BERGEN OKS $1.5M FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Mental health programs in Bergen County will receive a nearly $1.5 million funding boost as the result of county freeholder action Wednesday.

The affected health programs include outreach, post-detoxification treatment and various counseling services.

The freeholders voted 5-0, with two absentees, to increase the funding. Eleven programs will receive a total of $1.46 million in county funds, a 15 percent increase over the past two years from 2014 funding levels of $1.27 million.

The issue of adequate funding for such programs had sparked an outcry by residents in 2012, when officials considered cutting funding by a quarter. Judy Banes, a social worker in the mental health field for more than 40 years, thanked the freeholders during the meeting for their support.

"I appreciate, on behalf of people who have mental illness, the time you've put into helping to be sure that Bergen County has the resources to care for folks," Banes said.

Freeholder Tracy Zur in turn applauded the work of the groups and the county's mental health division in addressing issues locally. "We know how trying it can be for families and individuals who face mental illness, and we know the need for these services has never been greater," Zur said.

She said adequate funding was "crucial" for people and families who face mental health challenges.

The bulk of the money, $1.3 million, will go to four agencies: Vantage Healthcare System, Care Plus NJ Inc., Comprehensive Behavioral Health and West Bergen Mental Healthcare. The agencies provide mental health counseling services at local offices.

CarePlus President and CEO Joseph Masciandaro said one of the crucial services that the $341,000 his non-profit organization receives will support is post-detoxification inpatient services for people addicted to opioids. Without those treatments, Masciandaro said, "sustained success" for recovering addicts is difficult.

Also, for the second year, the county is trying to start a hoarding-response team that would partner with a cleaning company and mental health counseling provider to work with residents who have hoarding problems and face likely eviction from their homes, said Michele Hart-Laughlin, county mental health administrator.

The concept aims to have counselors visit homes to treat such residents, as those with hoarding issues often have trouble seeking help because of their condition, she said.

Freeholders approved for the first time $30,000 last year for the program and have increased that by $600 in this year's approval.

But, Hart-Laughlin said, private providers told her that the amount wasn't enough to cover the number of cases she had proposed.

Hoarding cleanups alone can sometimes cost tens of thousands of dollars, she said.

The target this year is to scale back the number of cases to one and see if the program can help an individual in public housing with this condition who faces eviction. Hart-Laughlin said she hopes to build off of that anticipated success and look for more money next year.

One of the members of an organization receiving money in the lower dollar figure range -- Stigma Free of Bergen County -- is no less grateful for its allocation -- $10,200, a slight bump of $200 over last year.

Mary Ann Uzzi helped start the Stigma Free initiative in Paramus, which has branched out to 43 municipalities in Bergen County since its founding three years ago.

The group brings together officials and residents in communities, from police to human services, elected officials and concerned neighbors, to bring awareness and acceptance of those with mental health issues.

"It's just been a fascinating journey, because every person we talk to just jumped right onboard," Uzzi said.

The money pays for program materials, events and training. This year, the organization hopes to add mental health first-aid training for youth to their program.

Freeholder Chairman Steve Tanelli said he was proud of the support the county has had for mental health initiatives.

"Eliminating the stigma associated with it and increasing awareness is an important step in tackling this disease as a community," Tanelli said.