New Jersey and Rutgers Launch the First of Five Planned Crisis Centers

The location in Newark marks a major expansion of the state's behavioral health infrastructure

The New Jersey Department of Human Services, in partnership with Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, opened the state's first Crisis Receiving Stabilization Center in Essex County.

As part of the 988 continuum of care, the Newark, N.J., center will offer a no-wrong-door access to crisis stabilization, meaning anyone in distress can go there and get immediate help, regardless of which department or agency they contact first.

The nonhospital center provides short-term (under 24 hours), community-based support for individuals experiencing suicidal, mental health or substance use crises.

Orange Estalilla, principal management assistant, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care; Rutgers University President William F. Tate IV; Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha; Frank A. Ghinassi, president and chief executive, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care; Carole Johnson, president and chief executive officer of University Hospital; and Joseph F. Vitale, Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee Legislative District 19.

"These centers grow the state's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline continuum of crisis services in New Jersey-someone to call, someone to respond and somewhere safe to go," said Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha. "This center represents years of dedication and careful planning to create a system that meets people where they are and helps stabilize crises before they escalate. The Newark center is the first of five planned locations throughout the state that aims to bring urgent, community-based behavioral health care directly to the people who need it most."

"We believe this new program will enhance access to care, provide a safe and inviting alternative to conventional hospital emergency rooms, and effectively help to stabilize individuals experiencing psychiatric crises," said Rutgers University President William F. Tate IV. "This more inviting and comfortable setting offers an opportunity to help reduce acute symptoms and enables warm handoffs, allowing for continuity of treatment and a return to more normalized community-based care and services. We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to serving individuals and families over the coming months and years."

The center, located in the Behavioral Health Sciences Building at 183 South Orange Ave., will welcome walk-ins, be a destination for Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teamsand other behavioral health crisis responders, as well individuals brought in by law enforcement and fire departments. It will be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a prescriber, registered nurse, clinician, behavioral health technician and peer recovery specialist. Services will be available to everyone, regardless of insurance, payer source or ability to pay.

"The 9-8-8 program has become a lifeline for thousands of New Jersey residents experiencing mental health or substance use crises," said Joseph F. Vitale, a state senator representing District 19 in Middlesex County. "The comprehensive system gives people the resources they need when they need them - specifically, someone to call, someone to respond and somewhere to go."

The center, which operates with state and federal funds, will assess individuals 18 years and older who are in a behavioral health crisis associated with either a mental health or substance use issue or both. Services provided are designed to alleviate the crisis, reduce symptoms, help restore the individual to a previous level of functioning and avoid more restrictive levels of treatment whenever possible. Center admission will be voluntary and those who enter may leave at any time unless determined to be a danger to self or others. If needed, the local Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services will be contacted to evaluate the individual for a higher level of care.

The center, located in the Behavioral Health Sciences Building at 183 South Orange Ave., is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a prescriber, registered nurse, clinician, behavioral health technician and peer recovery specialist.

The initiative will produce cost savings by mitigating the use of emergency rooms, as well as reduce police engagement, arrests, incarcerations and 911 calls.

"The opening of this center marks the launch of a critical new service for the people of New Jersey. The center offers a safe, comfortable and therapeutic haven for individuals experiencing acute behavioral health symptoms and periods of destabilization," said Frank A. Ghinassi, president and chief executive of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. "Through our partnership with the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, we are now able to provide a place where individuals can access care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We are grateful to be part of this new solution and are confident it will help to relieve the stresses on hospital emergency rooms in Essex County."

"At University Hospital, we applaud the launch of the 24/7 Essex County Crisis Receiving Stabilization Center, as we see first-hand the need for community resources to support people with mental health and substance use disorder who need community services," said Carole Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of University Hospital. "Thank you to our partners at Rutgers and to the New Jersey Department of Human Services for working with University Hospital to help to meet the needs of our community."

"These centers are a safe alternative for individuals in crisis, connecting people directly to care and support without relying on costly emergency rooms or unnecessary law enforcement involvement. By providing a community-based alternative, these centers can help reduce unnecessary ER visits and hospitalizations while ensuring people get the right level of care when they need it most," said Valerie Mielke, Deputy Commissioner for Health Services at the Department of Human Services. "We are proud to bring this impactful resource to the community, knowing it delivers timely support and connects individuals with the services they need."

The remaining four centerswill be located in Morris, Bergen, Monmouth/Middlesex and Camden counties.