The Division of the Senior Services, part of the county's Department of Health and Senior Services, provides a wide range of community-based programs and services for senior citizens and their caregivers, as well as in-home services to homebound seniors. Some of the programs include the Serv-A-Tray program for disabled, recuperating or homebound seniors, six county-wide nutritional centers and caregiver support groups and assistance with choosing long-term nursing care. The current director of senior services is Anna Docimo.
The Warren County Soil Conversion District works to conserve the county's natural resources. Established in 1952, it is the organization's responsibility to review, certify and enforce soil erosion and sediment control plans. Forest management plans, timber stand improvement, timber harvesting and reforestation also are available services through the soil conservation forestry program.
The Gloucester County Improvement Authority (GCIA), which runs the solid waste landfill and recycling center in South Harrison Township, works with businesses and municipalities in the county, providing financing and other economic development tools. The GCIA also runs the Shady Lane Nursing Home and Shady Lane Child Development Center in Clarksboro, and the Gloucester County DREAM Park in Logan Township. David Shields is the GCIA's executive director.
The Essex County Juvenile Detention Center is designed to rehabilitate detained youths. A variety of programming aims to meet the physical, sociological and overall needs of each youth admitted. The Detention Center provides housing, medical, recreation, education, holistic and social services for detained youths aged nine to 17.
The county Department of Human Services, headed by director Lisa Cerny, covers a broad spectrum of programs from non-emergency medical transport for some county residents to support for schools that implement substance abuse prevention and education programs. It also works with the Division of Social Services and county Department of Health as part of its mission. Its five divisions cover youth services, addiction services, transportation, special needs services and grants administration and financial services.
Deep Cut Gardens is located on Red Hill Road, across from Tatum Park. This 54-acre horticultural park contains a wide variety of plant life, both native and cultivated. The land was bequeathed to the Park System by the Wihtol family in 1977 and has been open to the public since 1978.
Visitors are encouraged to tour the many gardens within the park, including the Display Garden (which has flowers and edible plants, including herbs) the Japanese Themed Garden (featuring a Bonsai collection), the Parterre Rose Garden (with roses and other flowers planted in patterns) and several greenhouses. With the environment in mind, there is also a Home Composting Demonstration Facility, which displays various methods that are available to the public to create sustainable composting systems at home. The Horticultural Center (formerly the home of the Wihtol family) houses a library, restrooms, a room for park activities and offers a beautiful view of the park. In addition to the man-made contributions to this land, there are un-touched, wooded areas, several ponds and wide open fields to enjoy.
Be sure to visit the Parks Department website to view the many programs and activities offered at this and other parks throughout the township.