Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. Announces Groundbreaking Partnership with Bergen County Sheriff’s Department

Lyndhurst, NJ (February 18, 2009) Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. (CBHCare) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Bergen County Sheriff's Department to provide educational support programs to families who have a loved one in the Bergen County jail system. According to Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire, families of inmates at the jail often lack a clear understanding of the services offered to inmates and their families at the jail, as well as the myriad community resources available. Often, mental illness and substance abuse are contributing factors to incarceration and are misunderstood and frightening issues for both families and inmates and can complicate access to services.

The major goal of the program is to provide education and support to families and to reduce the recidivism rate at the jail. Sheriff McGuire states, "This is the first program of its kind to be offered in the State of New Jersey. We are thrilled to be working with CBHCare to offer this service in Bergen County."

On February 2, 2009, Sheriff McGuire introduced the program to families attending the first educational workshop entitled, "Help Stop the Cycle." The program was led by Lara Zucker, MA, Program Coordinator of Bergen County's Intensive Family Support Services at CBHCare; Peter McCaffrey, LSW, a Co-Occurring Disorders Specialist at CBHCare; and Julie Dietch, LCSW, Mental Health Clinician at the Bergen County Jail.

Families who attended the workshop learned about substance abuse and enabling behaviors, mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and the importance of self-care for family members. The families had a very positive response to the first workshop, Lara Zucker, stated, "It was a wonderful turnout; the families are really looking forward to attending future workshops."

The program is held on the first Monday of the month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Bergen County Jail amphitheatre. Family members who would like to attend or who have questions about additional family support programs in Bergen County should contact Lara Zucker at (201) 646-0333.

Founded in 1969 in response to the critical need for counseling services in the community, CBHCare is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the highest quality of behavioral healthcare services to the people of New Jersey. Over the past 40 years, CBHCare has expanded its services to all ages - from children to seniors.

With treatment centers in Lyndhurst, Hackensack and River Edge, CBHCare offers quality mental health services including individual and family counseling; rehabilitation; alcohol and substance abuse treatment; the Valley Brook Center for Geriatric Partial Care; residential, and preventive services - making CBHCare one of the most vital and important healthcare resources in northern New Jersey.

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