We are proud to partner with the City of Asbury Park to assist the police department in accessing treatment for community members with opioid and other addictions.
Summary of Position: Provide Psychiatry evaluation and diagnostic testing under supervision of collaborative physician working in Monmouth County. A unique opportunity at varying locations, providing integrated care in Monmouth County. Specific Responsibilities:• Performs Psychiatry Evaluation under supervision of collaborative physician.• Works effectively with the full spectrum of diagnosis disorders.• Demonstrates clinical facility in psychotropic medication use, side effects and indications for psychiatric intervention, in children, adolescents (if a child prescriber) and adults.• Demonstrates ability to identify changes and precipitants in the status of maladaptive symptoms and level of functioning.• Drug utilization evaluation and monitoring shall be conducted by a qualified physician, pharmacist, or other professional with legal prescribing authority who is not immediately responsible for the prescribing process but able to provide feedback to the prescribing practitioner.• Ongoing training and education shall be a priority of pharmacotherapy professionals.• An initial review shall be taken as soon as the person enters services of all medications currently being taken and their efficacy, potential side effects, contraindications, and identification of alcohol and/or drug use by persons served.• An up-to-date individual record of all medications, including nonprescription and non-psychoactive medications, prescribed for and used by the person served including name of medication, dosage, frequency, instructions for use, and the prescribing professional shall be documented..• As appropriate, ongoing training and education regarding medication shall be provided to persons served, individuals and family members with legal right or identified by the persons served including dosage, administration, and potential adverse reactions.• The persons served, or their parents or guardians, when appropriate, shall be actively involved in making decisions related to the use of medications• Organizational policies and procedures shall be followed regarding continuity of pharmacotherapy, integration of medications into a person’s overall plan, and actions to follow in case of emergencies related to the use of medications• All policies and procedures related to pharmacotherapy and medication monitoring shall be implemented consistent with federal, state, or provincial laws and licensure requirements. Requirements: Master’s Degree inPsychiatric Nursing or a related mental health field APN License Bilingual a Plus Apply to: jobs@preferredbehavioral.org EOE
Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse Read More »
A story of the pain of addiction, the dedication to make a difference, and the beauty of love. Written by PBHG’s Kait McCarthy.
Channeling Grief into Action Read More »
This week, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office partnered with Preferred Behavioral Health Group and the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County. Click on title to read story.
Registration Is Now Open for October 4th Outing! Registration is now open for Preferred Behavioral Health Group’s annual golf outing at the exclusive Hollywood Golf Club in Deal. Golfers will be treated to a full day of lunch, golfing, course refreshments, dinner and awards reception with live entertainment. This year’s honoree is New Jersey Natural Gas. New Jersey Natural Gas has always been there as an advocate and leader in helping people in the local community. Because of their consistent and overwhelming generosity and kindness, we are so pleased to recognize them as our honoree this year. Mary Pat Angelini, Chief Executive Officer The proceeds of the event will help to provide support, assistance, and treatment for individuals challenged with mental illness, substance use disorders, and addiction. Golfing opportunities and sponsorships are available now. Register and learn more by clicking HERE. For more information, contact Judy Daniels at jdaniels@preferredbehavioral.org. Golf Committee Members: CHAIR: Justin Kolbenschlag, Esq. Grace Hanlon John Maldjian, Esq. Lynn Maurer Charles Melita Randy Minniear Russ Putterman Dr. Webster Trammell Stephen E. Trimboli, Esq.
