Union County resource guide highlights 24/7 Helping Hands 365 helpline

If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911. For non-emergency substance-use support, the Union County Helping Hands 365 Helpline (UCHH 365) offers round-the-clock peer connection. Preventionlinks describes the line this way: "The Union County Helping Hands 365 Helpline (UCHH 365) is a clear connection point for individuals engaging in harmful substance use, and their loved ones, to access recovery and/or harm reduction support, and recovery support resources." Trained peer recovery specialists answer the toll-free number 1-855-825-3275 24/7, seven days a week.

Preventionlinks highlights that the helpline goes beyond talk: "You can also use the helpline to arrange free transportation to treatment!" Union County residents who need a ride to detox, residential care, IOP (intensive outpatient program), PHP (partial hospitalization program), or sober housing are instructed to call the helpline to "stay on the road to recovery." Preventionlinks hosts the UCHH 365 line and accepts email inquiries at recoverysupport@preventionlinks.org.

Non-clinical case management and peer recovery support are available through the Union County STAR Case Management Program. The STAR program "provides non-clinical case management and peer recovery support" and assists with homelessness, incarceration, legal issues, employment, education, transportation, healthcare, documentation, "and more." Preventionlinks notes STAR's "wonderful relationship with facilities across the state with access to detox, rehab, intensive outpatient services, and medication-assisted treatment," though the Preventionlinks materials do not list a direct STAR phone number.

Families and youth seeking prevention navigation can call the Union County Prevention Warmline on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Warmline phone is (732)-381-4100 and the email is prevention@preventionlinks.org. As the materials state, "The warmline provides a clear connection to prevention programs for youth and families, as well as help navigating local and state family support services being offered by the Union County Prevention Hub and beyond."

Mental-health crisis resources listed for Union County include NJMentalHealthCares at 1-866-202-HELP (4357), text "NJHOPE" to 51684, and TTY 1-877-294-4356. National and local support lines in the compiled directory include Caring Contact, Inc. at 800-273-8255; AA Alcoholics Anonymous at 908-687-8566; Al-Anon at 973-744-8686; NA/NAR-ANON at 800-992-0401; Child Abuse hotline at 800-792-8610; Council on Compulsive Gambling at 800-GAMBLER; HIV Hotline at 800-624-2377; and the National Runaway Safe Line at 800-RUNAWAY.

YWCA Union County operates a 24-hour domestic violence hotline listed as "24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 908-355-HELP (4357)" and also shown numerically as (908) 355-4357. The YWCA states, "Calls may be made anonymously and are completely confidential" and that "The Hotline is the main point of entry for all our programs and is answered by bilingual (English-Spanish) advocates." The YWCA lists its main office phone as (908) 355-1995, mailing address PO Box 462, Kenilworth, NJ 07033, and general email info@ywcaunioncounty.org, with services including residential programs, community support, a Family Justice Center, and PALS.

Housing and homelessness contacts in the Union County directory include Volunteers of America at (908) 827-2440, Elizabeth Coalition at (908) 355-2060, Family Promise at (908) 289-7300, Rental Assistance through Catholic Charities at (908) 497-3966, Community Access at (908) 354-3040, PROCEED at (908) 351-7727, Salvation Army - Elizabeth at (908) 352-7057, Salvation Army - Plainfield at (908) 756-2595, Urban League of UC at (908) 351-7200, and Homelessness Outreach Bridges at (908) 456-8928. One entry, Bridgeway BHS, appears in the source as "908-289-73 30" and should be verified before reliance because the number appears truncated.

Food assistance listings include Catholic Charities at (908) 497-3966, Community Access at (908) 354-3040, and SHIP (Summit Helping Its People) at 31 Woodland Avenue, phone (908) 829-0515. Westfield Food Pantry at Holy Trinity Church uses a voucher system with a suggested donation of $3.00 per voucher; vouchers are obtained by calling the Union County Division on Aging at (908) 527-4870. For seniors and in-home services, eligibility as presented in the source requires being a Union County resident age 18 and older, US citizen or qualified alien, resources at or below $40,000 for individuals or $60,000 for couples, living in the community rather than an assisted living or residential care facility, and not receiving JACC services, MLTSS, or participating in NJ Alzheimer's Adult Day.

If you have a loved one struggling with substance use and are ready for support, the Preventionlinks materials advise: "If you have a loved one struggling with substance use and are ready for support, please call our Union County Helping Hands 365 24/7 helpline at: (855) 825-3275 or email us at recoverysupport@preventionlinks.org." Several entries in the compiled directory contain truncations or ellipses in the source material; Bridgeway BHS's number and incomplete entries such as Elizabethport Presbyterian Center should be confirmed with agencies before acting on them.