CarePlus NJ Awarded Two Grants for Early Psychosis Treatment Programs Based in Bergen and Morris Counties

Paramus, N.J. (March XX, 2024) - Care Plus NJ, Inc. (“CarePlus NJ”), a pioneer in integrated primary and behavioral health services for adults and children, announces they have been awarded two grants to implement Coordinated Specialty Care & Community Integration Services (CSC & CI) for Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI) in Bergen and Morris Counties.

Funded by the New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), the program will treat youth and adults ages 15 and older who have experienced psychotic symptoms through a comprehensive service model that includes 24-hour accessible recovery support in the community and the clinical setting. The Bergen County program will service Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Passaic counties, while the Morris County program will treat those in Morris, Sussex, Hunterdon, and Warren counties. For the Morris County treatment facility, CarePlus will partner with Integrity House.

The programs will build off CarePlus NJ’s proven track record of delivering recovery-focused, person-centered care. The Coordinated Specialty Care & Community Integration program aims to fundamentally change the trajectory and prognosis of mental illness through coordinated and timely identification of and treatment in the prodrome, acute, or early recovery phases of psychosis symptoms. Implementation of Coordinated Specialty Care and Community Integration services reduces the likelihood of long-term disability that people with psychosis often experience. Early psychosis and ESMI can have a profound impact on the families or loved ones of clients, so understanding family members’ highly individual experiences and providing tailored interventions is crucial in supporting their stress and concerns while helping the client through treatment. This model aims to help youth and young adults with the disorder lead productive, independent lives, achieving their goals for school, work, and relationships.

“These grants signify a crucial investment in mental health care, as well as a reinforcement of our commitment to transforming lives and communities through comprehensive, compassionate treatment,” said Brigitte Johnson, Esq., President / CEO, CarePlus NJ. “We are incredibly grateful to DMHAS for these grants, which will enable us to further our Coordinated Specialty Care services in Northern New Jersey, and we are pleased to be able to provide essential services to individuals in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Morris, Sussex, Hunterdon and Warren counties experiencing serious mental illness.”

In Bergen County, CarePlus NJ has offered Coordinated Specialty Care since 2016 and has provided services to over 400 youth and young adults across Northern New Jersey.

The Morris County program will be implemented by CarePlus NJ along with Integrity House, one of the state’s oldest and largest providers of integrated mental health and substance use care. Integrity House has a long-established presence in Morris County, allowing CarePlus NJ and Integrity House to quickly and efficiently coordinate facilities and resources.

“The Coordinated Specialty Care model is a proven early intervention service that can significantly improve individuals’ quality of life while promoting better social and clinical outcomes,” said Robert J. Budsock, President and CEO of Integrity House. “We are proud to expand our deep and long-standing relationship with CarePlus NJ to deliver these services to Morris County residents in need.”

In Morris County, the Morris County Needs Assessment conducted by the NJ Department of Human Service reported a serious lack of resources despite increasing suicidal ideation, anxiety, and depression in the adolescent population.

In Bergen and the surrounding area, about 21.9% of residents rate their mental health status as fair or poor, a significant increase from 10.8% in 2016. About 23.2% of residents have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, a significant increase from 2016 (11.4%). Bergen County had the highest number of suicides in 2018-2020, based on data provided by the state of New Jersey. These numbers illustrate the need for establishing CSC programs throughout the state.

About CarePlus NJ

For more than 45 years, Care Plus NJ, Inc. has been a pioneer in integrated primary and behavioral health services for adults and children in northern New Jersey. Based in Paramus, New Jersey, CarePlus NJ is committed to providing the most comprehensive integrated treatment options through 80+ programs designed to meet the full spectrum of health and wellness needs for adults and children in the communities it serves. Specializing in acute care, CarePlus NJ provides immediate, high-quality health services and support programs for individuals in crisis. Nationally ranked for excellence in customer satisfaction by the Mental Health Corporations of America, CarePlus NJ is mission-driven, ensuring that anyone who needs it has access to specialized care. To learn more about CarePlus NJ and its wide range of programs and services, visit https://www.careplusnj.org/.