Community at the Core Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 6 - Empowering Choice through NJHOMES Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, host Kia King is joined by Janel Winter, Assistant Commissioner and Director of our Division of Housing & Community Resources, and Diane Riley, Manager of Special Projects of the Division of Housing & Community Resources, to discuss how DCA is strengthening housing and community development across New Jersey. They share how NJHOMES, the first program of its kind in the state, helps municipalities expand their vision of affordable housing and develop community-driven plans that guide developers and shape the future of their neighborhoods.

DCA Podcast Episode 5: Shared Services: Local Assistance Bureau Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Kia King sits down with DCA Local Assistance Bureau Chief Rick Richardella and DCA Local Assistance Bureau Municipal Technical Advisor Eileen Brennen to discuss the successes and importance of municipal Shared Services.

For more information you can visit: Shared Services at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/sharedservices.shtml

Email Questions to: sharedservices@dca.nj.gov

Municipalities Call: (609) 930-1981 for a free evaluation regarding the program

Funding Opportunities: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/Leap_grants.shtml

New Jersey State League of Municipalities Shared Services Resource Center: https://www.njslom.org/418/Shared-Services-Resource-Center

Local Government Services: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/index.shtml

DCA Data Hub: https://njdca-data-hub-njdca.hub.arcgis.com/

Episode 4 - Bringing Veterans Home Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, DCA Chief of Staff Kia King sits down with DCA Assistant Commissioner Janel Winter, DCA Office of Homelessness Prevention Director Michael Callahan, and New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner Vincent Solomeno for a powerful discussion about “Bringing Veterans Home,” a new program dedicated to ending veteran homelessness — and why this initiative matters for communities across New Jersey.
Know a veteran in your community who needs support?
• Call the Vet-2-Vet Hotline
Talk to a live person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-866-838-7654
Chat via the website: Helpline | NJ Vet2Vet
https://www.njvet2vet.com/helpline/
• Bringing Veterans Home Program
Initiate a referral by visiting: Bringing Veterans Home | NJ Department of Community Affairs
https://bvh.dca.nj.gov/
• NJ Veterans Benefits Hotline:
888-865-8387 / vbb@dmava.nj.gov
• Veterans Crisis Line:
988 Press 1
• Vets4Warriors:
855-838-8255
• Vet Center Call Center:
877-927-8387
• Call 2-1-1

Episode 3 - Fire Prevention Week Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Kia King sits down with Director and New Jersey State Fire Marshal Richard Mikutski and Charles Lavin from the Division of Fire Safety for an important conversation on fire prevention. They dive into the critical steps being taken to protect communities and highlight the progress New Jersey has made to keep all residents safe.

Episode 2 - Data for Action Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Kia King welcomes three of DCA’s leading voices in the data space: Dr. Christopher Wheeler, Chief Data Officer; John Harrison, Director of Information Technology; and Gavin Rozzi, Director of Data Center Administration. They discuss the vital role that data-driven insights play in decision-making across the department, and share some of the exciting new tools we’ve introduced to collect, analyze, and share data more effectively.

Episode 1 - Eviction Prevention In Action Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Kia King sits down with Dean Dafis, Director of the Office of Eviction Protection at DCA, to discuss eviction protections in New Jersey and highlight some of the department’s new, helpful tools for tenants and landlords.

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