>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PS AG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG- TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IN JUST 24 HOURS, STATE WILL BEGIN EASING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, LIFTING THE CAPACITY LIMITS ON INDOOR AND OUT DOOR GATHERINGS.

A DECISION THAT WAS MOVED FORWARD THREE DAYS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE DUE TO PROGRESS IN FIGHTING THIS LATEST WAVE OF THE VIRUS.

ROUGHLY 1500 A POSITIVE TEST REPORTED TODAY, AND 34 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE NOW AT THE LOWEST SINCE EARLY NOVEMBER.

AND, THERE'S MORE PROGRESS TONIGHT ON VACCINE TRIALS.

OFFICIALS FROM THE DRUG MAKER MODERNA SAY IT IS COVID-19 VACCINE IS 96% EFFECTIVE IN THOSE 12 TO 17 YEARS OLD.

IT MEANS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, A CRETE KEY GROUP TO REACHING HERD IMMUNITY COULD BE VACCINATED BEFORE THE START OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

IT IS A WELCOME STEP AS DEMAND TO GET A SHOT CONTINUES TO CLIMBING.

JUST OVER 3.4 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED ACROSS THE STATE.

AND, THE STATE IS NOW SHIFTING STRATEGIES BECAUSE OF THAT.

TO COMBAT HESITANCY AND GET THOSE ON THE FENCE TO LEAP TO THE OTHER SIDE, SHUTTING DOWN MASSIVE SITES THAT ONCE HAD LINES OF LONG AS AMUSEMENT PARKS IN FAVOR OF A LOCALIZED PERSONAL APPROACH.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> THERE WERE MORE WORKERS THAN THERE WERE PEOPLE GETTING VACCINE.

>> MARK JUST GOT HIS COVERED SHOT AT THE ESSEX COUNTY VACCINATION SET UP INSIDE SEARS AT LIVINGSTON MALL.

THE CABINET SITE WHICH EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC WITH THOUSANDS OF DAILY APPOINTMENTS LOOKS DECIDEDLY EMPTY TODAY.

SO EMPTY, THE COUNTY WILL TEMPORARILY SHUT IT DOWN ALONG WITH TWO OTHERS, WEST CALDWELL AND DONALD PAYNE SCHOOL IN NEWARK LATER THIS MONTH.

>> THAT'S TERRIBLE.

BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS GOT TO GET VACCINATED.

YOU KNOW, WHERE ARE PEOPLE GOING TO GET THE VACCINE'S QUESTION MY >> IF THE DEMAND IS NOT THERE, THEN IT'S OKAY AS LONG AS THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE NEARBY.

>> IT'S JUST ABOUT NUMBERS RIGHT NOW.

LIKE THIS WEEK ALONE, WE ONLY HAVE 400 POINT.

YES, WE HAVE 15 TO 2002nd APPOINTMENTS, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT MANY APPOINTED'S.

AND, WE ARE TOLD ABOUT FIVE SITES.

>> COUNTY EXECUTIVE SAYS HE WILL SWITCH STAFF TO CLOSED SITES TO HELP CREATE ANOTHER MOBILE UNIT THAT CAN HELP OPERATING AT LOCAL CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND BOOST THE COUNTY'S LOCAL VACCINATION OUTREACH EFFORTS TO HOMEBOUND FOLKS.

THE STRATEGY WILL TARGET POCKETS OF CONTINUED VACCINE RESISTANCE.

>> WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON NORTHEAST, ORANGE, IRVINGTON, AND ORANGE.

WE NEED TO REPRESENT AND IT'S IMPORTANT.

PEOPLE THINK IT'S OVER RIGHT NOW, AND IT'S NOT OVER.

WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT IS STILL OUT THERE.

NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE GET VACCINATED.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO REACH GAPS THAT ARE NOT ABLE TO GET TO THESE LARGER SITES.

AND THEN, IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO GO TO THE COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE TO DO THE COMMUNITY SITES.