2021 Golf Outing to Honor New Jersey Natural Gas. Read More »
“I began my journey into recovery like every other addict does: completely broken physically, mentally, spiritually, and financially. I was a wreck.” Raphael. Raphael began using alcohol and marijuana in high school in 2004. By the time he graduated, he was selling weed and using prescription drugs. He started and dropped out of college, found and lost jobs, got into debt, and continued his downward spiral. His first rehab came in October 2018, where he met his girlfriend. Relationships that start in rehab (“rehab romances”) frequently don’t end well, and Raphael’s romance was no exception. Both relapsed and spent months living and using together. In May of 2019, tragically, his girlfriend overdosed, and in his grief, Raphael sunk deep into his addiction. In the fall of 2019, Raphael found the inner strength to ask for help, entering rehab in Monmouth County, and completing treatment at a halfway house in Long Branch in May of 2020. While at the halfway house, he met Preferred Behavioral Health Group’s ’s Anthony Gambarony, a Case Manager for the STAR Program. STAR (Support Team for Addiction Recovery), funded through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, provides case management and recovery support services for individuals with opioid use disorders. In Raphael’s words, “The program has recovery coaches trained to engage and support individuals affected by substance abuse. While at the halfway house, STAR staff would drive me to NA/AA meetings, take me to get food afterwards, and regularly stop by or call in to check to see how I was doing.” When Raphael left the halfway house, he moved to the Phoenix Recovery Sober House in Asbury Park. The STAR staff continued to stay in contact with Raphael and the other residents of the sober house despite the difficulties that the pandemic brought. “They offered consultation services for those seeking to get back into school, needed help finding a job, or putting in a friendly word to the courts. We had ZOOM meetings, and even game nights to have some fun.” Raphael has known many people addicted to drugs and has lost those he loved. Today, he is grateful to be clean and sober and is looking forward to the future. He works as a fuel technician in a train terminal in Perth Amboy – and in the seven months he’s been there, he has received 2 raises and a promotion. He loves the stability of his job and the opportunity for growth. He is now mentoring and training new hires! Personally, he is strengthening his relationships with his family members, attends NA/AA meetings regularly, and is an avid writer. He finds the sober house a great fit for him in recovery and continues to live there. He has been journaling during his recovery and hopes to eventually publish his work. About the STAR program, Raphael says, “The staff are a blessing for individuals as myself, and I really hope they continue to provide this service to the next hopeless person suffering and seeking help.” For more information on the STAR program, contact Jean Hennon at jhennon@preferredbehavioral.org. ®Preferred Behavioral Health Group. April 21, 2021
Raphael’s Journey to Recovery Read More »
March 2021. Lakewood. Danielle Farrell, Coordinator for our PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) program, has been selected as the Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s first Behavioral Healthcare Hero for 2021! We are so glad to see Danielle getting this wonderful recognition for the work she does tirelessly every day! Here is the announcement from the Mental Health Association in New Jersey: The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is proud to announce that Danielle Farrell has been named the first Behavioral Healthcare Hero of 2021! Ms. Farrell has a BS in Psychology and works at Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG) in Lakewood, NJ. She is the PATH Coordinator and also operates the Food Pantry run by PBHG in affiliation with Fulfill, the food bank for Monmouth and Ocean counties. PATH is Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness and in this capacity, Ms. Farrell works directly with the local homeless population (consumers) to secure food, shelter and other necessities. Ms. Farrell was nominated by her supervisor, Donna Comerford, MSW/LCSW, Program Director of Residential and Homeless Services. She relayed that, “Danielle chooses to go out and help her people. She truly cares about her consumers. She shows up every day, no matter what, even a pandemic cannot stop her.” As the coordinator of PATH and the sole employee for this department Ms. Farrell has direct contact with consumers. Some of her clients have a mental health diagnosis or a substance-use disorder and/or a co-occurring diagnosis. Other clients may be in an IOP or attending outpatient services. A few may have unresolved criminal issues which requires her to find and link them to pro-bono lawyers. She works diligently to help them rectify credit issues, to reduce outstanding debt, or secure identification. “I provide community linkages to the client while also trying to provide permanent stable housing; that’s my ultimate goal,” stated Ms. Farrell. In addition, Ms. Farrell provides support and directs consumers to food stamps, job placement programs, temporary housing, re-entry programs, and social services. She even gladly drives consumers to appointments when necessary. “Danielle is a genuine, caring, empathetic person”, according to Ms. Comerford. “She has an awesome sense of humor which in our field and in life is vital.” As the pandemic shuttered most in-person services at mental health clinics throughout the state, and others began working remotely, Danielle chose to continue meeting people even though the personal contact became much more difficult and dangerous. Ms. Farrell has developed relationships over time that she was determined to maintain though some consumers have a difficult time trusting. She continued assisting her consumers by meeting them on street corners, in parks and even in their cars. Furthermore, she secured grants of thousands of dollars to operate the food pantry providing thousands of meals for clients in need during the crisis. Colleagues recount that anyone who knows Danielle, knows that she has always been a strong advocate and fighter for our consumers. When asked why she was attracted to this work she offhandedly replies, “I like engaging with people. I’m very social and I feel really good after being helpful.” Congratulations to Danielle Farrell! The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is proud to honor this dedicated professional. Her incredible courage, and compassion indicate her willingness to go to extraordinary measures to bring comfort to those individuals navigating homelessness, mental illness and other behavioral health concerns during this crisis.
