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Commissioner Announces $12.2M Grant to Fight Addiction

Money will expand services, increase options

TRENTON – New Jersey has received a $12.2 federal grant to expand options for addiction treatment over the next three years, Commissioner James M. Davy announced yesterday.

The Department's Division of Addiction Services will use the funds to create the New Jersey Access Initiative, a voucher program that will provide choice and increase outpatient treatment capacity, expand day programs and provide patients with wrap-around services, such as shelter and transportation.

Noting that the program is for people who lack health insurance or are medically indigent, Commissioner Davy said, “Too many people who want to kick an addiction can't afford some of the treatment services that could help them.”

“Money should not be a factor when it comes to saving and restoring lives,” he said.

“This will allow us to broaden the range of treatment options and reduce waiting lists for treatment services,” Commissioner Davy said.

This is the first time in 12 years that New Jersey has received this type of federal funding,” said Assistant Commissioner Carolann Kane-Cavaiola, who heads the Department's Division of Addiction Services. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Although the Commissioner said he was hoping that the state would receive the entire $30 million it requested so it could establish the program statewide, he said he is grateful that

New Jersey was one of 14 states and the only one in the Tri-State area selected to receive the grant money. The initiative will be launched in the target areas of Trenton , Newark and Camden .

The state will receive approximately $4 million a year for each of the three years.

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“There are people who want help who are on waiting lists and are being turned away,” Assistant Commissioner Cavaiola said. “Now we know through this program, we can offer at least 700 of these people a year a full complement of treatment services.''

The voucher program in New Jersey will give priority to people who use heroin or other opiates, or who have had repeated treatment failures in the past.

The New Jersey Access Initiative represents a coordinated approach with the Department of State's Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, the Department of Human Services Office of External Relations and Constituent Affairs, the existing Addictions Hotline of New Jersey, an existing faith-based collaborative known as Bridge to Recovery, and Friends of Addiction Recovery-New Jersey. The Center for Family for Services will serve as the administrative lead agency for the program.

The initiative will consist of a network of service providers, including faith-based organizations, licensed substance abuse treatment programs, recovery ministries, social service agencies, shelters, and other services that support those receiving treatment.

“ New Jersey is broadening the range of options, enhancing freedom of choice between traditional and nontraditional programs,” Davy said.

Prospective clients who call the New Jersey Addictions Hotline (1-800-238-2333) will be screened and, if eligible, issued vouchers for a variety of services, including assessment, motivational counseling, urgent and/or recovery support services, treatment and recovery case management.

In April, as part of the sweeping Child Welfare Reform Plan, Governor James E. McGreevey signed an executive order moving the Division of Addiction Services from the state Department of Health and Senior Services to the Department of Human Services.

The New Jersey Access Initiative program is expected to be operational in late fall or early winter.

For information, call Vicki Fresolone at 609-777-2164.

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