
Key points:
- Each group received $120,000
- Human Services seeks to widen treatment available for Garden State players
New Jersey Human Services has awarded $720,000 in contracts to expand gambling disorder treatment options for Garden State players.
Legacy Treatment Services in Atlantic County, Legacy Treatment Services in Burlington County, Legacy Treatment Services in Camden County, Integrity Inc. in Essex County, Monmouth Medical Center in Monmouth County and Eva’s Village, Inc. in Passaic County all received $120,000 each from Human Services.
“We continue to work to expand access to treatment because we know recovery is possible with adequate support. These providers will now be able to deliver more comprehensive care, and offer support and resources to individuals in need of gambling disorder services, so they can rebuild their lives,” said Assistant Commissioner Renee Burawski.
Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman explained the department’s motivation for expanding mental health services.
She commented, “More than 90 percent of individuals with gambling disorders have a co-occurring behavioral health need, and the impact of these challenges affects families, workplaces, and our communities.
“Through these provider partnerships we will widen the availability of mental health and substance use disorder providers in the state who also have the expertise to identify and treat gambling disorders.”
Providers receiving the funds will use those to hire at least one full-time gambling disorder clinician. The new staff will offer case management and treatment services to those with a gambling disorder.
Treatment options will include access to individual, group and family therapy sessions.
Deputy Commissioner for Health Services Valerie Mielke said, “This is about working more efficiently to reach people struggling with addiction.
“By integrating gambling disorder services, we hope to bring co-occurring gambling disorder into the mental health and substance use disorder treatment network, so more people can get the services they need to support their recovery.”