PBHG’s Danielle Farrell Receives Behavioral Healthcare Hero Award Read More »
March 10, 2021. Lakewood. Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG) has been awarded a 2-year $4 million grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to expand and enhance services in Ocean and Monmouth counties. The grant will enable PBHG to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), joining 339 other programs throughout the United States. The funding is part of the federal Covid-19 relief package. “This pandemic has substantially increased the number of people in need of services. “The extended isolation and social distancing, family illness and loss, unemployment and under-employment, all have played a part in increased mental health and substance abuse challenges.” Mary Pat Angelini, Chief Executive Officer, PBHG Services will include crisis services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the care will be comprehensive, providing or linking people with the mental health, therapy, and physical health treatment as needed. “By having the resources to establish a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, we will not only expand and increase access to services but will integrate physical health care as well. People in need will have a case manager ensuring this coordinated care,” Angelini continued. “This model of care focuses on the whole person.” Preferred Behavioral Health Group has served the communities in Ocean and Monmouth counties for over 40 years, providing mental health and substance abuse education, prevention, support, and treatment.
Preferred Behavioral Health Group Receives Major Grant to Expand Services Read More »
February 2021. Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG) has earned the 2020 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar, a service of Candid. By sharing metrics that highlight progress PBHG is making toward its mission, the organization is helping donors move beyond simplistic ways of nonprofit evaluation such as overhead ratios. “One of our organization’s values is transparency and achieving this platinum level reinforces our commitment to being transparent about our work,” said PBHG Chief Executive Officer Mary Pat Angelini. “We are excited to share PBHG’s results in a user-friendly and highly visual manner. By updating our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile to the Platinum level, we can now easily share a wealth of up-to-date organizational metrics with our supporters as well as GuideStar’s online audience, which includes donors, grant-makers, our peers, and the media.” Mary Pat Angelini, CEO To reach the Platinum level, Preferred Behavioral Health Group added extensive information to its Nonprofit Profile on GuideStar: basic contact and organizational information; in-depth financial information; qualitative information about goals, strategies, and capabilities; and quantitative information about results and progress toward its mission. By taking the time to provide this information, PBHG has demonstrated its commitment to transparency and to giving donors and funders meaningful data to evaluate nonprofit performance. PBHG’s GuideStar profile can be found here: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/22-2196988
Preferred Behavioral Health Group reaches GuideStar’s Highest Seal of Transparency Read More »
January 20, 2021. Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG) is pleased to announce that Sandra Grebel of Point Pleasant has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Mental Health Services for Youth and Families. Grebel has served as Director of Intensive Community Services for children and families since 2017 and held various positions at PBHG since 1996. Ms. Grebel will now oversee all the children and family programs, including the Preferred Center for Children and Families outpatient center in Brick, and intensive adolescent, family visitation, foster care, school-based mental health services, youth prevention, crisis intervention programs, and others. “Sandy is a consummate, caring and dedicated professional who has received well-deserved awards and honors throughout her career. She is well respected by the staff and is, and will continue to be, a huge asset to this organization.” Mary Pat Angelini, CEO, Preferred Behavioral Health Group Ms. Grebel has also served as an adjunct professor in the Master of Social Work department at Monmouth University. Ms. Grebel holds an undergraduate degree in Music Therapy, is a Certified Addiction Specialist, attained a master’s degree in Social Work and is a licensed clinical social worker by the New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners. Preferred Behavioral Health Group is a non-profit organization that has served the community for over 40 years. PBHG provides mental health and substance abuse education, prevention, support, and treatment to over 30,000 children, adults, and seniors every year. For more information: www.preferredbehavioral.org.
Preferred Behavioral Health Group Announces New Vice President Read More »