New Jersey

NJ looks to quell crisis in care by offering student loan relief to health workers

Published

2 years ago

June 22, 2024

Press Room

NJ looks to quell crisis in care by offering student loan relief to health workers

2-minute read

New Jersey is offering up to $50,000 in student loan relief to healthcare and social service professionals.

New Jersey announced $17 million in student loan relief for group home aides and other health care workers, part of an effort to attract and retain staff in fields fraught with turnover and vacancies.

Up to $50,000 in student loan relief is available to health care and social service professionals who commit to one year of service at designated agencies, the state said. Gov. Phil Murphy said the program should improve services for New Jersey residents with medical, mental health, and disability needs.

“This student loan redemption program further bolsters our home and community-based services workforce, and it is key in supporting qualified service providers to bring their skills and expertise to communities across the state,” he said.

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“In addition to alleviating the financial burdens of this workforce, this program also builds the capacity to deliver care in the community for more New Jerseyans,” Murphy said.

The New Jersey departments of Human Services and Children and Families announced the relief, along with the state’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

The program aims to assist a wide range of professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and counselors, among others.

Funding comes from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is part of a $100 million effort by the state to grow a workforce that has faced significant staffing shortages due to low pay and poor benefits.

In addition to the student loan redemption program, the Murphy administration said the money will help establish recruitment, training, and certification programs for direct care staff, as well as more community-based housing options for individuals with disabilities or behavioral health conditions.

“We continue to invest in innovative approaches to strengthen and prioritize independence and person-centered care that will help individuals live in their own homes and remain active in their communities,” Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman said in a statement.

“This new student loan redemption program will benefit caregivers who provide vital supports to people with disabilities and with behavioral health needs, as well as older adults living in the community,” she said.

How to apply for NJ loan forgiveness program

The application process for the loan forgiveness program opens on July 1. Selection of recipients will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, with decisions announced by Oct. 1. Applicants must meet such criteria as being employed full-time in a qualifying role, holding the necessary certifications, and not participating in similar loan forgiveness programs.

For more information on how to apply and detailed eligibility requirements, interested candidates can visit the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority website starting July 1.

“We are proud to offer this new benefit to dedicated workers who support individuals with disabilities and older adults in the community,” said Kaylee McGuire, Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services. “Creative steps such as a loan redemption program will help attract and retain workers and build a stronger foundation for the future.”

The one-time student loan redemption program provides:

Visit here for applications.

Gene Myers covers disability and mental health for NorthJersey.com and the USA TODAY Network. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: myers@northjersey.comTwitter: @myersgene

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New Jersey

Scrap metal barge fire is under control, vessel moving to Camden

Published

5 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Scrap metal barge fire is under control, vessel moving to Camden

Scrap metal burned for more than 24 hours

Firefighting efforts lasted more than 24 hours until Wednesday morning when thermal imagery showed the fire extinguished, according to the Coast Guard’s Petty Officer First Class Matthew West.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency assisted the Coast Guard in its response.

“Multiple fire companies worked diligently to extinguish the fire, while state agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard coordinated resources to support response operations and minimize impacts to federal waterways, coastal communities, and the surrounding environment,” according to a statement by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.

It remains unclear what exactly was burning or what was released into the atmosphere from the scrap metal, but it was likely “a very toxic mix,” according to Jane Clougherty, professor of environmental and occupational health at Drexel University.

“Remember that because this is scrap metal, it’s from an earlier era, potentially, when a lot of lead was used, both in metals and in the paints on those metals,” Clougherty said.

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New Jersey

Heavy police presence prompts concern in South Jersey neighborhood

Published

17 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Heavy police presence prompts concern in South Jersey neighborhood

MILLVILLE, N.J. (WPVI) — Residents in a Millville, New Jersey, neighborhood spent hours trying to understand what was happening after a New Jersey State Police helicopter circled overhead, and troopers eventually entered a home while searching for a suspect.

Video from a Ring camera shows state police and officers in tactical gear taking over the front porch of a home on the 100 block of Third Street.

Officers are heard speaking into a doorbell camera moments before entering the residence.

A woman who lives in the home and did not want to be identified said she was at work at the time of the incident, but her son was inside when police surrounded the house. She said her son later described the encounter to her.

“My son was here, he was a little freaking out, they actually made him come out with his hands up and guns were drawn,” she said.

The woman said her son told her troopers explained they were pursuing someone on foot in the area.

“They just said they were on a foot pursuit and the guy was jumping the fences behind my house. A construction worker saw him go down my steps, but didn’t know where he went from there. That’s why they need to make sure everything is safe,” she said.

Nearby residents also noticed the heavy police activity.

Michele Brown of Bridgeton said she was walking her dogs when she saw officers in the area.

“It was a lot I didn’t understand what was going on,” Brown said.

Brown said the scene was alarming for people nearby.

“Definitely startling cause you see all these cops with their guns out, and you’re just looking like, ‘Whoa’,” she said.

Action News reached out to New Jersey State Police for more information, but we did not receive a response.

In a statement, Millville police say the suspect was not apprehended after fleeing state police on foot.

There is no suspected threat to the community, the department added.

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New Jersey

Chemistry Class | DEVILS NOW | New Jersey Devils

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Chemistry Class | DEVILS NOW | New Jersey Devils

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