N.J. DMHAS awards CarePlus $1M+ for addiction recovery support services

CarePlus NJ Inc. announced Monday the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services has awarded it more than $1 million in grant funding to provide addiction recovery related services to individuals with opioid use disorder in three North Jersey counties.

The funding was distributed through the Support Team for Addiction Recovery program in which DMHAS is expanding throughout New Jersey, CarePlus said.

Since 2017, Paramus-based CarePlus said it has supported the Bergen County STAR program by providing case management support. The STAR program was developed by the DMHAS to address the high rates of recidivism and relapse among individuals who cycle in and out of treatment for opioid use disorder by removing barriers to care, increasing access to treatment, addressing gaps in social support services and reducing opioid overdose related deaths.

The funding will allow CarePlus to provide a full spectrum of STAR services in Passaic, Morris and Warren counties, including both case management and peer recovery support, it said.

“The lives of countless individuals coping with opioid use disorder will be changed through the expanded funding and further implementation of the STAR program,” Joseph Masciandaro, CEO and president at CarePlus, said. “This initiative will help us substantially increase the volume of vital addition recovery support services we are able to provide to the surrounding community and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those afflicted with this disease.”

CarePlus said it will also provide case managers and recovery specialist to ensure individuals receive the support they need to reach their recovery goals.