Children & Family Services / Teens & Young Adult services

about NJ4S COMPASS By
Preferred Behavioral Health Group

COMPASS by Preferred Behavioral Health Group is a local program serving Ocean and Monmouth Counties under the umbrella of New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S). NJ4S is a new statewide initiative from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF), and was designed to enhance access for students to prevention and mental health screening services. Programs support public and charter school students and caregivers in Monmouth and Ocean Counties at no cost. NJ4S does not duplicate or replace existing programs and services already being operated in schools or by other organizations. Tiered levels of services are available, but a referral from school personnel is required to access Tier 2 and 3 services. Additional information on the NJ4S program tiers can be found on the NJ4S Monmouth County Programs page.

NJ4S is staffed by prevention consultants and licensed clinicians. Staff will go to schools and community sites, including local libraries, religious institutions, and youth centers, to deliver an array of services virtually or in person. Service selection and delivery utilizes prevention science and evidence-based programming selected by an Advisory Group consisting of community providers, school officials, parents, and youth. NJ4S staff will also serve as connectors and referral sources to other community programs and services for students and their caregivers.

NJ4S COMPASS maintains a collaborative consultation with the nationally recognized prevention science experts Partnership To End Addiction to design and fully implement prevention programs to local Ocean-Monmouth youth, families, and schools that will be based on evidence-based practices and research informed information, while maintaining a person-centered approach to service delivery. 

The NJ4S prevention focus includes these core service areas: 

  • Bullying and Violence Prevention
  • Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
  • Substance Use Prevention 
  • Sexual Health and Pregnancy Prevention
prevention first

Primary Goals

NJ4S Network

Program Director: Liza I. DeJesus

LDeJesus@preferredbehavioral.org

Reach Out

For additional information on NJ4S services, please call 732-961-4354 or submit the contact us form below. 

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