>> HESITANCY IS STEEPED IN TRUTH, AND IN A HISTORIC NATURE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

SO, THERE IS SOMEWHAT OF A HURDLE, BUT I THINK THAT EVERY DAY, WITH CONVERSATIONS, AND WITH SCIENCE, WE ARE ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY IN A POSITIVE WAY.

>> THE COUNTY HAS STOPPED TAKING FIRST DOSE APPOINTMENT AT THE THREE SIDES, THEY WILL CLOSE MAY 28.

ANY SECOND IS APPOINTED GO BEYOND THAT DATE ARE BEING SENT TO ALTERNATE SITES AT A NEARBY KMART, OR AT ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE.

>> THE LARGER MASS VACCINATION SITES WILL BECOME LESS USEFUL.

>> UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL SAYS NEWARK FULLY VACCINATED RATE IS 30% OF ADULTS COMPARED TO ABOUT 50% FOR THE STATE WITH FEWER FOLKS SEEKING SHOTS, HE SAYS REACHING HERD IMMUNITY WILL TAKE LONGER, AND THERE IS A DANGER THAT THE RATE WILL JUST PLATEAU.

>> NOBODY EXPECTED THIS SECOND HALF OF THE POPULATION TO BE NEARLY AS EASY AS THE FIRST HAVE CAUSE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS THEY ARE NOW REWRITING MOST OF THEIR VACCINES THROUGH THE FEDERAL PHARMACY PROGRAMS AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SITES MORE DISTRIBUTED WITH FOLKS TO GET ACCESS.

>> A LOT OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY DID NOT WANT TO GO TO THE MEGA SITES.

THEY WERE AFRAID.

THEY DID NOT TOGETHER SO THEY WANT TO GO TO THEIR LOCAL PHARMACY.

SO IT'S A COMFORT LEVEL.

YOU KNOW, YOU TRUST YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST.

>> HUDSON DRUG AND CREST KILLS ARE ONE AMONG MANY PHARMACIES OFFERING COVETS UP AN APPOINTMENT.

HE HAS SEEN DEMAND FOR COVERED SHOTS INCREASE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF HOMEBOUND PATIENTS, AND THEY CANNOT GET UP, THEY CANNOT GET TO THE MASS VACCINATION FOR THE CANNOT EVEN GET TO THE LOCAL PHARMACY.

SO, WE GO TO THEM.

SINCE WE HAD IT FOR ABOUT A MONTH, WE SEEN IN THE TICK AND PEOPLE GETTING THE VACCINE.

>> AND HE SAYS TRUST WILL PLAY AN EVEN LARGER ROLE AS NEW JERSEY AND THE NATION STRUGGLES TO VACCINATE THOSE WHO NEED TO BE PERSUADED.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> EVEN AS SOME OF THE LARGER SIZE CLOSEDOWN, THE STATE IS STARTING TO CENTRALIZE VACCINATION OPTIONS FOR HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS.

CAREGIVERS AND FAMILIES CAN CALL A HOTLINE TO SCHEDULE AN IN-HOME VACCINE APPOINTMENT, OR REQUEST ONE ONLINE NOW WITH A NEW STATE WEBSITE.

ADVOCACY GROUPS HAVE BEEN CALLING ON THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO STREAMLINE THE CONFUSION OF PATRICK PLACES TO SIGN UP.

THE STATE HAS ROUGHLY 11 THOUSAND HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS AT LEAST 7000 HAVE US TODAY SHOT AT HOME NEXT TO A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND HEALTH AGENCIES.

THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS ALSO NO SENDING DOSES DIRECTLY TO HOME HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CALL CENTER AND THE NEW WEBSITE, HAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> WHILE SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BECOME ONE OF THE KEY WAYS TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR LOCAL ELECTED LEADERS, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT BECAME A NATIONAL ISSUE THIS YEAR AS HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS BEGAN BLOCKING THE PROCESS AND CONSTITUENTS FROM ENGAGING WITH THEM ON THOSE PLATFORMS.

PARTICULARLY WHEN I CAME TO TEMPT THE LOCAL TOPICS.

