Specialized Behavioral Health Services at Trinitas Hospital
Spotlight on Screening Center Diversion Program & Outpatient
Addiction Services

Frequent users of acute care services, they are often difficult to treat because they do not take their medication regularly. They live each day at the edge with developmental or thought limitations, and have limited insight into their symptoms and treatment needs, and with little benefit of support systems available to them. Some are at risk of being hospitalized in a psychiatric setting for the first time.

These are the patients with whom the Behavioral Health and Psychiatry Department's Screening Center Diversion Program (SCDP) work each day. Through SCDP, one of only seven such programs throughout the state, patients receive emergency access to funds for prescription medications and 60 days of "wraparound" intensive medical, social, and welfare services, and home visits. These clients are also linked to the appropriate levels of primary mental health or addiction services care. Since January 2005, the SCDP team has helped provide the stabilizing services these patients need.

A tall order, to be sure. But, within the ebb and flow of the daily lives of these patients, life preservers abound in this program, one of only seven such programs throughout the state. Consulting psychiatrist, Dr. Thomas Skorpski, MD, Director Mike Guglielmino and Assistant Director Pattie Ballantine, oversee the three clinicians who handle 20 cases each, along with assistance from a part time secretary and a van driver. There is immediate shelter for these patients if they are homeless, thanks to the Salvation Army and Flynn House. There is individual, family and group therapy. There is empowerment.

"We're here 24/7 to help our clients function and make progress in the community," said Tammy Payne, Team Leader, adding "two of our peer advocates who thrived in the program worked in the SCDP offices which helped prepare them for full time employment. We're very proud of them."

Tammy continues to explain that the SCDP serves as a model for similar programs at other hospitals in the state and her team has frequently served as a resource for fellow professionals. The Trinitas program is very highly regarded and respected because of how well it tracks its clients, so much so that SCDP clients always receive prompt approval from welfare for the assistance they need.

"Our success is tied to immediate funding sources from the state for transportation, clothing, medication needs, and housing for this very needy population," notes Tammy, adding "we'll continue to provide these extremely vital services to as many clients as possible, thanks to funding that we hope will not only continue at current levels, but will be increased in the coming year."

Director Linda Chapman describes the Trinitas Hospital Behavioral Health & Psychiatry Department's Outpatient Addiction Services as one of the largest outpatient programs in the state. Mental health and addictions professionals play a key role in Women's Addiction Services (WAS). Linda explains that integrated mental health and addiction treatment are provided to about 75 women and the significant others in their lives. WAS offers a full continuum of services to help women and their families begin their recovery process.

"We believe that addiction affects all family members, that recovery is an individual responsibility," said Linda. The WAS program provides a structured environment in which multidisciplinary assessment and treatments take the place of an in patient stay. Medication management helps patients improve their level of function and also reduce the symptoms of drug abuse. Therapeutic responses help patients who may experience a wide range of complications. Motivational counseling, family guidance and support, and other resources help to link patients to community services and resources.

As a result of partnering with the YWCA of Elizabeth, "Project Sustain" a highly successful family-oriented program, is in place funded by the New Jersey Division of Addiction Services. The program houses six families at a time at the Y, transports them back and forth for treatment, provides child care, and offers Children's therapeutic day care and children's out patient services. It also serves the needs of addicted women who are pregnant and who must be treated with methadone during their pregnancy. "We make sure they get appropriate pre-natal care to help improve the health of their unborn child and then provide these new mothers and babies with post-partum detoxification support," explained Linda.

Against such steep odds, those outside of this arena may wonder how addiction and mental health professionals make the commitment they do. Linda reports staff retention is not an issue since she has worked with the same highly-dedicated professionals for years. She holds her gaze. "I feel as if I am doing God's work here. Addiction is a chronic problem, much like diabetes or high blood pressure. It's just that those two conditions are physical disorders while the ones I work with every day are more like diseases of the spirit. They still require the same commitment to help return the patient to good health."