A. 
There shall be a Department of Health and Human Services, the head of which shall be the Director. The Director shall be responsible for the overall operations of the Department.
B. 
The Department shall help to ensure a coordinated and cohesive system of human services designed to improve the health and welfare of Hudson County residents, which shall include developing and implementing strategic approaches to identified human service needs, administering and providing oversight for federal, state and local funding, ongoing monitoring and assessment of human services delivery and needs in the County, and operation of the County Psychiatric Hospital. The Department shall maintain a Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC) which shall function as the principal human services assessment and planning council for the County.
C. 
The Department shall manage County health programming, including the development and implementation of health services and environmental health programs either directly or via contract with a duly authorized governmental agency established for this purpose.
D. 
The Department shall also provide services and assistance to veterans and coordinate within the County such services as provided by federal, state and municipal agencies and as heretofore authorized by general law, ordinance or resolution.
E. 
The Department shall oversee the operation of the Meadowview Psychiatric Hospital, which shall be subject to the administrative direction and supervision of a licensed Administrator who shall report to and be responsible to the Department Director.
F. 
Have oversight of any juveniles housed in other counties' juvenile detention facilities.
[Added 12-21-2021 by Ord. No. 803-12-2021]
[Amended 2-22-2024 by Ord. No. 121-2-2024]
The work of the Department shall be organized among and within divisions and offices designated as follows:
A. 
Division on Mental Health and Addiction Services.
B. 
Division of Children and Youth Services.
C. 
Office of Inclusion and Accessibility.
D. 
Office of Specialized Health Services.
E. 
Office of Public Health Services.
F. 
Office of Food and Health Equity.
[Added 2-22-2024 by Ord. No. 121-2-2024[1]]
There shall be an Office of Food and Health Equity, the head of which shall be the Office Head. The Office shall provide Food and Health Equity services by:
A. 
Coordinating all programs and services addressing food insecurity within the County of Hudson, and serve as the central source of information for resources focused on addressing the growing hunger crisis and diet related diseases.
B. 
Identifying vulnerable populations within Hudson County, and focusing on health literacy, and improving accessibility to quality health care to those populations.
C. 
Providing oversight of federal, state, local and private funding for services addressing food insecurity and health equity.
D. 
Developing plans that outline a strategic approach to assist residents to attain their full health potential to the maximum extent possible.
E. 
Overseeing the Food Security Task Force.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance moved and amended material in former § 5-79, Division on Aging, to § 5-86.
Within the Department, there shall be a Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the head of which shall be the Division Chief. The Division shall serve all Hudson County residents and their families who are dealing with mental health and/or substance use disorders. Under the direction of the Director, the Division shall:
A. 
Oversee all programs focused on mental health and addiction services and serve as the central clearing house for information and referral on mental health, substance abuse education, early intervention, treatment and recovery support services;
B. 
Prepare the Hudson County Comprehensive Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Plan which includes an analysis of needs and a strategy for addressing identified needs through delivery of alcohol and drug abuse services;
C. 
Provide oversight of grants focused on assisting individuals seeking or working towards recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorders designed to address behavioral health, addiction and recovery;
D. 
Oversee and/or lead crisis response and intervention initiatives for the Department including Disaster Response Crisis Counselors Program and Crisis Intervention Team trainings on behalf of the Department;
E. 
Oversee the Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) a mandatory educational program from drivers who are convicted of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)/Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Refusal of a Breathalyzer test;
F. 
Monitor the delivery of mental health services within Hudson County in conjunction with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to identify barriers or gaps in services and opportunities to improve best practices and enhance service delivery;
G. 
Conduct professional meetings including LACADA, PACADA, Mental Health Board, CASS, Outpatient Sub-Committee, Substance Use Task Force and Municipal Alliance meetings.
Within the Department, there shall be a Division of Children and Youth Services, the head of which shall be the Division Chief. The Division shall facilitate the development, coordination and expansion of County programs that help children and youth (0-21) to thrive within their homes, schools and communities. Under the direction of the Director the Division shall:
A. 
