NJ Updates: Events, Deadlines, Programs, Guidance, and More

Virtual mental health and wellness support, including teletherapy, will be available at no cost to students at 44 of New Jersey's colleges and universities this fall. Through a partnership between the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and Uwill, students will have access to licensed practitioners and wellness tools 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Students may contact their campus for assistance directly or find services via the list of participating schools.?

Governor Murphy recently expanded New Jersey's Safe Haven Infant Protection Act by signing legislation to clarify that people who give birth in licensed general hospitals may safely surrender their infant anywhere in the hospital under the Act. Since the original Safe Haven law was signed in 2000, parents have been permitted to safely and anonymously surrender an unharmed infant that is no more than 30 days old to employees of any of the following sites without legal jeopardy:

• Police stations
• Hospital emergency departments
• Fire stations that operate 24/7
• Ambulance, first aid, or rescue squads that operate 24/7

Now that the law has been expanded, any adult employee of a licensed general hospital can accept a surrendered infant without facing civil or criminal liability. Police officers, firefighters, and ambulance/first aid/rescue squad members acting in good faith to execute their responsibility under the Safe Haven Infant Protection Act also continue to have civil and criminal immunity.

New Jerseyans are asked to remain vigilant and report potential threats and suspicious activity related to terrorism or other criminal activity. Anyone who observes suspicious activity should immediately report it to local law enforcement or to NJOHSP's Counterterrorism Watch Desk by calling 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ or emailing [email protected].

As we head into cold and flu season, New Jerseyans are encouraged to take precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones healthy.

Basic strategies to prevent the spread of viruses include staying up to date on your vaccinations, washing your hands often, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, and staying home if you're feeling or are sick.

Check with your health care provider to learn how best to protect yourself and your family from the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, especially if you have a weakened immune system.

Find locations offering COVID-19 vaccines on the COVID-19 Vaccine Finder and Community Calendar.?Visit NJ.gov/health/vaccines for more information.