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County selects JBWS to provide domestic‑violence services under state contract
Summary
The Passaic County Board of County Commissioners heard a presentation from Diane Williams of JBWS announcing a new contract with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families; JBWS began temporary services in June and assumed the full contract Nov. 1, offering 24/7 helpline, shelter, legal advocacy and mobile response across the county.
Diane Williams, chief executive officer of JBWS, told the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners that her organization has been awarded a contract by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families to deliver domestic‑violence services in Passaic County.
Williams said JBWS began temporary service in June and, "as of November 1, the contract is full time JBWS," adding the program includes a 24/7 helpline, emergency sheltering, housing navigation for survivors, on‑site legal advocates in the county courthouse, domestic‑violence liaisons embedded in child protection offices, and a domestic‑violence response team dispatched to police stations and emergency rooms.
The presentation explained the contract was put out to bid by the Department of Children and Families after interim coverage was arranged. Williams identified staff who will lead the local work, including Diana Kurlander (vice president of client services), Kim Viafarra (director of housing and supportive services), Kim Vargas (senior manager of legal advocacy services) and Robin Hughes (senior manager of the response team). "We bid for it, and we were awarded the contract," Williams said.
Commissioners welcomed the reinstatement of services after a prior provider ran into financial trouble in one borough. A commissioner who recently visited Hawthorne said the borough "was very adamant about this particular program" and praised the county for securing a new lead organization. Another commissioner thanked JBWS and county staff for rapid coordination to prevent a lapse in services.
The board did not, in the portion of the record provided, vote on the contract during this meeting; the presentation served to introduce the provider and explain service elements and staffing. Commissioners noted the program will work with existing local organizations and emphasized the county will monitor outcomes.
The county administrator and staff were credited in remarks for assisting in the transition to ensure continuity of services during the interim period.
The board is expected to include any formal contract authorization or funding items in a subsequent resolution or consent agenda item if not already processed through county procurement and contract channels.
