FY 2021 Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) Grant Program for Mercer and Burlington Counties, New Jersey. - Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton (CCT) will strengthen Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC services) to two underserved areas of New Jersey, Mercer and Burlington Counties. All mental health indicators have worsened dramatically during the pandemic, particularly among historically underserved populations and the long-term effects of social isolation are causing an increase in demand. CCT has seen a dramatic increase in the need for service among people escaping domestic violence, unaccompanied minors, individuals recently released from prison, survivors of human trafficking, and those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness when the current eviction moratorium ends. These patient populations require more specialized intervention and treatment resources. Our CMHC will focus on treatment engagement, reducing crises, and providing the highest quality of care to those with multi-morbidities who are un/un-insured to achieve whole-person improvement outcomes. Our primary goal for this 2-year project is: To restore and expand the delivery of clinical services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively address the needs of individuals with serious emotional disturbance (SED), serious mental illness (SMI), and individuals with co-occurring disorder (COD).
Specific objectives to be achieved are centered around: Providing rapid access; Expanded services; Youth services, Transportation; and Removing barriers. All planned activities are aligned with National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care, Best Practices. Outcome measures will include: Number of individuals contacted through program outreach efforts and NOMS performance data on: number of individuals served; diagnoses; abstinence from substance use; housing stability; education/employment; social connectedness; access to treatment; treatment(s) provided; retention; criminal justice involvement; and client perception of care.
CCT is a licensed contracted provider with NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, is licensed with the NJ Department of Children and Families, is accredited through COA, is a licensed NJ Medicaid provider and maintains facility licensure with multiple managed care entities. Co-located primary care services (including services for individuals with HIV) are operational, organizational charts and workflows are in place, and staff are already trained. CCT is certified to provide the multi-risk prevention program, Familia Adelante, which will be a key intervention provided through our CMHC for immigrant populations. Our evidenced based trauma focused workshops and groups, developed on the best practices, has prepared us to support participants and provide them with a sense of personal and emotional safety.
As a CMHC grant recipient, CCT will collect and report two types of GPRA data: Infrastructure Development, Prevention and Mental Health Promotion (IPP), and National Outcome Measures (NOMS). CCT will collect and report IPP data on a quarterly basis. CCT will serve at least 1,411 individuals over the 2-year project period.
