Program Overview

Program/Practice Name: Work First New Jersey Substance Abuse Initiative/Behavioral Health Initiative (WFNJ–SAI/BHI)

Agency Name: National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of New Jersey (NCADD–NJ)

Contact Information:
Annette Riordan, Psy.D.
of Transitional Services Unit, NJDHS Division of Family Development (DFD)
6 Quakerbridge Plaza P.O. Box 716
Hamilton, NJ 08619
Fax:609-631-4541

Type of Program/Practice: The WFNJ–SAI/BHI program is based on managed care principles. SAI/BHI provides independent assessment and case management to augment treatment, a continuum of services, and fee-for-service reimbursement to treatment providers. Care coordinators work to provide coordinated care to welfare recipients with substance abuse and/or mental health disorders. The primary goals of the program are to treat substance abuse and/or mental health as barriers to employment, ensure uniform assessment, decrease fragmentation of treatment services among providers offering various levels of care, and maintain and utilize a continuum of treatment services integrated with work activities. Clients unable to work due to severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) are medically deferred from work activities and assisted in applying for Social Security Income (SSI).