Outreach Vehicle Expands Mental Health Care In Atlantic County

MAYS LANDING, NJ — Those in Atlantic County with substance use disorders will soon have a new way to receive help and support with AtlantiCare's new John Brooks Recovery Center (JBRC) Mobile Outreach Vehicle (MOV).

"This is a moment in the history of Atlantic County where all efforts are going to be in line to make sure that we care for the community," said Lori Herndon, MBA, BSN, RN, president and CEO of AtlantiCare, said at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the MOV debut.

"Through the vehicle, we will expand the care our compassionate JBRC team is already providing in the community," said Mike Santillo, director II, John Brooks Recovery Center, a member of AtlantiCare. "Our goal is to reach individuals where they are. By bringing care and services to them, we will enhance their access to the care, support, and other services they need and deserve."

The JBRC outreach team will consist of a physician or advanced practice nurse, a registered nurse, a behavioral health clinician dually licensed in social work and addictions counseling, two outreach coordinators with bachelor's degrees and two certified peer recovery specialists.

The MOV team will assist Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Galloway, Egg Harbor Township and Egg Harbor City.

They will travel to areas of high need and will blanket "hotspots" for substance use, overdose deaths and reversals, homelessness and infectious diseases. Focus will be on those facing disproportionate burdens of substance use and mental illness, including vulnerable populations such as low-income individuals and those facing homelessness.

"We focus on building healthy communities together," said Herndon. "We want to make a difference in all communities in all people’s lives. This is a great initiative to help us do so. We are grateful for our community partners and to our dedicated JBRC team."

The New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, provided $300,000 in grant funding for the vehicle through its Mobile Access to Medications Initiative. It will provide $750,000 in additional annual funding to support JBRC's mobile outreach efforts to increase access to medications, case management and care coordination services, and recovery support services to people with a substance use and/or mental health issue.