Department of Human Services | Division of Addiction Services Awards $1.6 Million in Safety Contracts to Substance Abuse Centers

222 South Warren Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
Contact: Suzanne Esterman
(609) 292-3703
RELEASE: May 15, 2007

Division of Addiction Services Awards $1.6 Million in Safety Contracts to Substance Abuse Centers

TRENTON - The Division of Addiction Services (DAS) recently awarded $1.6 million in contracts to 10 substance abuse treatment centers in the state to address life and safety issues and make the buildings more accessible to persons with disabilities, DHS Acting Commissioner Jennifer Velez announced today.

Many of the newly awarded contracts will be spent to update and install fire suppression and heating systems, fire escapes, staircase and porch railings, ramps, and elevators, correct minor structural problems and replace windows and inoperable appliances.

“It is extremely important that we maintain existing treatment centers so that our consumers have access to the services they need,” said Commissioner Velez, who also noted that the contracts were recently awarded after an open, competitive bidding process.

DAS director Raquel Jeffers , who was assigned to head the division in July, said some of the improvements to be made with the new grants are necessary to keep the buildings structurally sound while others are needed to bring the buildings in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The ten agencies receiving grants were notified of their awards last month. Contract negotiations are being finalized, and some agencies have already begun the projects. Awards ranged from $25,000 to $325,000.

The recipients were chosen from among 24 applicants. Awards were chosen based on eligibility, a scoring process and the availability of funds.

The ten recipients are: Bergen County Community Action Partnership, Inc. of Hackensack; Northeast Life Skills Associations of Passaic; Sikora Center of Camden; Eva's Village of Paterson; Good News Home for Women of Flemington; COPE Center, Inc. of Montclair; Damon House, Inc. of New Brunswick; Straight and Narrow Inc. of Paterson; Institute for Human Development of Atlantic City; and Integrity House of Newark.

The following are among the improvements to be funded through the grants:

Bergen County Community Action Partnership in Hackensack, $76,255, to replace the fire sprinkler, carbon monoxide and smoke detector systems; renovate the first-floor bathroom; enlarge three doors to make them more accessible to persons with disabilities; and update the baseboard heating system.

Northeast Life Skills Associates, Inc. in Passaic , $29,770, to buy rooftop heating and air conditioning system, replace sidewalk, parking lot gate and fence, replace carpet

Sikora Center in Camden, $91,146, to replace windows, tile, exterior doors and hardware, parts of ramp, relocate guardrail, upgrade roof and heating, ventilation and air conditioning,

Eva's Village in Paterson , $25,429 to renovate the fire suppression system and expand the fire alarm system

Good News Home for women in Flemington, $143,500, to add a first floor bathroom for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance; install fire suppression system

COPE Center, Inc. in Montclair, $294,422 to build rooms, rest rooms, storage and file space and front and rear doors, install heating and air conditioning, security and fire protection systems and emergency lighting.

Damon House Inc. of New Brunswick, $300,000 to install exterior elevator, expand laundry room, renovate first-floor bathroom, make another bathroom ADA compliant, install guardrail, install room dividers and electrical receptacles

Straight and Narrow, Inc. in Paterson, $200,000 to demolish and renovate bathrooms and laundry, install emergency paging system, replace concrete steps, install handrail, replace stairs and risers, replace missing tiles, locks.

Institute for Human Development in Atlantic City , $76,984 to replace heating furnace, buy new mattresses, replace some windows

Integrity House in Newark, $323,719 to install sprinkler system, modify fire alarm system, install entrance ramp, make bathroom ADA compliant, replace staircase and roofing, reconstruct bay window, repair masonry, install new staircase, reconfigure second and third floors to accommodate wider stairs, construct paved parking lot and renovate power and lighting system.