Princeton To Partner With Catholic Charities To Offer Mental Health, Addiction Services

PRINCETON, NJ – Beginning January 2024, the Municipality will partner with Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, to provide mental health and addiction services to the community.

The organization will take over as provider of these services from Corner House Behavioral Health, with which the Municipality has had a close relationship for the past 50 years.

“This decision was made through a careful evaluation of the paradigm shift in behavioral health treatment toward the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) standard; while also considering other factors, such as the expressed need from the public for expanded mental health services within the Municipality,” the Health Department said.

After extensive research and re-evaluation of the program, the Municipality determined that the market alternative, Catholic Charities, was better suited to deliver the same quality of care for a wider range of services to more Princeton residents than Corner House Behavioral Health.

“By directly connecting patients to the CCBHC network, whose activities are largely funded by federal and state grants and offer low-to-no-cost services, they will receive a more comprehensive and coordinated spectrum of care, beyond substance use and mental health,” the Health Department said in a news release.

“This transition demonstrates the Council’s deep commitment to prudent oversight of taxpayer dollars, with a net savings of half a million dollars annually, while expanding and improving services for Princeton’s most vulnerable residents.”

Catholic Charities has been certified by New Jersey as one of Mercer County’s CCBHCs. This demonstrates that they meet an industry standard of best practices concerning the timeliness of care provision, the range of services provided, and access to 24/7 crisis services.

CCBHCs also help people coordinate care across different systems, such as physical health care and social services, ensuring patients receive holistic care quickly and do not need to navigate multiple care providers to meet their behavioral health needs.

“Tapping into the CCBHC network via Catholic Charities will allow Princeton to align its programs with cutting-edge behavioral health best practices,” the Health Department said.

“Our goal remains steadfast: to preserve and enhance mental health services for Princeton residents. The Municipality will continue to strengthen and support Corner House’s Prevention platform by increasing the Corner House Prevention Team’s youth programming in conjunction with programs offered under Health and Human Services. Outreach to the vulnerable adolescent community will be increased and expanded.”

The Municipality said it “appreciates the unwavering commitment and dedication of Corner House” staff and affiliates and looks forward to continuing this collaborative partnership.

Princeton is currently working to ensure there are no gaps in care for existing patients as this transition occurs.

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