Families in Morris County have depended on Family Service of Morris County (FSMC) for help during difficult times for nearly 200 years.  But who does FSMC turn to for its own support?  Local foundations have stepped forward to provide much needed funding for critical social services that serve both the oldest and youngest in our community.

The Grotta Fund for Senior Care awarded a grant in the amount of $48,000 to support the continuation of the Senior Collaboration and Intensive Geriatric Case Management Program.  This year’s funding will benefit 57 seniors who cannot be helped by the traditional case management system and who have multiple challenges, including mental illness, substance abuse, hoarding, extreme dementia, suicidal and homicidal ideation and self-neglect due to Alzheimer’s disease.  According to Renie Carniol, Director of the Grotta Fund for Senior Care of the Jewish Community Foundation, “We awarded this grant to help vulnerable seniors through case management provided by a powerful collaboration of mental health and physical health agencies and services led by a FSMC.  This plan for oversight and sustainability provides a model for other counties in New Jersey dealing with the increasing population of seniors.”  To support an even greater number of Morris County seniors in dire need and to continue this program for a second year, The Health Care Foundation of New Jersey came forward with an additional grant of $60,000.

Funding for children in the amount of $35,000 was granted by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation for FSMC’s early childhood program to include a children and nature program that creates inspiring environments, educates for sustainability and encourages strong parent engagement.  Merck Company Foundation, through its New Jersey Neighbor of Choice Grant Program, awarded $25,000 to support the FSMC Early Childhood Mental Health Intervention Program.  In recent years, there has been a growing concern in child care centers that increasing numbers of very young children are manifesting behavior problems that have implications for their future success in school.  This grant will support the emotional heath of our youngest children and their families through a continuum of comprehensive, services that focus on prevention and intervention for at risk children in selective, publicly subsidized child care centers in Morris County. 

While these grants have been quite generous, there is still a need for ongoing support that enables FSMC to continue strengthening families in Morris County.  Do you work for a company that invests in children, families or seniors?  Contact FSMC today to discuss partnering to meet your firm’s goals for social responsibility and improving the community in which we work and live.  Visit FSMC at www.fsmc.org or contact Director of Development Janet Horowitz at jhorowitz@fsmc.org or 973-538-5260, x 310.