COUNCILMEMBERS IN HOBOKEN PROPOSED A NEW ORDINANCE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT OFFICIALS FROM BLOCKING INDIVIDUALS ON THOSE SOCIAL SITES.

BUT AS LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS, THAT IDEA WENT NOWHERE FAST.

>> IF YOU DON'T HEAR FROM SOMEONE, JUST BLOCK THEM.

BUT THE QUESTION IN HOBOKEN IS, SHOULD POLITICIANS BE ALLOWED TO DO THE SAME?

>> IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE CAUSE OF OUR FIRST AMENDMENT EVERYONE, NO MATTER HOW NEGATIVE-- AS A POLITICIAN, YOUR SIGNING UP.

THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO VOICE APPEARED OBVIOUSLY THAT SOMETHING DANGEROUS MUST BE DEALT WITH UP TO THE SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES.

NOT TO THE POLITICIANS THEMSELVES.

>> HOBOKEN CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FELT THE SAME SO THEY WROTE AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM BLOCKING PEOPLE IN SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> IT'S ONE THAT CERTAIN PUBLIC OFFICIALS, THEY CURATE THEIR PAGES.

TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S SORT OF THE SENT FREE ZONE.

WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A PANDEMIC WHERE YOU CAN'T REALLY GO TO A TOWN HALL, YOU CAN'T REALLY SAFELY GO AND GATHER.

>> YOUR RESIDENT HAS BEEN BLOCKED BY COUNSEL NUMBER ON TWITTER, HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO SEEK TO CURE THAT ISSUE?

>> IN JULY OF 2019, THE SECOND U.S.

CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS RULED PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS IN VIOLATION OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT WHEN HE BLOCKS TWITTER USERS.

THE JUDGE WROTE THE FIRST AMENDMENT DOES NOT PERMIT A PUBLIC OFFICIAL WHO UTILIZES A SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT FOR ALL MANNER OF OFFICIAL PURPOSES TO EXCLUDE PERSONS FROM AN OTHERWISE OPEN ON MY DIALOGUE, BECAUSE THEY EXPRESS VIEWS WITH WHICH THE OFFICIAL DISAGREES.

ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, THE HOBOKEN ORDINANCE WAS VOTED DOWN ON A CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

MEANING, ELECTED OFFICIALS CAN STILL BLOCK YOU.

>> IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE BANNED FROM A PERSON'S COUNSEL AND PAID FOR QUESTIONING THE VERACITY OR THE HONESTY, INTEGRITY, OR EVEN POKING FUN AT A PERSON, BUT HAS A CHILLING EFFECT, NOT BY THE SECOND CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS SELECT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO DO IT?

>> HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF MANY A TWITTER RESPONSE TO THE NEGATIVE.

IT'S PART OF WHAT COMES WITH THE TERRITORY AS A PUBLIC FIGURE.

>> COUNSELOR TIFFANY EXCITES WHAT SHE VOTED AGAINST IT.

>> THE TOP IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO AMENDMENT RIGHTS WHICH I FULLY SUPPORT.

THE ISSUE FOR ME IS THAT THE NATURE OF THIS ORDINANCE HAD THE INTENDED >> HE KNEW THAT I WOULD BE FINE FOR BLOCKING YOU DURING THE ELECTION DURING THE CAMPAIGN, YOU CAN BASICALLY SAY ANYTHING YOU WANTED, ANYTHING HATE FILLED, ANYTHING DEFAMATORY, AND I BASICALLY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DEFEND MYSELF AND I HAVE A REAL ISSUE WITH THAT.

>> COUNCILMAN HAS BEEN IN THE LIMELIGHT FOR BLOCKING USERS, BUT SAYS HE HAS SINCE UNBLOCKED THEM.

IN A STATEMENT, HE EXPLAINS I HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF HOMOPHOBIC ATTACKS AND IN RESPONSE, I DID BLOCK A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE FROM SOCIAL MEDIA TO PROTECT MY SELF AND MY FAMILY.

