ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 5212
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: FEBRUARY 10, 2025
The Assembly Higher Education Committee reports favorably
Assembly Bill No. 5212.
This bill provides for the expansion of social services supports at
county colleges in the State.
Under the bill, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges is to
collaborate with each county college in the State to address gaps in
meeting basic student needs among low-income students. The bill
requires the council, in consultation with the Department of Human
Services, to provide information to students at county colleges on
available social services supports and enrollment procedures.
Additionally, the bill permits the council to facilitate partnerships
between county colleges and State agencies, county boards of social
services, or community-based and other non-profit organizations to
increase enrollment in social services supports among students in need
and establish direct provision of services on county college campuses
where possible.
The bill further provides that each county college is to work with a
representative of the county board of social services to provide direct
assistance to students and to help students to access social services
supports.
Additionally, the bill requires the Division of Family Development
in the Department of Human Services to work with the New Jersey
Council of County Colleges to assist community college staff in better
helping students with applications for the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
(TANF), Childcare Subsidy, and other available social services
supports.
Finally, the bill requires each county college and local workforce
development board to jointly establish partnerships with workforce
training providers, economic development organizations, and
community-based and other non-profit organizations to assist the
entities in identifying populations of unemployed and underemployed
residents who may benefit from enrollment in a county college. The
partnerships are to facilitate enrollment in county colleges to provide
career pathways.