[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Mercer County as Ch. 2.36 of the 2003 Mercer County Code (Ord. No. 83-2). Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Pursuant to P.L. 2020, c. 67, effective 1-1-2021, the Code of Mercer County has been amended to delete the term “Board of Chosen Freeholders” and replace it with the term “Board of County Commissioners.” In addition, the terms “Freeholder” and “Chosen Freeholder” have been deleted and replaced by the term “County Commissioner.”]
There is created in Mercer County, New Jersey, a Mercer County Human Services Advisory Council.
The Human Services Advisory Council shall perform the following function:
A. 
To serve in an advisory capacity to the governing body of Mercer County and to the Mercer County Department of Human Services with respect to the coordination of comprehensive social service planning in Mercer County;
B. 
To assist the Mercer County Department of Human Services to identify, collect and analyze data on the human services delivery system in Mercer County, evaluate human services programs, identify, assess and prioritize the resources and needs within Mercer County; and to provide recommendations to public and private funders as requested;
C. 
To provide an opportunity and forum for professionals, providers, public officials, voluntary agencies, citizens, consumers and consumer advocates to work together to improve the quality of human services for residents of Mercer County.
[Amended by Ord. No. 86-34; 10-22-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-5]
The Mercer County Human Services Advisory Council shall consist of 35 members, appointed by the County Executive with the advice and consent of the Board of County Commissioners. After the term of initial appointment, members shall serve for three-year terms or until the appointment and qualification of their successors.
A. 
Thirty-four voting members:
(1) 
Two representatives from the Mercer County Department of Human Services: one for a one-year term, one for a two-year term;
(2) 
Two members from the Human Services Coalition: one for a one-year term, one for a two-year term;
(3) 
Two representatives from the Mercer County Board of Social Services: one for a one-year term, one for a two-year term;
(4) 
One representative from each of the following County advisory boards:
(a) 
Aging Council: one-year term.
(b) 
Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse: two-year term.
(c) 
Community Services Board: three-year term.
(d) 
Extension Services: one-year term.
(e) 
Mental Health Board: two-year term.
(f) 
Nutrition Advisory Board: three-year term.
(g) 
Schools: one-year term.
(h) 
T.R.A.D.E. Board: two-year term.
(5) 
One member of Private Industry Council: one-year term;
(6) 
One representative from the Delaware Valley United Way: three-year term;
(7) 
One representative from the Princeton Area United Way: two-year term;
(8) 
One representative from the State Division of Youth and Family Services: three-year term;
(9) 
One representative from the Family Court Citizen's Advisory Committee: three-year term;
(10) 
One representative from the State Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services: one-year term;
(11) 
One representative from the Mercer County Hispanic Association: one-year term;
(12) 
One representative from the Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected and Missing Children: one-year term;
(13) 
One representative from each Mercer County Municipality:
(a) 
East Windsor Township: three-year term.
(b) 
Ewing Township: two-year term.
(c) 
Hamilton Township: one-year term.
(d) 
Hightstown Borough: three-year term.
(e) 
Hopewell Borough: two-year term.
(f) 
Hopewell Township: one-year term.
(g) 
Lawrence Township: three-year term.
(h) 
Pennington: two-year term.
(i) 
Princeton: three-year term.
(j) 
Trenton: two-year term.
(k) 
Robbinsville Township: one-year term.
(l) 
West Windsor Township: three-year term.
B. 
One nonvoting ex officio member: one State Department of Human Services County representative.
C. 
Executive Committee: seven voting members. Members of Executive Committee shall serve one-year terms.
(1) 
One member Mercer County Department of Human Services;
(2) 
One member Mercer County Board of Social Services;
(3) 
One member Human Service Coalition;
(4) 
One member Princeton Area United Way;
(5) 
One member Delaware Valley United Way;
(6) 
Two members of Mercer County Human Services Advisory Council Board at Large.
D. 
Executive Committee: one nonvoting ex officio member. One State Human Services County Representative.
[Amended by Ord. No. 86-34]
The selection and appointment of nominees to the Mercer County Human Services Advisory Council will be made in the following manner:
A. 
Mercer County Department of Human Services: two members. The Director of the Department of Human Services will recommend to the County Executive two representatives from the Department.
B. 
Human Services Coalition: two members. The Coalition is to select its nominees through formal action of the Coalition.
C. 
Mercer County Board of Social Services: two members. The Director of Welfare will select two members.
D. 
Advisory boards.
(1) 
The following County advisory boards will recommend to the County Executive through the Director of the Department of Human Services, their nominees for appointment to the Advisory Council:
(a) 
Mercer County Council on Aging: one member;
(b) 
Mercer County Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse: one member;
(c) 
Community Services Board: one member;
(d) 
Mercer County Mental Health Board: one member;
(e) 
Mercer County Nutrition Project Advisory Board: one member;
(f) 
T.R.A.D.E. Advisory Board: one member.
(2) 
In addition to the above-mentioned guidelines, the following two groups of County advisory boards will be asked to select their nominees in common: Extension Services (Mercer County Board of Agriculture, Mercer County 4-H Advisory Council, Mercer County Advisory Council in Home Economics): one member; Schools (Mercer County Vocational-Technical School, Mercer County Community College, Mercer County Special Services School District): one member.
E. 
Private Industry Council: one member. The Council is to select its nominees.
F. 
Delaware Valley United Way: one member. The Board of DVUW is to select its nominee.
G. 
Princeton Area United Way: one member. The Board of PAUW is to select its nominee.
H. 
Division of Youth and Family Services: one member. The District Office Manager or a representative will serve, as per state guidelines.
I. 
Juvenile Justice Representative: one member. The Family Court Citizen's Advisory Committee will recommend to the County Executive its nominee for appointment to the Advisory Council.
J. 
Mental Health Representative: one member. Contact will be made with the State Division on Mental Health & Addiction Services.
[Amended 10-22-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-5]
K. 
Mercer County Hispanic Association: one member. The Association is to select its representative.
L. 
Mercer County Commission on Abused, Neglected and Missing Children: one member. The Commission is to select its representative.
M. 
Municipal representative: 12 members, one from each municipality. The Mayor of each municipality will be asked to select a nominee.
[Amended 10-22-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-5]
N. 
Nonvoting. State Department of Human Services Representative: one member. The State Department of Human Services Commissioner will be asked to make the nomination.