ADDING, BULLYING IN ALL FORMS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND INAPPROPRIATE, AND MY PAGES NOT TAXPAYER AND ENTIRELY SEPARATE FROM OFFICIAL CITY BUSINESS.

POLITICIANS RELY ON SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES TO FLAG HARASSING PROFILES?

FISHER DOES NOT BELIEVE SO.

>> I THINK THEY DO THEIR BEST TO HAVE POLICIES THAT FOLLOW AT LEAST SOME LINE OF THINKING BUT THE REALITY IS, IS A 25-YEAR- OLD BUSINESS ANALYST AT TWITTER OR FACEBOOK THAT IS GOING TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT I'VE BEEN HARASSED?

THAT BASICALLY IMPACTS MY ABILITY TO HAVE THE SAME DEFENSES THAT CURRENTLY EXIST IN STATE LAW AND FEDERAL LAW.

>> I AM LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MEANWHILE TODAY, ALONG HOBOKEN WATERFRONT, LONG- AWAITED ANTI-FLOODING PROJECT IS FINALLY UNDERWAY.

IT'S BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.

EVER SINCE THE SUPER STORM SANDY RAVAGED THE CITY IN 2012, WITH A SEVEN FOOT STORM SURGE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY AND SECRETARY MARCIA FUDGE AND A WHOLE FLEET OF LOCAL AND STATE LEADERS HOSTED A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY THIS MONEY FOR THE REBUILD BY DESIGN PROJECT.

A $230 MILLION PLAN BEING FUNDED BY FEDERAL SANDY RECOVERY DOLLARS.

IT'LL CREATE NEW FLOOD WALLS, WATER PUMPS, AND UPGRADES TO HOBOKEN'S AGING SEWER SYSTEM.

THE HUDSON RIVER FLOODED 80% OF THE CITY.

NO PROTECTION FROM THE STORM SURGE.

FAMILIES WERE STRANDED WITHOUT POWER, TRANSIT LINKS, THEY WERE OUT OF COMMISSION.

HOBOKEN BECAME AN ISLAND.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT WINTER YEARS OF PLANNING AND PUBLIC INPUT.

LOCAL OFFICIALS TRUST THIS WILL NOT BE INVASIVE SEAWALLS AS ONCE FEARED, BUT WILL INSTEAD BE BUILT INTO THE FABRIC OF THE CITY INCLUDING A NEW WATERFRONT PARK THAT WILL CAPTURE RAINWATER AND PROTECT CITY STREETS AND FLOODING.

ANYBODY WAS PART OVERNIGHT IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM KNOWS THAT WELL.

CONSTRUCTION ON THE FIRST PHASE IS SCHEDULED TO START IN EARLY 22.

>> WHEN THEY ASK ME, WHY ARE WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE?

I'M GOING TO TELL THEM GO TO HOBOKEN, THEY CAN TELL YOU.

YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY ASKED ME WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO BUILD PARKS AND WATERWAYS AND PLAYGROUNDS, I'M GOING TO SAY YOU NEED TO GO TO HOBOKEN BECAUSE THEY CAN TELL YOU.

>> MEANTIME, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS STILL PUSHING AN AMBITIOUS PLAN FOR 100% CLEAN ENERGY IN THE NEXT 30 YEARS.

THE CUSTOMERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT TO LEARN JUST HOW MUCH THAT WILL COST TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

THE STATE IS HIRING A CONSULTANT TO ANALYZE THE COST OF TRANSITIONING TO CLEAN ENERGY.

THE REPORT IS PROJECTED TO TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS AND WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ROLLED INTO THE NEW ENERGY MASTER PLAN ADOPTED OVER A YEAR AGO, BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED.

IT MEANS WHATEVER IT ENDS UP COSTING WON'T BE KNOWN UNTIL AFTER THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION THIS FALL.

CONSUMER ADVOCATES AND BUSINESS GROUPS HAVE RAILED AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION ON COST OF THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE MAKING CRITICAL DECISIONS WITHOUT KNOWING THE IMPACT ON RATE HIRING.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON WHAT WILL BE INCLUDED, TECH OUT TOM JOHNSON'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> THE POWER OF THE VETO.

