Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
Jeffrey Fetzko, ACSW, LSW, CFRE
Vol. 8, No. 2, January 21, 2010
The Executive Director's News is published every two weeks, and is specifically written for the employees, board of trustees and friends of the Somerset Home.
This issue and past issues are available on our web site at http://www.somersethome.org/main/pages/employee_newsletter.htm.
Chris Christie becomes New Jersey's 55th Governor
Governor Chris Christie was sworn into office on Tuesday. The governor will be challenged by a $6 to $10 billion budget deficit and as a Republican will also have to work cooperatively with a legislature controlled by Democrats.
Historically, human services have done well with this political configuration but we were not confronted with the current worldwide economic crisis.
Somerset Home receives two-thirds of its $3.5 million operating budget from the State of NJ so we will be working actively with State government representatives as new departmental priorities and restructuring are considered.
New Contracts for Brahma House
Effective January 1, 2010 Somerset Home has contracted for Brahma House to provide group home care for Community Access Unlimited in Elizabeth, NJ (Union County youth). Also effective January 1, 2010 Somerset Home has contracted for Brahma House to provide group home care for the Tri-County CMO (Care Maintenance Organization) in Branchburg, NJ for direct placement of youth from Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren County.
In addition Somerset Home is currently in negotiation with two additional County governments and two additional Care Maintenance Organizations for group home care to be provided by Brahma House. We expect to continue expand our contracting with these types of organizations as the human service landscape changes.
Construction Begins at My Place
The My Place garage renovation has begun. The finished project will include a new entrance, handicapped bathroom, laundry room and a new room for educational and recreational activities.
Brahma Solar Panel Project is Out to Bid
No fewer than sixteen contractors attended a bidders conference last Friday at Brahma House for a chance to submit a bid on a 15 Kilowatt solar electric panel system. The bids are due January 29, 2010.
As always, thank you all for your continued hard work on behalf of our youth.
