FAMILY CONNECTIONS INC

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES - FAMILY SUPPORT AND REUNIFICATION: GIVING FAMILIES THE TOOLS AND SUPPORT THEY DESERVE SO THAT THEY CAN STAY TOGETHER, TO BOND AND THRIVE. THESE FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS INCLUDE (1) THERAPEUTIC, SUPERVISED VISITATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGHOUT ESSEX, PASSAIC, MORRIS AND SUSSEX COUNTIES; (2) SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, COUNSELING AND CARE MANAGEMENT IN ESSEX, PASSAIC, HUDSON, BERGEN, AND UNION COUNTIES, FOR FAMILIES IN WHICH PARENTS HAVE A HISTORY OF CO-OCCURING SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL ILLNESS; (3) THE STRONG MOTHERS AND STRONG FATHERS PROGRAMS: GENDER-SPECIFIC INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT (IOP) SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT ENHANCED WITH PARENTING AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING. (4) FAMILY COUNSELING IS A LARGE PART OF ALL THESE PROGRAMS, TO FOSTER A STRONG FAMILY UNIT BY OFFERING INTENSIVE, HOME-BASED COUNSELING AND SUPPORT SERVICES THAT GIVE BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN A SENSE OF SAFETY, STABILITY AND SELF WORTH; (5) YOUTH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, COUNSELING, AND CARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR YOUTH IN UNION COUNTY WHO ARE AGING OUT OF THE NJ DCPP FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. (6) NJ4S-ESSEX DELIVERS A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE MENU OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO INSPIRE STUDENT SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND LIFE. WORKING DIRECTLY IN THE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS, NJ4S SERVICES INCLUDE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, THEIR PARENTS, AND THEIR EDUCATORS ALL TO STRENGTHEN: SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS; SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION; SEXUAL HEALTH AND PREGNANCY PREVENTION; SUICIDE PREVENTION; ANTI-BULLYING AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION; SUPPORT FOR LGBTQIA+ STUDENTS; UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA; UNDERSTANDING GRIEF AND THE IMPACT OF LOSS; OTHER NEEDS IDENTIFIED BY LOCAL STUDENTS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.

CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC (CCBHC) SERVICES HAVE ALLOWED US TO COMBINE OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES TOGETHER WITH BASIC PRIMARY HEATHCARE AND OTHER RESOURCES TO CREATE OUR INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES (IBHS): THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUTPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH; BI-LINGUAL CLINICAL SERVICES; CULTURALLY-COMPETENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR LOCAL VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES; WELLNESS HOUSE INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS; OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE PROGRAMS; MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND; ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION. THE PROGRAMS ENHANCE PERSONAL AND FAMILY COPING SKILLS, INSIGHT, MOTIVATION AND INDEPENDENCE THROUGH THE PROVISION OF INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING FOR ALL AGES. THE OUTPATIENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM HELPS ADULTS ACHIEVE AND SUSTAIN RECOVERY AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES THROUGH MAKING BETTER CHOICES. MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT USES MEDICATIONS IN COMBINATION WITH COUNSELING, TO TREAT OPIOID USE. OUR ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION COALITION EMPLOYS ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES TO REDUCE AND PREVENT UNDERAGE DRINKING AND DRUG ABUSE, INCLUDING PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE. CULTURAL COMPETENCY FOR OPIOID TREATMENT PROVIDERS (CC-OTP) PROVIDES STATEWIDE CULTURAL COMPETENCE TRAINING AND ONGOING SUPPORT FOR LICENSED OPIOID TREATMENT PROVIDERS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND EFFICACY OF THEIR SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER. "HELP FOR HEROES" IS OUR STATEWIDE PEER WELNESS PROGRAM FOR PEER SUPPORT SPECIALISTS WORKING WITH ADULTS WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES PEER SPECIALISTS WITH INDIVIDUAL AND GRUP COUNSELING, SELF-COMPASSION SKILLS, WELLNESS ACTIVITIES, AND OPEN PEER DISCUSSION GROUPS ALL DESIGNED TO REDUCE COMPASSION FATIGUE AND BURNOUT AND INCREASE RESILIENCY AND WELLNESS.