GOVERNOR MURPHY NIXES A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE MADE A CHRIS CRISTI ERA COMMISSION PERMANENT.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA?

>> RIHANNA, BUSINESS GROUPS ARE NOT HAPPY THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS VETOED A BILL THEY SAY WOULD HAVE CUT BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE.

THE BILL WOULD HAVE SET UP A COMMISSION TO REVIEW RULES, REGULATIONS AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS IMPACTING BUSINESSES.

THE LEGISLATION DID HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

ONE OF THE SPONSORS, AND ARE HE SAID THE COMMISSION WOULD HAVE MADE GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT REDUCING SAVINGS FOR TAXPAYERS.

WEEKLY UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS CONTINUE TO DROP.

THE NUMBER OF WORKERS FILING NEW CLAIMS HIT A LOW SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

JOBLESS CLAIMS IN THE U.S. FALL TO 498,000, A SIGN THAT MORE WORKERS ARE FINDING JOBS.

COMPANIES HAVE HAD A RENEWED FOCUS ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION THIS PAST YEAR, BUT NOW, SOME STATE BUSINESS GROUPS LIKE NEW JERSEY'S LEADERS ARE STARTING TO TAKE ACTION.

THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY, TOGETHER HAVE COME UP WITH A CEO PLEDGE.

IT ASKS EXECUTIVES TO COMMIT TO SPECIFIC DIVERSITY GOALS.

JOHN HARTMAN, CEO OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER BELIEVES THIS WILL LEAD TO REAL CHANGE.

>> THERE'S BEEN AN OUTPOURING TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND ALL SECTORS OF THE STATE TRYING TO FORM RELATIONSHIPS WITH US TO HELP MORE BLACK PEOPLE GET JOBS.

>> BEYOND HIRING MORE BLACK WORKERS, THE CEOs MUST ALSO COMMIT TO DIVERSIFYING THEIR CORPORATE BOARDS.

IN THE MEANTIME, NEW JERSEY EXECUTIVES ARE FINALLY READY TO DITCH ZOOM OR TEAMS FOR SOME FACE TIME WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES.

A SMALL SURVEY FINDS TWO THIRDS OF THE STATES BUSINESS LEADERS ARE READY TO ATTEND IN PERSON NETWORKING EVENTS, CHAMBERS HAS 100 PEOPLE RESPONDED TO ITS POLE.

HIS DECIDED TO TELL HEART RESTAURANT ARE STILL REELING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S NEW RESTAURANT METALLIZATION GRANT PROGRAM HAS SEEN ASSERTED APPLICANT THIS WEEK.

THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SAYS IN THE FIRST 36 HOURS, RECEIVED MORE THAN 186,000 APPLICATIONS FROM RESTAURANTS IN ALL 50 STATES.

NO WORD YET ON JUST HOW MANY OF THOSE APPLICATIONS WERE FROM NEW JERSEY.

NOW, HERE'S A LOOK AT THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR NJ BUSINESS BE.

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE GARDEN STATE.

SHE CHECKS IN WITH THE NEXT GENERATION OF JERSEY FARMERS ABOUT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND OPPORTUNITIES CHANGING THE STATES AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.

WATCH IT ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. >>> SINCE THE START OF THIS PANDEMIC, BLACK YOUTH HAVE WITNESSED MORE COVID-19 RELATED ILLNESS AND THEIR TRAUMA AND THE WHITE PEERS HAVE.

THEIR FAMILIES HAVE SUFFERED DISPROPORTIONATE ECONOMIC SETBACKS BRING THEM AT HIGHER RISK FOR FOOD INSECURITY AND EVEN THE EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE.

MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT AND NEED IT CREATES, AND IS LAUNCHING A NEW PROGRAM TARGETING THE EMOTIONAL HEALTH NEEDS FOR FAMILIES OF COLOR.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> I ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO WAS LIKE YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE LIKE A LABEL, YOU DON'T HAVE ANXIETY, YOU DON'T HAVE DEPRESSION, SO LIKE WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING HELP FOR?

