Recovery Coach

Recovery Coaches are deployed to hospitals (in participating counties) to encourage patients who have been revived by Narcan to seek treatment. Recovery Coaches are peer counselors – individuals who are in recovery who can relate to the day to day challenges of a person with addiction disorder seeking recovery. The program currently is active in 5 counties (Camden, Essex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic) and is set to expand to 6 more in fiscal year ’17.

College Recovery Dorms

Recovery Dorms were initiated in an effort to provide peer support and a substance free housing environment for participating college students. The living situation provides a safe, nurturing place for students to maintain recovery. The program, run directly by the colleges, makes accessible on-site recovery support programs and counseling. At this time, The College of New Jersey and Rutgers University have active programs.

Patient Navigator

Patient navigators provide professional and peer counseling to people revived with Narcan for an opioid overdose. Hospital staff refers patients to clinically appropriate treatment and provide follow-up. The program currently is active in 5 counties (Camden, Essex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic) and is set to expand to 6 more in fiscal year ’17.

Supportive Housing

Supportive housing means housing enriched with wrap-around services that help the consumer achieve/sustain recovery. The DHS currently has 62 units of subsidized housing and two intensive support teams that serve participating consumers.

Medicaid Expansion

In January 2014, New Jersey expanded its Medicaid eligibility criteria to include single, childless adults with income at or under 138% of the federal poverty level. This includes singles earning just over $16,000 per year and couples earning just over $22,000 per year. This population previously was not eligible for state subsidized health care unless they qualified for the state’s WorkFirst NJ General Assistance program (welfare). It is also a population at risk for mental health and addiction disorders. Individuals who believe themselves to be eligible can call the state’s Medicaid program, NJ FamilyCare, at 1-800-701-0710 or apply online at www.njfamilycare.org.

Prescription Drug Monitoring

The New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program (NJPMP) involves interstate data-sharing capabilities with various states to identify, investigate, and prosecute the illegal sources and distribution of prescription opioid drugs. Qualified prescribers and pharmacists are able to access the prescription history of patients presenting with pain symptoms. At this time, there are more than 50 million prescription records now available to review. The initiative is administered by the Department of Law and Public Safety’s Division of Consumer Affairs.

Recovery/Self Help Centers

NJ currently funds and supports 33 Self-Help Centers in the 21 counties across the state, all of which are consumer-operated and provide dedicated space for mental health consumers to grow in their recovery through self-help, socialization, peer support, opportunities for employment, and specialized wellness programs.

County Drug and Alcohol Offices

Each of the 21 counties in New Jersey has offices that address substance use disorders. Click here for a list of locations.

GA/TANF – SAI

The Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) Substance Abuse Initiative (SAI) provides comprehensive assessments, referrals to treatment and care management for GA/TANF recipients whose substance use and or mental health disorder is a barrier to their employability. Individuals are guided into treatment and services are monitored across a continuum of care based on their changing needs. Eligible residents should discuss this program at their local County Welfare Office/Board of Social Services.

Regional Coalitions

NJ has 17 Regional Prevention Coalitions that focus on prevention priorities: underage drinking, misuse/abuse of prescription drugs, use of illegal substances, and abuse of new and emerging drugs of abuse.

Medication Assisted Treatment

Medication Assisted Treatment is the use of various prescription medications in coordination with counseling and therapeutic strategies to support recovery for individuals with an opioid use disorder. Three New Jersey licensed Opioid Treatment Programs in Essex, Monmouth and Ocean counties are participating in this initiative.      

Behavioral Health Homes

Behavioral Health Homes provide integrated primary and behavioral health care to people with a primary diagnosis of mental illness and a co-occurring substance use disorder. There currently are 4 behavioral health homes and 7 new program awards.

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment.  (SBIRT)

The SBIRT program is an early intervention program. Through a screening process, consumers are assessed to determine the level of treatment required to achieve recovery and then referred to available and appropriate treatment.  SBIRT programs are available through the Rowan University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Glassboro 856-256-4333, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson, New Brunswick, 732-235-8993

Mandatory Drug Court

Governor Chris Christie instituted Mandatory Drug Court statewide in 2012. Drug Court allows non-violent drug offenders an opportunity to attend a five-year treatment program instead of jail/prison. As of July 2016, it is active in 17 counties and more than 5,000 people were enrolled/graduated from the program.

Interim Management Entity (IME)

The Interim Management Entity is a Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services partnership with Rutgers’ University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC). The IME serves as a single-point-of-entry resource, referral and treatment authorization for uninsured and low-income residents searching for treatment options. The IME operates a 24/7/365 hotline with professional counselors to assist consumers. In general, about 30 referral are made per day. The phone number is # 1-844-276-2777