SPOTLIGHT: Rockaway, NJ Affiliate’s HOPE ONE Project

HOPE ONE is a collaborative project between CARES (Center for Addiction Recovery Education & Success, a program of the Morris County Prevention is Key) Morris County Sheriff, the Morris County Department of Human Services, and the Morris County Mental Health Association.

It is the first of its kind in New Jersey. HOPE ONE is a repurposed tactical vehicle that serves as a mobile recovery center for Morris County. On board HOPE ONE are a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, a Mental Health Professional and a plain-clothed Sheriff’s Officer.

On Mondays and Thursdays, HOPE ONE sets up in a predesignated community in the county. Locations are publicized in advance so people know HOPE ONE will be in their community that day. Staff provides support services to anyone seeking assistance for either themselves or a loved one who has a substance use or mental health disorder. The approach is simple; it starts with a conversation. The person is asked, “How can we help you”? Peer Recovery Specialists use motivational interviewing and active listening to help connect people to what they need. People are met “where they are” and because of this, there is success in helping them.

CARES is built on best practice from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration’s recommendations for recovery and recovery support, including the four dimensions that support a life in recovery: home, health, community and purpose.

Individuals who visit HOPE ONE have access to the following services at each of its two recovery centers:

• Referral to appropriate levels of treatment;
• Employment services and job training; CARES is currently working with Work First to help clients meet their required job search hours, hired volunteers under the NJ Department of Labor On The Job Training Program and the NJ Department of Labor, Division of Workforce Development to train the Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Credential.
• Linkages to other services--CARES refers people to service providers for help with such needs as food stamps, housing assistance, and other services;
• Childcare--CARES provides care for children of individuals on an as needed basis;
• Family Education--CARES offers the DMHAS funded evidence based Strengthening Families Program;
• Peer to Peer services--CARES volunteers provide mentoring and coaching as well as Telephone Recovery Support (TRS);
• Self- help and support groups--Mutual aid groups such as AA, NA, Al-Anon, S.T.O.N.E.S. (Sharing Together on Nothing Except Steps) and All Recovery are held at the center;
• Life Skills--CARES offers evidence-based programs, including “Life Skills,” "Curriculum Based Support Group" (CBSG), "Achieving Personal Balance" and "Footprints for Life" that are tailored to meet the individualized needs and functioning levels of each individual;
• Parent Education--CARES offers the Office of Juvenile Justice-recommended Active Parenting series;
• Transportation to and from Recovery Support Activities--CARES provides information about various paratransit systems and provides vouchers for those recoverees not eligible for the services;
• Recovery Support Activities--Substance-free recreational activities including Sober Super Bowl, Sober bowling and a weekly Friday Game Night;
• Substance abuse education--CARES offers various evidence-based programs;
• Spiritual and faith-based support--two staff are trained in Religion and Spirituality for recovery coaches;
• Naloxone (also known as Narcan) training to teach an individual how to recognize an opiate overdose and properly respond, including how to administer Naloxone. Eligible individuals are also provided a free Naloxone Rescue Kit.

For more information about HOPE ONE:
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973-625-1143