FAMILY ASSISTANCE The Board of Social Services will present information on assistance programs available to eligible Ocean County residents Tuesdays, May 14 & May 28—-—from 11 – 1.

The Health Coaches from The Center for Healthy Aging at Kimball Medical Center, a Barnabas Health Facility, will be at the County Connection on Thursday, May 16, from 10am till 2 pm, to conduct balance and bone density screenings. This event is free and open to all. Refreshments will be served.

Problems with purchases? Unreliable repairmen? Who can you turn to for help? A representative from the Ocean County Consumer Affairs Department will be at the County Connection Tuesday evenings, May 7 & May 21, 5 to 9 pm, and Friday, May 17, from 11 am - 1 pm.

Out of work and trying to find a new job? Visit the County Connection, scheduled Monday evening from 5:45 to 9:30 pm. Christine Karaska of Workforce New Jersey will provide information and tips to job seekers. Job Search & Resume Skills: May 6, May 13 and May 20, all from 5:45 till 9:30 pm.

The Ocean County Health Department will conduct free blood pressure checks at the County Connection on Thursday, May 9, from 9:30 am till 11:30.

Meet with representatives from the office of Senator Frank Lautenburg, Tuesday, June 18, from 1 - 3 pm, to learn about federal programs and benefits available to eligible residents of Ocean County.

Book drop-off daily.

For convenient, safe recycling: Bring old cell phones & chargers to the County Connection.

Worn American Flags, no longer suitable for display, can be dropped off at the County Connection. The flags will be turned in to veterans groups for proper disposal.

Under new federal regulations, passport books are now required for all US citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico & the Caribbean. Passport cards are required for land and sea crossings. Prepare for your next trip by getting passports now. (Fees vary.) You can get passport photos ($10) at the County Connection, too.

Visit the County Connection to register your dog for Ocean County’s off-leash dog park at Miller Air Park in Berkeley and Ocean County Park in Lakewood. (Fee: $5) The off-leash parks are operated by Ocean County Parks & Recreation Department.

Ocean County’s Senior Services staff has information on all of the benefits available to seniors, including home energy assistance. A Senior Services representative is at the County Connection weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm.

The Surrogate’s Office has staff at the County Connection weekdays, 10 am - 4 pm, to answer questions about probating wills & other services of the Surrogate’s Court.

The County Connection has information on special events and tourism-related activities throughout Ocean County—101 things to do to keep your whole family entertained all year long.