Care Plus NJ Expands ARRIVE Together Program to 18 Bergen County Municipalities
Program has opened more than 2,000 cases and conducted over 9,500 follow-ups since launching in 2023
PARAMUS, N.J. (October 28, 2026) – Care Plus NJ, a leading nonprofit provider of integrated behavioral health and substance use disorder services, has expanded its ARRIVE Together program to 18 municipalities across Bergen County, strengthening partnerships between behavioral health professionals and local law enforcement to support individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
ARRIVE Together, which stands for Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation, pairs specially trained behavioral health professionals with law enforcement officers to respond to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. The statewide initiative aims to safely de-escalate crises, reduce arrests and uses of force, and connect individuals with appropriate treatment and community-based resources.
Since launching in Englewood in October 2023, Care Plus NJ's ARRIVE Together program has expanded its partnerships with police departments across Bergen County, including Paramus, Saddle Brook, Elmwood Park, Rochelle Park, Glen Rock, Fort Lee, Teaneck, Cliffside Park, Bergenfield, Alpine, Dumont, Leonia, Palisades Park and Tenafly. More recently, the program expanded to Ridgewood, Garfield and Cresskill, with plans to expand to additional municipalities as interest in the program continues to grow.
Since its launch, the Care Plus NJ program has opened more than 2,000 cases and conducted over 9,500 in-person and telephone follow-ups, helping individuals access continued care and support beyond an initial crisis response.
“The growth of ARRIVE Together across Bergen County reflects the value of bringing behavioral health professionals and law enforcement together to better support individuals experiencing crises,” said Amie Del Sordo, LCSW, Executive Senior Vice President of Crisis & Community Services and Bergen County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Mental Health Coordinator at Care Plus NJ. “These partnerships allow us to support police officers as they respond to behavioral health crises, while helping residents navigate difficult and often overwhelming situations with compassion, clinical expertise and access to appropriate care. The program also provides critical follow-up support, helping individuals and families connect with ongoing services and resources, address emerging needs and maintain access to care beyond the initial crisis.”
Care Plus NJ’s ARRIVE Together team includes certified mental health screeners and care coordinators who work alongside law enforcement officers who have completed CIT training. This specialized training equips officers with the skills to recognize behavioral health crises, de-escalate situations and connect individuals with appropriate care and support. Care Plus NJ has trained more than 1,000 law enforcement officers in CIT practices, reinforcing its longstanding commitment to strengthening crisis response and collaboration between behavioral health professionals and law enforcement.
Working together, Care Plus NJ staff and law enforcement officers respond to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, using de-escalation techniques, conducting psychiatric screenings when appropriate and connecting residents with community-based services. Beyond the initial response, Care Plus NJ staff provide ongoing follow-up support to help individuals and families access behavioral healthcare, substance use treatment, housing assistance, employment resources and other services based on their needs. This continued engagement helps address underlying challenges, reduce obstacles to care and support long-term stability.
“Our work doesn't end when the immediate crisis is over,” said Abraham Haché, Program Manager of ARRIVE Together at Care Plus NJ. “Building trust takes time, especially when someone may be hesitant to seek help. By staying connected with individuals and understanding their needs, we can help them access the right resources and support them as they work toward greater stability.”
For more information about Care Plus NJ and its behavioral health services, visit www.careplusnj.org.
About Care Plus NJ
Care Plus NJ is a leading nonprofit provider of integrated behavioral health, substance use disorder, and primary care services for adults and children across northern New Jersey. As one of the first Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in the U.S., Care Plus NJ sets the gold standard in delivering accessible, high-quality care regardless of diagnosis or insurance status. The organization serves over 12,000 individuals annually, offering a full continuum of behavioral health and social support services that empower people to reach their full potential. Care Plus NJ works to improve the overall well-being of the communities it serves.
For more information, visit www.careplusnj.org.