Mobile County Connection Brings Resources to Lacey Residents

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, passersby might notice a large bus-like vehicle parked in front of the Lacey Township branch of the Ocean County Library on Lacey Road. It is the Mobile County Connection, which brings many county services and information directly to areas of the county to assist residents who might not be able to travel to the county seat of Toms River.

The Mobile County Connection is an outgrowth of the popular County Connection, located in the Ocean County Mall -- a one-stop shopping experience for county services, which gets about 400 visitors each day.

"The mobile service started out as a way of outreaching outlying areas like Long Beach Island and Lavallette for people not able to get to the mall to get some services," said Jeanne DiPaola, County Connection Director. "It's been very popular."

The County Connection first opened in the mall in 2001. The county freeholders started the Mobile County Connection in 2004 using an old book mobile. In 2005, a second vehicle was added using a customized Blue Bird bus body. 

"Ocean County has 40-plus agencies and departments," said DiPaola. "There's a wealth of information. It's an enhancement of what we have at the mall."

Among the services provided are passport photos and application processing, surrogate services, senior and veterans affairs services, social security information, consumer affairs, notary, heating assistance, registration for the Ocean County off-leash dog parks, Ocean County College show ticket sales, and job searches.

DiPaola said the mobile connection also provides voter registration forms and vote by mail information, which is something she said that is becoming very popular.

A wide array of information pamphlets are available, as well, including county maps, newcomer guides, tourism information, calendars of events, and safety information.

DiPaola said the mobile connection utilizes county personnel efficiently.

"The mobile connection workers are cross-trained, so the mobile driver can process passports and take passport photos -- really a one-man show," she said. "It's a good integrated service."

The mobile connection had been at the Lacey Shopping Center for a number of years, but since it moved to the Lacey Library, it's much more convenient and has gotten more exposure, according to DiPaola.

"It's very innovative -- a great way to get the word out about county services," said DiPaola. "I don't know of any other county that provides this type of mobile service."

In addition to Lacey, the mobile connection visits Barnegat, Holiday City in Berkeley, Brick, Lavallette, Little Egg Harbor, Long Beach Township, Manchester Library, Crestwood Village and Whiting in Manchester, Plumsted and Stafford.  DiPaola said it also will make stops at fairs, senior villages and special events.

To see the Mobile County Connection schedule, visit www.ocean.nj.us/MobileConnectionSchedule.aspx.