History

CarePlus NJ 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.

1978

Care Plus New Jersey Established

CarePlus NJ, Inc. was established as Mid-Bergen Community Mental Health Center to provide “high quality, low cost” mental health services.

1978-1981

Became a National Institute of Mental Health grantee to deliver high quality service to those with serious and persistent mental illness.

1988

Joseph Masciandaro at Dedication Ceremony 610 Valley Health Plaza

Developed the Psychiatric Emergency Screening Program for Bergen County, which provides 24/7 crisis intervention and screening services.

1990-1995

Began specialized programming for dually diagnosed individuals suffering from substance abuse and mental illness.

1998

Merged with the Fair Lawn Mental Health Center to expand geographic reach and children's services, under the umbrella of the newly named Care Plus NJ, Inc.

2001

Services for children and youth grew significantly with the addition of the statewide Adoption House program and the designation as the Children's Mobile Response and Stabilization System in Bergen County.

2006-2008

A new social enterprise, CarePlus Workforce Solutions, was created to employ individuals with mental and physical disabilities.

2009

Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration | Care Plus NJ

CarePlus NJ was one of 13 organizations selected nationally by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as part of the first cohort to receive four-year funding for Integrated Primary and Behavioral Health Care Services.

2015

Designated New Jersey's first certified Behavioral Health Home to ensure primary, behavioral health, and social service needs were met for adults with Medicaid.

2016

Played an integral role in the Bergen County accomplishments of ending Veteran homelessness and chronic homelessness, in conjunction with the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center.

2017

The newly created entity, CarePlus Bergen, was awarded operational management of the former Bergen Regional Medical Center, with partnership from Integrity House and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

2017

Designated as one of only seven Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in New Jersey to provide integrated, holistic care through the CCBHC demonstration project launch.

2018

Opened Paradigm Therapeutic Day School, a New Jersey Department of Education-approved private school for students ages 12-21.

2019

CarePlus is selected to participate in the statewide Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Demonstration Project, and certified as a CCBHC.

2020

CarePlus NJ and NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy celebrate ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate opening of its Maternal and Family Center

2022

President, CEO, and CarePlus NJ Founder Joe Masciandaro retires from the organization after more than four decades of leadership. Brigitte Johnson, Esq., in-house counsel and Executive Senior Vice President, is selected to serve as our new CEO and President.