TCCMO Newsletter

Partners

PerformCare

The Contracted System Administrator (CSA) for the Division of Children’s System of Care (CSOC) is PerformCare. In assisting CSOC by authorizing, tracking, and coordinating care and service outcomes for children, PerformCare serves as a source of information and referral to children and families over the phone. PerformCare enters a single electronic record for each child, and provides reporting and information technology in coordinating quality management. As a centralized referral center, clinical staff assess needs of the child and, as appropriate, will send out individuals to perform a needs assessment. Parents, family members, school employees, mental health providers, and other professionals helping children and families may contact PerformCare on behalf of a child or adolescent in need of a referral. However, the guardian of the child must give consent for services.

To Access PerformCare:

Call 1 (877) 652-7624 or visit their site. PerformCare staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When calling PerformCare, you will hear an automated voice system with the following choices:

  • If it is a life-threatening emergency, hang up and dial 911
  • If it is an emergency where your child or another person’s safety is at risk, Press 1
  • If you are a parent, legal guardian, or youth, Press 2
  • If you are a DCP&P worker or you are calling about a child involved with child welfare services, Press 3
  • If you are calling regarding Young Adult Independent Living available through the Adolescent Housing Hub, Press 4
  • If you are a provider, Press 5
  • To repeat menu of services, Press 0
  • If you need other services or you would like to speak to a Customer Service Representative, remain on the line. (The Customer Service Representative will ask a few questions to determine how they can best serve you and then transfer you to a PerformCare Coordinator.)

NJ Children’s System of Care

The System of Care Initiative adopted by the Division of Children’s System of Care (CSOC) in NJ has been developed through the combined efforts of families, providers, advocates, and other stakeholders across the state. It is based on the fundamental principle that children and families need child centered and family focused, culturally competent, community-based services that are flexible, managed, and coordinated as an organized system of care. The vision is to recreate the children’s service delivery system in New Jersey and increase access to effective clinical and social support services through an integrated system that enhances the integrity and quality of family and community life.

For more information on the NJ Division of Children’s System of Care, please visit the state of New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families.

NJCMO

All CMOs are a part of the New Jersey Children’s System of Care and they coordinate services and create plans tailored to every child’s individual needs and based on strengths of all team members involved, to positively impact the youth’s wellbeing. Ultimately, your CMO will aim to empower families with the voice, tools and support they need to be successful.

Family Support Organization

The Family Support Organization (FSO) of Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren is a private, non-profit organization of families helping other families. Comprised of parents/caregivers of children who suffer with behavioral, emotional, and/or mental health challenges, FSO staff provides support, education, and empowerment to other families traveling the same journey. Family Support Partners provide individual support to caregivers of children enrolled with Tri County CMO to become their child’s best advocate until such time as they have become full partners in the care and planning for their child.

FSO group activities (support groups, classes, presentations, workshops) are open to ALL families of such children in the community, regardless of CMO involvement. The FSO operates a Warm Line (9 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday), open to the entire community, for children’s mental health information, questions, referrals, or just to listen. The FSO is the only system partner that can be accessed directly at the number: (908) 213-9932.

Youth Partnership – Opportunities involving anti-stigma activities for 13-20 year olds!

Division of Child Protection & Permanency

The Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P) (formerly known as Division of Youth & Family Services) is the state’s comprehensive social service agency for children and families. DCP&P is required by state law to investigate reports of child abuse and neglect, and to take immediate action necessary to ensure the safety of the child. New Jersey’s Law states:

“Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused or neglected shall report it immediately to DYFS” (N.J.S.A. 9.6-8.10). To report child abuse in New Jersey, call 1 (877) 652-2873.

Mobile Response and Stabilization Services

Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) provides specially trained workers employing best practice crisis prevention and de-escalation skills. MRSS staff are dispatched to the crisis site within one hour of call with the goal of stabilizing behavior and maintaining children, ages 5-18, in their home. (Special consideration is given to children under age 5, as well as youth aged 18-21 who are actively involved with Child Welfare, Child Behavioral Health, or Juvenile Justice at the time of their 18th birthday.) De-escalation of the crisis is the immediate goal. Seventy-two hours of intensive support are offered, followed by additional referral and linkage services for up to eight weeks, to help the family maintain stabilization. To access MRSS, call the number 1 (877) 652-7624.

Family Crisis Intervention Unit

Family Crisis Intervention Unit (FCIU) serves children and families who are in crisis as a result of any or all of the following: juvenile-family conflicts, serious threat to the well-being and physical safety of a juvenile, runaway behavior, youth involved in human trafficking, or youth who are truant from school. Defusing and stabilizing juvenile/family crises may divert them from the family court system. Where there are child behavioral health issues, the FCIU will call PerformCare. FCIU serves as the coordinator and liaison between the family, the treatment community, and family court system. To access Hunterdon’s FCIU, call (908) 788-6401. To access Somerset’s FCIU, call (908) 704-6330. To access Warren’s FCIU, call (908) 454-5141.

Youth Services Commission

Youth Services Commission (YSC) is a legislatively-mandated body that plans, implements, monitors, and evaluates the juvenile justice system. It develops a comprehensive plan of sanctions and services for juveniles adjudicated or charged as delinquent, and delinquency prevention programs. Its mandated duties and responsibilities include assessing and prioritizing the needs of delinquent and at-risk youth, and coordinating and integrating services for youth 5-19 years of age.

To access Hunterdon’s YSC, call (908) 788-1372. To access Somerset’s YSC, call (908) 704-6333. To access Warren’s YSC, call (908) 475-6331.

Children’s Interagency Coordinating Councils

Children’s Interagency Coordinating Councils (CIACCs) are entities that foster cross-system service planning for children with behavioral health problems.

CIACCs serve as the mechanism to develop and maintain a responsive, accessible, and integrated system of care for children with special social and emotional needs and their families, through the involvement of parents, consumers, youth, and child serving agencies as partners.

To access Hunterdon CIACC, call (908) 782-7905. To access Somerset CIACC, call (908) 704-6356. To access Warren CIACC, call (908) 475-6331.

Partner Organizations, Resources, and Communities

How to Become Part of the Tri County CMO Provider Network

All agencies and community organizations are welcome to be a part of the network of care for Tri County CMO families and to participate in planning services such as clinical, educational, vocational, and residential, or to offer resources such as support groups, mentoring programs, and recreational programs that contribute to a family’s resiliency and stability in the community.

The first step in becoming part of our network of providers is learning about the roles and responsibilities of both Tri County CMO and your organization in a partnership. Our Provider Agreement defines the roles and responsibilities of each partner and seeks to enhance the quality of services for families while strengthening the relationship between providers and the community.

The second step is to contact us.

In addition, organizations can choose to become part of our Tri County ResourceNet independent of whether they become a contracted partner. If you are a provider of family services in New Jersey, you can extend your reach and increase the number of families you can help by becoming part of Tri County ResourceNet. The process is easy – simply access the ResourceNet, click the “Join” button on the home page, and then click “Submit a Resource”. Join today to give more children and families the benefit of your services and experience.

If you have questions about any information in this section, would like Tri County CMO to learn more about your organization, and/or are interested in becoming a contracted provider, contact our Community Resource Manager at (908) 526-3900 extension 120, or email info@tricountycmo.org.

To request or offer an agency presentation, please contact us.

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