The NJAC Foundation -- Better Service Through Education

The NJAC Foundation was established by the New Jersey Association of Counties in 1997 for several purposes: to promote a broader understanding of the critical role that county governments have in delivering vital services; to provide professional education to county officials in the form of formal courses, seminars and educational events; and to provide educational opportunities for students throughout New Jersey.
Through the Foundation, the organization provides a number of educational programs:

• The Annual NJAC Conference – The Annual NJAC Conference is primarily an educational event for county officials. It features dozens of seminars approved by the State for continuing education credits for certified county professionals. The seminars are designed to make county professionals aware of new practices, public policy trends, technologies and solutions to their common challenges. At its 2009 Conference the NJAC Foundation offered 33 seminars that were attended by hundreds of county officials. Thousands of county officials have been educated by the seminars over the years. Additionally, the Conference is designed to promote interaction between county officials and top state leaders by whose policies and decisions county governments are affected. For 59 years the Annual NJAC Conference has attracted governors, cabinet members, federal officials and candidates who come to hear from NJAC members about the issues faced by county governments.

• The LEAD New Jersey Program – In partnership with The College of New Jersey, the NJAC Foundation offers the nation’s only accredited college-level course for county officials. The five-week program is taught by college professors and industry practitioners, and its graduates can earn three credits toward a post-graduate degree. It is designed to educate elected county officials and county government professionals in a range of disciplines, including public finance, public administration, land-use management and the history of county government in New Jersey.

• The Partners in Excellence Scholarship Program – Established in 1995 to help students advance their educations and encourage them to consider careers in county government, the Partners in Educational Excellence awards scholarships annually to one student from each of the 21 vocational-technical schools. Students can use the money to attend any county or state institution of higher learning. The program is intended to expand educational opportunities for county students and to encourage them to consider careers in county government. Since its inception 14 years ago, the Partners in Educational Excellence Program has awarded $147,000 to 294 students from every county in New Jersey.

• The NJAC/Wal-Mart Green Internship Program – This new program, established in 2009, is a partnership between the NJAC Foundation and the Wal-Mart Corporation. Its purpose is to create a hands-on learning experience for students interested in emerging “green” technologies. Under the program, one student from each of the county vocational-technical schools is chosen to participate in a structured learning program. The students work on county government projects or programs to reduce energy consumption. Wind turbines, alternative fuel vehicles, geothermal heating and cooling systems and smart building design are just some of the areas in which students are getting a first-hand education thanks to this program. The program has two goals: to help students prepare for the new “green” economy and to build a pool of prospective county employees qualified in the technologies of tomorrow. To date, the NJAC/Wal-Mart Green Internship Program awarded a combined $18,000 in stipends to students in 18 counties.

• The NJAC/PSE&G Green Scholarship Program – In partnership with PSE&G, one of the state’s largest utility companies, the NJAC Foundation offers scholarships to students who are learning about green technologies and practices. All of the 21 county vocational-technical schools offer programs now in energy management. Under the Green Scholarship Program, established in 2009, one outstanding student from each school is selected annually to receive a scholarship that can be applied to any county or state college so they may continue their education. Like the Green Internship Program, this program is aimed at helping students to learn emerging “green” technologies and to educate prospective county employees who are proficient in those technologies. So far this year the NJAC/PSE&G Green Scholarship Program has distributed $10,000 in scholarships to 20 students.

• NJAC County Orientation Manual – The NJAC Foundation publishes the NJAC County Orientation Manual as a resource tool and guide for newly-elected county officials. Developed in 2000, the NJAC Manual provides information on the New Jersey Association of Counties, the NJAC Foundation, the National Association of Counties and contact information for state officials, federal officials and local media outlets.

For information about any of the NJAC Foundation's programs, including how to register, click here.

NJAC/WALMART STRUCTURED LEARNING GRANTS AWARDED

The New Jersey Association and WalMart recently announced the recipients of this year's Structured Learning Grants. The grants are awared to outstanding students who are seeking careers in green sciences. Below are the recipients:

Spencer Justin, Atlantic County

Angela Kwok, Bergen County

Michael Rivera, Burlington County

Jasmin Jimenez, Camden County

Zoe Daly, Cape May County

Phillip Grimshaw, Cumberland County

Courtney Johnson, Essex County

David Riebel, Gloucester County

Johnny Voong, Hudson County

Adam Vacirca, Mercer County

Jagpreet Siingh Khakh, Middlesex County

Stephen Lengyel, Monmouth County

Genna Soslow, Morris County

Brian Day, Ocean County

Richard Beltre, Passaic County

Steven Bracall, Salem County

Matthew Burtis, Somerset County

Chelsea Shupe, Sussex County

Keith Nichols, Union County

Christian English, Warren County