At the heart of meaningful community change are the people who show up with compassion, courage, and a commitment to service. On May 14, 2025, several CarePlus NJ professionals were honored during the Englewood Police Department’s Awards Night for exactly that — their life-saving work in mental health crisis intervention and their exceptional partnership with local law enforcement through the ARRIVE Together program.
Honoring Heroic Action in Crisis Response
Abraham Hache, Program Manager for ARRIVE Together at CarePlus NJ, received the prestigious Exceptional Merit Citation for his bravery and de-escalation skills during a high-risk incident involving a person armed with a knife. Thanks to Hache’s expert intervention, the individual was safely guided toward support for mental health services — without a single arrest.
Since joining the Englewood ARRIVE Together team in October 2023, Hache has brought an unwavering commitment to nonviolent, compassionate crisis response. His presence has not only led to safer outcomes but has also strengthened trust between the community and those responding to emergencies. Hache received this honor alongside Deputy Chief Matthew de la Rosa, symbolizing the seamless collaboration between mental health professionals and law enforcement officers.
Leaders Behind the Program’s Success
CarePlus NJ’s impact doesn’t stop at individual calls. The organization’s leadership was also celebrated for their role in launching and guiding the ARRIVE Together initiative. Senior Vice President and Bergen County CIT Mental Health Coordinator Amie Del Sordo, Vice President Lisa Montuore, and Hache were awarded the Raymond J. Greely Chief’s Award — a powerful acknowledgment of their vision, leadership, and dedication to improving crisis response in Englewood.
The ARRIVE Together program is a model of proactive community care, pairing trained police officers with mental health professionals to respond jointly to behavioral health emergencies. This approach ensures that individuals in crisis are met with empathy and support, not handcuffs.
Meet the Award Recipients
Senior Vice President and Bergen County CIT Mental Health Coordinator Amie Del Sordo
Amie Del Sordo brings visionary leadership and deep clinical expertise to her role as Senior Vice President at CarePlus New Jersey. As the Bergen County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Mental Health Coordinator, she has been instrumental in strengthening the bridge between mental health services and law enforcement. Through her tireless advocacy and strategic oversight, Del Sordo has played a key role in the successful expansion of the ARRIVE Together program, helping to ensure that individuals in crisis are met with compassionate, trauma-informed care and helpful resources.
Vice President Lisa Montuore
As Vice President at CarePlus New Jersey, Lisa Montuore is a driving force behind the organization’s innovative programming and interagency collaboration. With a strong background in behavioral health administration, Montuore is known for her commitment to person-centered care and her ability to bring community stakeholders together to support sustainable crisis response solutions. Her leadership has been pivotal in advancing CarePlus NJ’s mission and amplifying the impact of initiatives like ARRIVE Together throughout northern New Jersey.
Abraham Hache, Program Manager for ARRIVE Together
Abraham Hache serves as the Program Manager for ARRIVE Together at CarePlus New Jersey, where he plays a front-line role in responding to mental health emergencies with skill, empathy, and professionalism. Since joining the Englewood Police Department’s ARRIVE Together team, Hache has been recognized for his ability to safely de-escalate complex situations and connect individuals in crisis to essential services—without resorting to arrest. His hands-on work in the field exemplifies the powerful impact of pairing law enforcement with mental health professionals to improve community outcomes.
A Message from CarePlus Leadership
“We are incredibly proud of our team and grateful for the strong partnership with the Englewood Police Department,” said Brigitte Johnson, President and CEO of CarePlus NJ. “These awards underscore the importance of compassionate crisis intervention and the power of collaboration in keeping our communities safe.”
About CarePlus NJ
CarePlus NJ is a nonprofit organization at the forefront of integrated care — providing mental health, substance abuse, substance use disorder, local crisis lifeline partnerships, and primary health services to both adults and children across northern New Jersey. As one of the nation’s first Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, CarePlus NJ is dedicated to delivering inclusive, high-quality care regardless of diagnosis or insurance status.
With more than 80 programs and nearly 14,000 individuals served annually, the organization works tirelessly to break down barriers to care and improve the lives of those they serve.
For more information on CarePlus NJ and its programs, visit www.careplusnj.org.
CarePlus NJ, INC. is dedicated to excellence in mental healthcare and has a commitment to life-long support needed by individuals and their families to ensure that they achieve their full potential and improve the quality of their lives.
