Care Plus NJ Awarded $2 Million Grant

Care Plus NJ is 1 of 13 Agencies Nationwide to be Awarded $2 Million Grant to Create Integrated Healthcare Solution

The statistics are astounding. People living with serious mental illnesses are dying 25 year earlier than the rest of the population. This is due in large part to unmanaged physical health conditions including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease. Additionally, 3 out of every 5 persons with serious mental illnesses die due to a preventable health condition.

“These are troubling trends in our adult seriously mentally ill population,” states Joe Masciandaro, President and CEO of Care Plus NJ. “Additionally, chronic health conditions are significant barriers to the achievement of recovery for individuals struggling with serious mental illness.”

Health factors are compounded by other noteworthy issues. Many individuals served by the mental health system are unable to access primary care settings due to coverage issues (i.e., lack of providers accepting Medicaid), stigma, lack of transportation and the difficulties of fitting into the fast-paced visit model of primary care. The consumer’s lifestyles, often identified with poor nutrition, lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, alcohol use and history of taking psychotropic medications also contributes to the equation.

So critical is resolving this problem that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded $25.9 million to 13 organizations nationwide to facilitate the development and implementation of primary and behavioral health care integration programs. Care Plus NJ is one of recipients and will receive $2 million over the four years in support of this important initiative.

Care Plus NJ ‘s innovative approach to Integrated Primary and Behavioral Health Care Services promotes physical and behavioral wellness by taking action to prevent and reduce early mortality. With this approach, care is coordinated and integrated across all elements of the healthcare spectrum and addresses patient’s needs from a physical and behavioral perspective through a team of medical and behavioral health professionals. The comprehensive program provides access to basic healthcare, behavioral healthcare, management of chronic health conditions and programs promoting healthy lifestyles.

The services are located at Care Plus NJ’s main facility at 610 Valley Health Plaza in Paramus. For further information call Kathleen Bianco, Project Director at (201) 265-8200.

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Care Plus NJ, Inc. is a non-profit local community mental health center with primary offices in Paramus, Fair Lawn and Montclair. Over 20,000 individuals receive services through our diverse programming that helps individuals achieve their wellness and recovery goals. For additional information about Care Plus NJ, visit our website at www.careplusnj.org.

Caption for photo: Care Plus NJ Team (L to R) Marci Kerben, Kathy Bianco, Nancy Cruz, Katelyn Andersen, Lorna Gazic, Renee Pedersen, Kathleen Boyle