Serve as a centralized clearinghouse for information on County initiatives and resources related to children and youth.
B. 
Facilitate the coordination of service delivery to Hudson County’s young people by administering and convening the Youth Services Commission and Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council and overseeing the County Council on Juvenile Justice System Improvement program, in accordance with state regulations;
C. 
Produce the Hudson County Youth Services Plan, comprised of a needs assessment and a strategy for the delivery of services for youth involved, or at risk of involvement, in the juvenile justice system;
D. 
Administer and monitor the annual allocation of funds from the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission following the Youth Services Plan for programs and services;
E. 
Apprise local government and the State of New Jersey on the status and needs of Hudson County’s children and youth;
F. 
Develop, provide oversight and monitor programs that address immediate unmet needs of young people in Hudson County; and
G. 
Conduct outreach and educational activities for the community on resources for children and youth and related topics.
Within the Department there shall be an Office of Public Health, the head of which shall be the Office Administrator. The Office shall operate, manage and/or provide:
A. 
Such of the certified health services listed by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services as may be authorized by ordinance or resolution, in compliance with The Local Health Service Act, N.J.S.A. 26:3A2-1 et seq.
B. 
Provide Environmental Health Services and be responsible for implementing the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA) (N.J.A.C. 7:27-1 et seq.), which includes, but is not limited to Air Pollution Control, Hazmat and CBRNE Emergency Response, Coordination with County OEM, Noise Pollution Control, Solid Waste Compliance, Water Pollution Control, Pesticides Compliance, Regulated Underground Storage Tank (UST) Compliance and Environmental Health Assessment and Improvement Plan and as provided by law under the New Jersey Health Statutes, N.J.S.A. 26:9-31, and any subsequent amendments thereto.
C. 
The County shall exercise and discharge the functions, powers and duties of a Mosquito Control Commission.
D. 
Provide County-wide strategic leadership, central planning and coordination to respond to bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks, severe weather events and other public health threats and emergencies, which services may be provided via contract with a duly authorized governmental agency established for these purposes, or with another municipality or municipalities within the County.
E. 
Conduct an environmental hazard assessment study, which shall include conducting and investigation and categorization of environmental health risks and related problems.
F. 
Develop, recommend and provide plans and programs for the improvement of public health services within the County.
G. 
Operate the Hudson County Chest Clinic, a regionally designated ambulatory clinic, which shall provide treatment, intervention, and detection services to Hudson County residents exposed to or affected with the communicable disease Tuberculosis, and which clinic shall adhere to standards set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), New Jersey Department of Health and local health codes.
H. 
Provide Health Equity Services, which shall entail providing education, programming and resources designed to promote an equal opportunity for health and wellness among all Hudson County residents, and which activities shall focus on ensuring access to adequate nutritious food, reducing the burden of chronic disease among residents and other health-related needs that arise.
I. 
Establish and maintain a center for rehabilitation of persons convicted of driving while intoxicated or other persons with alcohol-related syndromes.
Within the Department there shall be an Office of Inclusion and Accessibility, the head of which shall be the Office Administrator. The Office shall operate, manage and/or provide:
A. 
Services to support persons with disabilities living in Hudson County and their families.
B. 
Provide oversight of local, state, and private funding for services that benefit individuals with disabilities and execute programs that will improve the overall health, safety, and well-being of residents with disabilities.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 5-84, Office of Transportation Services, was moved to § 5-86.1 2-22-2024 by Ord. No. 121-2-2024. This ordinance also redesignated former § 5-84.1 as § 5-84.
Within the Department there shall be an Office of Specialized Health Services, the head of which shall be the Office administrator. The Office shall:
A. 
Provide oversight for programs that serve Persons Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
B. 
Establish comprehensive plans as required by the United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and monitors the continuum of HIV/AIDS medical care and essential support services to improve the health outcomes of PLWHA in Hudson County and to reduce the transmission of HIV in local communities.