The Ocean County Board of Commissioners, through the Ocean County Department of Human Services, seeks to enhance the infrastructure and capacity of organizations that serve vulnerable populations in need of emergency housing, sheltering, and/or food insecurity services. This funding opportunity is intended to support community-based organizations in building their ability to deliver services effectively and increase their longterm impact. The County is specifically seeking proposals that result in meaningful improvements to organizational infrastructure and capacity. The intent of this County funding is to complement state, federal, and other resources for direct services, empowering local organizations to secure and sustain long-term funding sources. In Ocean County, emergency sheltering, transitional housing and food insecurity services play a crucial role in helping individuals, families, youth and seniors. These services provide entry points to broader systems of care, including mental health services, employment support, and permanent housing. However, many organizations delivering these essential services face significant challenges, including limited capacity, aging infrastructure, staffing shortages, and an increased demand for services. Facilities may be outdated or insufficient to meet current needs, technology systems may lack the capacity to track data or coordinate care effectively, and staff may not have access to training or support needed to navigate increasingly complex client needs. Addressing these barriers through infrastructure and capacity-building support ensures a more resilient and effective system of care.