>> Reporter: THIS IS A JUNIOR AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY.

A PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR STUDYING TO BECOME A THERAPIST.

SHE SAYS FOR A LONG TIME, SHE STRUGGLED WITH THE IDEA OF APPLYING HER KNOWLEDGE OF MENTAL HEALTH TO HERSELF.

>> PERSONALLY, I'VE BEEN ALWAYS LIKE EXTROVERTED, LOVE SOCIALIZING, LIFE SPEAKING TO PEOPLE.

HOWEVER, WHEN IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE I'M JUST FEELING REALLY DOWN, LIKE LOW ENERGY, SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE IT'S AFFECTING MY ACADEMICS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: AFTER, STRUGGLING THE EFFECTS WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND RACIAL TENSION ACROSS THE COUNTRY LAST YEAR.

SHE FINALLY SOUGHT THERAPY.

IT'S PEOPLE LIKE HER BUT THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IN NEW JERSEY IS TRYING TO REACH.

>> ALL OF US PROBABLY KNOW SOMEONE, FAMILY MEMBER, NEIGHBOR, COWORKER, FRIEND, LOVED ONE WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING SOME EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES THAT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT.

>> LAVERNE WILLIAMS HAD TO THE EMOTIONAL WELLNESS AND SPIRITUALITY PROGRAM.

SHE SAYS MENTAL HEALTH IS A BIG PROBLEM IMPACTING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> IS A VEGAN AND ALSO AS A SOCIAL WORKER, I WANT TO BLEND TOGETHER THEOLOGY WITH THE SCIENCES.

AND SO, I STARTED LOOKING AROUND FOR INFORMATION, AND I DID NOT SEE ANYONE WHO HAD A FACE THAT LOOKED LIKE MINE.

>> A LACK OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE OF COLOR, EVEN MORE EVIDENT THIS PAST YEAR.

>> I'M SEEING PARTICULARLY AS WELL NOW THAT PEOPLE ARE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

A LOT OF -- PEOPLE CAN'T WORSHIP THE WAY THEY USED TO.

THEY HAVE A HOMEGROWN SERVICE THAT WE ARE USED TO CUSTOMARILY DOING SO PEOPLE ARE MORE ANXIOUS OR DEPRESSED.

>> SO, THEY ARE EXTENDING THEIR SERVICES TO HOME ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS WITH ITS LATEST PROGRAM, COVID-19 PANDEMIC, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES OF COLOR.

>> WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED FOR A WHILE NOW, FOR SEVERAL YEARS ON THE FACT THAT FAMILIES ARE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF RECOVERY, WHERE THEY HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM, OR A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM OR BOTH.

BUT, FREQUENTLY THEY ARE LEFT OUT OF ANY KIND OF TREATMENT.

>> THE GROUP OFFERS MULTIPLE RESOURCES TO GET FAMILIES THE HELP THAT THEY NEED, INCLUDING ZOOM THERAPY SESSIONS, AND A TOLL-FREE HOTLINE WHERE PEOPLE CAN CHAT WITH TRAINED CLINICIANS IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES.

THERE IS EVEN A TEXTING OPTION AVAILABLE.

>> IF YOU LIKE HAVING TO SOME EXTENT SHARED EXPERIENCES OF BLACK WOMEN HAS KIND OF HELPED ME FIND A SPACE WHERE IT'S LIKE WE ALL UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK, OR HOW DO YOU WANTS THE, THE RESOURCES THAT YOU ARE PROVIDING FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE COMMUNITY, HOW DO YOU WANT THIS TO IMPACT THEM?

>> I WOULD HOPE THAT WE COULD HELP CONNECT THEM IN WAYS TO MEET THE NEEDS.

I GUESS THAT'S THE ANSWER.

WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO HELP THEM KNOW WHAT THEIR RESOURCES ARE, AND THEN TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM CONNECT TO THOSE RESOURCES.

