On Wednesday, June 8th the Care Plus NJ Foundation will be honoring Thomas Rosamilia for his work in behavioral health at the 18th Annual Courage Awards Gala at the Venetian in Garfield, NJ.
Rosamilia is currently on the Bergen Regional management team as Vice President of Behavioral Health Services, a position he has held since 2009. The Behavioral Health Services at Bergen Regional provide inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and addiction treatment to children, adolescents and adults.
“Bergen Regional has been one of our most important community partners,” remarked Joe Masciandaro, President and CEO at Care Plus NJ. “Tom is one of the good guys. He and his team work hard to help defenseless individuals in our community that are struggling with mental illness, from crisis intervention to community reintegration, and every important step in between.”
At a time when community-based Behavioral Health services are higher likelihood of harm of destabilization due to policy changes, it is imperative that organizations such as Care Plus NJ and Bergen Regional work together to preserve the safety-net for the most groups facing heightened harm. Rosamilia and the Behavioral Health Services team have been powerful allies, according to local leaders in the industry.
“The state recently changed funding to local Behavioral Health centers that will result in canceled programs,” explained Mary Ann Uzzi, Behavioral Health representative and Co-Chair of this year’s Courage Awards Gala. “That will only exacerbate the problems and create more desperately ill clients for Bergen Regional, as well as put an even heavier burden on local law enforcement, judicial system, and our jails.”
It is worth noting that the Behavioral Health Services extend beyond those with severe mental illness to also include those who are struggling with addiction. Upon the inception of his work at Bergen Regional, majority of the people entering detox were there for alcohol. However, as the local heroin epidemic gained momentum, Rosamilia and his team have been at the front lines of the battle.
Where behavioral health services had addressed many adult issues in the past, the present situation is demonstrating how the widespread problem is dominantly striking the youth of Bergen County. Experts say that drug and alcohol dependence strongly impacts each part of every community – from those who live lives of luxury, to those who call the streets their home.
“This work is not for the faint of heart,” continued Masciandaro. “People like Tom are local heroes who may not necessarily get recognized for all that they do. I am glad we can present him with this well-deserved honor.”
The Courage Awards Gala includes a cocktail hour, dinner, live and silent auctions, a 50/50 raffle and more. Attendees are expected from across the state, including local community partners, state representatives and supporters from the Northern New Jersey business community.
The Care Plus NJ Foundation is currently welcoming dinner guests. Individual tickets are available at $175 each, with full tables of 10 offered for $1,500. For more information, call 201-986-5070.
