There shall be a Department of Health and Welfare, the head
of which shall be the Director. The Department shall consist of the
following Divisions:
Within the Department of Health and Welfare, there shall be
a Division of Welfare, the head of which shall be the Local Assistance
Board, appointed pursuant to law. A Director of Welfare shall be appointed
by the Board (pursuant to N.J.S.A. 44:8-117) and, under the supervision
of the Board, shall:
A. Administer laws and ordinances relating to relief of the needy, including
the furnishing of all forms of public assistance to needy persons
who are eligible for assistance provided by law through county and
state agencies.
B. Provide or arrange for shelter and custodial care to dependent and
homeless persons.
C. Enter into and perform cooperative agreements with voluntary charitable
organizations and services to effectuate its other functions under
this section.
D. Provide related social services, such as domestic relations, counseling,
investigation of paternity cases, indigent burials and other public
welfare activities.
E. Cooperate with other public agencies and institutions and with voluntary
institutions in the certification of medically indigent patients for
care and treatment.
F. Maintain complete social case records, comply with all state regulations
and make such reports or analyses of welfare problems and grants as
are necessary or desirable.
The Local Assistance Board shall consist of five members, at
least one of whom shall be a woman and one of whom shall be a member
of the Council, who shall be appointed by the Council. The other members
shall be appointed by the Mayor upon the advice and consent of the
Council, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 44:8-115. The members shall serve without
compensation but shall be allowed their necessary and actual expenses.
The terms of the members shall be for four years each, expiring in
alternate years. The term of each member of the Local Assistance Board
shall begin on the first day of January, and each member shall continue
in office until his successor shall be appointed and shall qualify.
The Council member's term shall be for one year; and the remaining
members' terms shall be for four years. Vacancies shall be filled
for the unexpired terms only (N.J.S.A. 44:8-116).