>> AND MOST IMPORTANT, LEADERS AT THE --'S THAT THEY WANT KELLY SACO TO KNOW THAT THERE IS NO SHAME IN SEEKING HELP, AND THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> AN UPDATE ON THE STORY WE BROUGHT YOU YESTERDAY FROM PATTERSON.

AFTER FACING INCREASED ROSTER FROM BOTH PARENTS AND STATE GOVERNMENT, THE PATTERSON SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED A LIMITED BACK-TO-SCHOOL PLAN LATE WEDNESDAY.

BUT, IT INCLUDES JUST A SMALL NUMBER OF STUDENTS.

THOSE IN SELF-CONTAINED SPECIAL EDUCATION AND GRADES PRE-K-12, AND ENGLISH-LANGUAGE LEARNERS, AND THEY WILL NOT HEAD BACK UNTIL JUNE 8th, JUST TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDS AS OF TODAY, 16 SCHOOL DISTRICTS INCLUDING PATTERSON REMAIN IN AN ALL VIRTUAL LEARNING FORMAT.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS PUTTING THE SQUEEZE ON EVERY DISTRICT TO REOPEN BEFORE THE ACADEMIC YEAR ENDS.

BUT, THE PATH FORWARD ONCE THEY DO, THAT IS STILL VERY UNCERTAIN.

FOUNDING EDITOR AND EDUCATION WRITER, JOHN MOONEY HAS MORE INSIGHT.

>>> SO JOHN, ASIDE FROM A SLAP ON THE WRIST AND NAMING NAMES, WHAT CAN THE GOVERNOR RELATED TO GET THE SCHOOLS OPEN WITH SEVERAL WEEKS LEFT?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, THERE'S NOT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT.

SOME OF THE DECISIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE WHETHER THEY ARE OPEN OR NOT.

AND A COUPLE OF THEM HAVE SENT SOMETIMES.

THE PATTERSON ARE TWO ONES THAT ARE RIGHT NOW NOT REALLY PLANNING ON OPENING UP A LOT AS YOU MENTIONED PATTERSON MAY OPEN UP A LITTLE BIT.

BUT, TO BE THROWING SOME MONEY AT THE MIGHT HELP.

YOU KNOW, THAT CERTAINLY DOES NOT HURT IN GETTING SOME OF THE THINGS, PROTECTIONS IN PLACE.

BUT, I THINK NOW SCHOOLS ARE STARTING TO THINK ABOUT SUMMER SCHOOL AND EVEN NEXT FALL.

AND SO, WE ARE IN THE HOME STRETCH NOW.

I DON'T SEE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT CHANGING THIS ONE.

>> YEAH, HOW FAR OUT ARE THEY PLANNING RIGHT NOW QUESTION WORKS >> IS ACTUALLY ALREADY-- SUMMER SCHOOL.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY DO YOU KNOW, SORT OF EARLY IN THE CALENDAR YEAR.

THEY ARE NOW STARTING TO TALK ABOUT THE FALL.

THEY KNOW THEY ARE ALL GOING TO BE IN SCHOOL.

THAT SEEMS TO BE THE PATH WE ARE HEADED TOWARDS.

BUT WHAT'S IT GOING TO LOOK LIKE, CAN THEY DO THE PHYSICAL DISTANCING LOTS OF THINGS WE NEED TO GET PLANNED OUT AT THIS POINT.

THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT.

>> I KNOW THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD MET THIS WEEK.

I WOULD IMAGINE IT'S DIFFICULT TO KIND OF SET THESE PARAMETERS WHEN I MEAN, WE REALLY DON'T KNOW THE FUTURE HOLDS TRUE IF >> YEAH.

AND THEY'VE BEEN, THEY HAVE DEFERRED TO THE LOCAL DISTRICTS FROM THE BEGINNING ON THIS.

I MEAN, YES, THEY PUT OUT A COUPLE EDICTS ON IT, AND YES, THEY FOLLOWED IT UP WITH MONEY, BUT IT'S REALLY BEEN A LOCAL CONTROL KIND OF ISSUE.

