental health cannot wait. It has to be convenient and easily accessible for the person in crisis and this bill will help meet this timely need.”

MORRIS COUNTY — In response to the growing call from New Jersey citizens for election transparency and accuracy, the Morris County Republican Committee established the Election Accuracy Guardians for Legality and Equity (EAGLE) Project, Chaired by Elizabeth Nader of Morris Township. This election task force is charged with assuring voters have confidence in all aspects of how elections are conducted. The committee will be focused on voter roll clean-up, a review of vote-by-mail process accuracy issues, and potential measures to ensure voter confidence.

MCRC is thankful for the work and dedication of all Morris County employees working during this past general election. It is imperative that every voter in Morris County feels confidence in the electoral process. Our nation was built on the idea that our elected officials would assume office after free and fair elections. Unfortunately, that confidence has been broken throughout our Country.

Morris County Republican Committee Chairwoman Laura Marie Ali had this to say, “I am proud of the work our county committee and many volunteers did prior to the election to get out the vote-by-mail vote.  It is due to their effort and massive grassroots action that we were successful with our state, county, and local candidates. We have a great responsibility to make sure our Morris County voters are confident that their voices and votes are accurately counted and received. Issues being raised at the national level require us to be razor-focused on assuring voter confidence is restored and that we fight for full transparency. We are proud to be doing that through our EAGLE Project, led by the amazing Elizabeth Nader.  We invite our neighboring counties to join us in this effort.”

MORRIS COUNTY —  All Morris County government offices will be closed on Thursday due to accumulating snow tonight and predictions the winter storm already impacting travel in the region will continue to pound most of New Jersey.

Non-essential county employees should not report to work. All essential employees and personnel critical to emergency services will remain activated.

The County College of Morris, Morris County School of Technology, Morris County Library, the Morris County Administration offices, and other county facilities will be closed.

Governor Phil Murphy declared a State of Emergency earlier today, authorizing the State Director of Emergency Management to activate and coordinate the preparation, response, and recovery efforts for the storm with all county and municipal emergency operations and governmental agencies across the state.

New Jersey roads are expected to be impassable due to significant amounts of heavy, blowing, and drifting snow, low visibility, and whiteout conditions, with the highest impact expected overnight and into Thursday. Forecasts predict mostly wet snow, with total accumulations reaching 12 to 20 inches.

Winds are expected to be 10-15 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.

The Morris County Office of Emergency Management’s Emergency Operations Center (OEM) activated this morning at 5:00 a.m. as part of our continued preparedness activities.

Watch for updated alerts on Morris County OEM’s Facebook page.

MORRIS COUNTY — Small businesses and start-ups saddled with a mandate to purchase workers’ compensation coverage despite a lack of employees could see some relief under legislation advanced by the Assembly Labor Committee today.

The bill (A508), sponsored by Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce and Assemblyman Jay Webber, revises the definition of employer in the workers’ compensation law. Partnerships that consist of two partners or S corporations with only one employee who is also the sole shareholder could save on unnecessary coverage.

“Our small businesses have struggled to stay afloat in the face of coronavirus shutdowns and it’s time we remove this undue mandate that is hindering their ability to survive,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “Revising the workers’ compensation law so that businesses without employees can save on unnecessary coverage is one way our state can support their success.”

About three out of every 10 small businesses in the state have closed during the course of the coronavirus crisis.

“In order to foster an economic recovery, New Jersey needs to step up its support of small businesses,” continued DeCroce. “It’s critical to find ways to help owners in every stage – the start-ups trying to get off the ground, small businesses who need help getting through this crisis, and those who want to grow. This bill will allow small businesses to save on excessive insurance and spend that money on efforts to better help them achieve their goals.”

Failing to carry the proper insurance can currently result in fines up to $5,000 for the first 10 days and up to $5,000 every 10-day period thereafter. It is classified as a disorderly person offense and, if determined to be willful, a crime of the fourth degree.

The Senate passed the bill (S967) unanimously on February 10.

PARSIPPANY — The Mental Health Association in New Jersey honored NewBridge Services’ Victoria Ferlauto as a Behavioral Healthcare Hero for innovative leadership that has ensured the safe, steady treatment of adults with severe mental illness throughout the pandemic.

Ferlauto, director of NewBridge Services adult day treatment program, was featured in MHANJ’s 20th Annual Evening of Excellence, a 30-minute program to air on News12+ Optimum 61, Verizon FiOS 530, and MHANJ Facebook Live on Saturday, December 12. The show, honoring six mental health professionals, will be rebroadcast Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

“We are tremendously proud of Viki, whose efforts exemplify the entire staff’s commitment to our clients,” NewBridge CEO Michelle Borden said. Borden noted that Ferlauto “demonstrated deep care and concern for her staff as well as clients.”

Ferlauto was unaware she had been nominated for the award until MHANJ contacted her late last month. “I was touched and honored, and it came as a surprise!” she said.

“It must be said that the staff is all heroes as well, reminding society that mental health matters, now more than ever!” Ferlauto said. She joined NewBridge in 1998 and a year later was promoted to oversee both the adult day treatment programs in both Morris and Passaic counties.

When Gov. Murphy ordered the statewide shut down in March, Ferlauto worked feverishly over a weekend on a plan to keep essential treatment going. Video conferencing wasn’t an option, so Ferlauto went old-school: on Monday morning, staff phoned clients and used conference calling to connect them with group sessions.

“The clients were so happy we were calling them for the group,” supervising clinician Cheryl Schmidt said. Clients participated in daily skills-training groups on coping, emotional management, addiction recovery, and other topics.

Ferlauto planned how to safely have clients return to NewBridge for individual counseling sessions as soon as restrictions were lifted. As a volunteer on NewBridge’s COVID-19 safety committee, Ferlauto also ensured that staff receives and use personal protective equipment and that strict cleaning protocols are adhered to.

“She runs a tight ship, and is very supportive of her staff and compassionate about her clients,” said Derk Replogle, director of Addiction Services.

Ferlauto grew up in a tight-knit Hungarian neighborhood in Passaic, and as a young adult belonged to a semi-professional Hungarian folk dancing troupe that once performed at New York’s Avery Fisher Hall.

She planned on becoming an archeologist or anthropologist until she realized how much math was involved. “I decided instead to dig up people’s history, one by one,’’ Ferlauto said in a 2013 interview. As a student at Fordham University, “I fell in love with clinical psychology.’’

Ferlauto lives in Jefferson Township with her husband and, despite the pandemic, maintains close ties to relatives scattered throughout the U.S., she said. NewBridge, she added, “is like a second family to me.”