Commissioner Sarah Adelman today announced that Human Services has awarded contracts to Community Wellness Centers in each county for the purpose of better serving the needs of individuals with serious mental illness.

“Community Wellness Centers are crucial resources that offer innovative support, peer assistance, social services, and education on mental health and substance use disorders—all at no cost,” said Commissioner Adelman. “We are pleased to award these grants to help expand their services to historically underserved areas, and ensure staff are well-supported. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of this additional funding.”

This initiative will be supported by Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and is funded through the state. Services began this month and will continue through June 2025.

            Contracts were awarded to the following Community Wellness Centers:

• Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, which was awarded $443,460 for Burlington County.
• Center for Family Services, which was awarded $383,420 for Warren County.
• Collaborative Support Programs of NJ, which was awarded $463,434 for Bergen, $521,360 for Camden, $530,290 for Cape May, $374,490 for Cumberland, $608,190 for Essex, $334,463 for Gloucester, $608,190 for Hudson, $403,433 for Middlesex, $521,360 for Monmouth, $463,473 for Passaic, $314,450 for Salem, $394,503 for Somerset, and $304,095 for Union counties.
• Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, which was awarded $394,503 for Morris and $314,450 for Sussex counties.
• Prevention Resources, which was awarded $314,500 for Hunterdon County.
• The Mental Health Association of NJ, which was awarded $510,277 for Atlantic, $463,473 for Ocean counties, along with $304,095 for Union County that will specifically target the Hispanic population.
• The Rescue Mission of Trenton, which was awarded $529,747 for Mercer County.

“For individuals with substance use and mental health disorders, it’s essential to have access to supportive environments where they can receive compassionate care and be treated with dignity by individuals who themselves are in recovery. This additional funding will make these critical services available to additional underserved communities statewide,” said Deputy Commissioner for Health Services Valerie Mielke.

Funds will be used to enhance Community Wellness Centers by enabling competitive salaries for staff, expanding their reach into underserved areas, offering off-site services to expand the reach of the Centers, increasing support for vulnerable populations, providing comprehensive recovery and educational resources, improving health literacy, and providing disease prevention eduction.

Funds will also be used to offer transportation and life skills training and increase membership.  These investments aim to reduce social isolation, boost employment and education, and support overall positive outcomes for individuals with a serious mental illness or a co-occurring mental health and  substance use disorder. Providers will ensure that diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural and linguistic competence are a part of the services offered.

“This initiative represents Human Services’ longstanding commitment to ensuring those with a mental health diagnosis have access to support in the community,” said Assistant Commissioner Renee Burawski, who oversees the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. “New Jersey is proud of its commitment to help fund and support highly innovative and effective peer-based services, supports, and interventions for those with co-occuring substance use disorder.”

Commissioner Adelman reminds residents in need of mental health support to reach out for help through Human Services’ help lines.

Anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide or a mental health or substance use crisis can call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, which is free and available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. People can text to 988 and can chat 988 at 988lifeline.org/chat. 988 also offers TTY services.

Those with substance use disorder can call 1-844-ReachNJ – a 24-hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week help line.

Human Services also provides the NJMentalHealthCares helpline at 866-202-HELP (4357). The line can also be reached by texting NJHOPE to 51684.

Deaf and hard of hearing individuals fluent in American Sign Language can take advantage of a videophone mental health help line at 973-870-0677.

“Please don’t hesitate to call if you are or a loved one is in need,” Commissioner Adelman said. “We are here to help.”

 

The post NJ Human Services Awards $9 Million in Grants to Enhance Community Wellness Centers in all 21 Counties for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness first appeared on TrentonDaily.