AND THAT HAS LED TO SOME TENSIONS BECAUSE SOME TOWNS ARE OPENING MORE THAN OTHERS, SO THAT'S WHERE WE ARE IN THE PICKLE WE ARE, BUT CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW.

IT'S HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, SCHOOLS ARE FEELING MORE COMFORTABLE.

THEY'RE GETTING A TASTE OF THIS HYBRID, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE PART OF THEM PLANNING IN THE FALL.

IT WOULD DEPEND ON BASE.

I THINK MURPHY HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE WANTS KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM.

AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

WITHOUT MUCH OPTIONS TO FAMILIES.

SO, IT'LL BE AN INTERESTING TEST GOING FORWARD.

>> HAVING BEEN ENTRENCHED IN COVERING THE EDUCATION WORLD, SURPRISED OR NOT SURPRISED THAT YOU KNOW, MORE THAN A YEAR LATER, WE DO HAVE SOME OF THESE LARGE DISTRICTS STILL VIRTUAL?

>> WELL, AND MINUTES, NOTHING SURPRISES ME ANYMORE.

EXCEPT AS OF THAT TO YOU IN THE PAST.

IT IS SO UNPREDICTABLE AND I STOP TRYING TO MAKE ADDICTIONS.

I MEAN, THIS IS BEEN A REMARKABLE YEAR.

A LOT IS AT PLAY.

AND YOU KNOW, IN SOME OF THESE LARGER DISTRICTS, THE TEACHERS AND THEIR UNIONS HAVE GREATER POWER, AND CONSULT THINGS DOWN IF THEY'RE NOT FEELING THE BUILDINGS ARE SAFE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THESE, THESE ARE ALL DISTRICTS IN SO CALMLY PENDING GET SOME OF THESE TO THE BUILDING.

BUT I THINK YOU KNOW, AS I MENTIONED I THINK WE ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON IT.

I THINK SCHOOLS WILL ALL BE OPEN IN THE FALL.

AND WE WILL HAVE SOME YOU KNOW, WE WILL BE BACK TALKING ABOUT YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH PARENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE HOW TEACHERS FEEL COMFORTABLE, HOPE GET SO COMFORTABLE.

SO, I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT CONVERSATION.

>> JOHN MOONEY, REALLY QUICK.

PROMS AND GRADUATIONS, YES OR NO?

>> DEFINITELY.

BUT WITHIN THE ROLES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE OUT AROUND DISTANCING AND MASKS, AND ALIKE.

>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD TO TALK TO JOHN, THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> FINALLY, NOTHING QUITE SAYS THANK YOU LIKE A DRUM LINE FROM A SURPRISE MARCHING BAND.

THE PUBLIC CONCERT BY CHAVEZ HIGH SCHOOL PLAYED AT THE LIVINGSTON MALL VACCINATION SITE TODAY.

A WAY TO HONOR OUR NURSES TO HEALTHCARE HEROES DURING THIS NATIONAL NURSES WEEK.

THE BAND SPREAD A LITTLE MORE OF THE THINGS THAT VACCINE SITES ALL THROUGHOUT ESSEX COUNTY MAKING STOPS AT THE KMART, WEST CALDWELL TECH AND ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE.

SO WELL DESERVED.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT TOMORROW MORNING, WE CHECK IN ON THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF GOVERNOR MURPHY, AND PRESIDENT BIDEN'S JOB PERFORMANCE.

CATCH REPORTED ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ FOR A TALK WITH PATRICK LEE, DIRECTOR OF THE MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLLING INSTITUTE FIVE AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THEN, A PANEL OF REPORTERS DIG INTO THE TOP HEADLINES THIS WEEK.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSETED AND PSEG.

WE WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE WIND OFF-SHORE ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATION, SUPPLY CHAINS, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

OCEAN WIND, COMMITTED TO A LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> I'M MILES AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE THE BEST FOR THEM AND MYSELF BOTH BODY AND MIND.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER SO I CAN GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH.

THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO, SO WHEN I FEEL HEALTHY AND STRONG, SO ARE THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.