On March 11, 2015 Care Plus NJ, Inc. (“CarePlus”) and Turning Point, Inc. officially launched their Partnership in Recovery with a symbolic “Ribbon Tying” event at the CarePlus Headquarters in Paramus. The Partnership consists of a compilation of “Turning Point at CarePlus” programs created to serve adolescents and adults who are experiencing issues with both substance use and their mental health.
Often times those with co-occurring substance use and mental health issues get lost between the cracks because they don’t know how to access appropriate care. With the new partnership, there is no wrong door. Those in need of services are encouraged to call CarePlus admissions (201-986-5000), however they can contact either organization and will be directed to the appropriate care.
“We found that we were stretched,” Joe Masciandaro, CEO of CarePlus, explained at the start of the event. “When people have a problem, they may not necessarily go through the right door.”
With Turning Point’s specialty in substance use treatment and recovery, CarePlus will be able to offer more comprehensive services to existing clients. Likewise, Turning Point is able to offer new services for adolescents because of the expertise CarePlus has in working with families and children.
“There is a synergistic effect when two people work together to bring the best of what they are,” commented Pat White, Vice President of Clinical Services at Turning Point, “with the establishment of this partnership, lives can be saved.”
White went on to highlight a few historical partnerships that forever altered the sense of what is possible, including Louis and Clark’s expedition, as well as the flight of the Wright Brothers.
“At a time when addiction and mental health agencies were competing for new grants and funding opportunities, Turning Point and CarePlus were cultivating this collaboration that enables each program to continue to deliver the highest quality of services to the most complex clients within its area of expertise,” said Chris Barton, Acting CEO of Turning Point. “Together we can do more, and do it better, than either of our programs could have done alone.”
By capitalizing on the strengths of each other, both organizations are benefiting. More importantly, it is the individuals and families that they serve that will benefit the most.
“At the age when I started [using substances] I didn’t realize I had a problem,” began a client of Turning Point at CarePlus. “I didn’t know I had an addiction, and I didn’t know that it was a disease.”
In a manifesto of her experience with substance use disorder, she went on to explain how addiction does not discriminate, it can affect anybody regardless of race, social class, religion, or age.
“I want to help other addicts who are suffering,” concluded the client in her statement. She shared that it is a long journey through recovery, and without agencies like CarePlus and Turning Point, she would be lost. Thanks to these services she has learned how to cope and thrive in daily life, and is motivated to help others do the same.
The wide range of new services to treat mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders offered through the partnership includes family therapy, which is critical in an individual’s recovery. By educating the family, the individual has a better chance of creating a strong support system that understands the intensity of the disease.
Guests at the event were given blue and green “awareness ribbons” to wear, representing each of the organizations. In addition, attendees were provided with informational packets consisting of program information and resources that Turning Point at CarePlus provides.
(Left to right) Tara Augustine, VP of Children and Family Services at CarePlus; Roberta Braneck, Director of Outpatient and Marketing at Turning Point; Joe Masciandaro, CEO at CarePlus; Chris Barton, CEO at Turning Point; Pat White, VP of Clinical Services at Turning Point; and Katherine Coleman, Outpatient Program Coordinator for Turning Point at CarePlus.
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.
