THE BRIDGE INC

FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES - FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES (FPS) IS AN INTENSIVE, IN-HOME CRISIS INTERVENTION AND FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN ARE AT RISK OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT, AND FOR FAMILIES PREPARING TO BE REUNIFIED WITH THEIR CHILDREN, REFERRED TO THE BRIDGE BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION & PERMANENCY (DCP&P). THE HIGHLY TRAINED AND DEDICATED STAFF OF FPS IS AVAILABLE TO EACH FAMILY 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR UP TO EIGHT WEEKS. FAMILIES THROUGHOUT ESSEX AND UNION COUNTIES ARE PROVIDED WITH 5 TO 20 HOURS OF DIRECT FACE-TO-FACE SERVICES PER WEEK. THE INTENSIVE SKILL-BASED INTERVENTION INCLUDES A MINIMUM OF THREE HOME VISITS PER WEEK WHERE STAFF TEACHES FAMILIES A VARIETY OF SKILLS WHICH INCLUDES PARENTING, STRESS MANAGEMENT, COPING, COMMUNICATION, AND ANGER MANAGEMENT. THE GOAL OF FPS IS TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE, STABILIZE THE FAMILY, PREVENT OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT, IMPROVE FAMILY FUNCTIONING, AND LINK FAMILIES WITH APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY RESOURCES. ALL SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO BUILD ON FAMILY STRENGTHS.

FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:IMANI CENTERFOR OVER 30 YEARS, WE HAVE HELPED IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS BUILD LIFE SKILLS, STRENGTH, AND RESILIENCY. WE PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND FAMILY THERAPY, COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, ACADEMIC AND CAREER COUNSELING, FIELD TRIPS, AND OTHER ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES TO THESE DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS.- COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES- ACADEMIC SUPPORT- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTSUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PROGRAM AT THE IMANI CENTERTHE IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL SUBSTANCE USE PROGRAM, FUNDED BY AN 18-MONTH GRANT FROM THE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION OF NJ, IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE SUBSTANCE USE AMONG STUDENTS AT IRVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL WHILE INCREASING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. THROUGH FIVE INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS, 270 STUDENTS REFERRED BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL WILL LEARN ABOUT THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF THEIR SUBSTANCE USE AND DEVELOP GOALS AND STRATEGIES TO STOP USING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. SOME STUDENTS WILL BE REFERRED FOR ADDITIONAL CARE. THE PROGRAM WILL TRACK SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND GRADES OF STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS REQUESTED THAT THE PROGRAM BE PROVIDED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AS WELL.CALDWELL-WEST CALDWELL SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMSBUILDING ON AN EXISTING 45-YEAR PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE BRIDGE AND THE CALDWELL-WEST CALDWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE BRIDGE PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR THE DISTRICT'S STUDENTS.