NJAMHAA - 2021 Advocacy Piece

School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSPs) New Jersey also has a program designed to provide easily accessible, pre-crisis services to adolescents that needs to be expanded. The School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP), established in 1988, is currently operating in 91 middle and high schools throughout the state. Community-based organizations that have contracted to deliver these services have fully embraced the model and intent, which is to offer integrated care services at or near schools in a way that decreases stigma. The core services include individual and family counseling; primary and preventive health services; drug and alcohol abuse counseling; employment counseling, training and placement; and recreation. Each program has uniquely expanded on these core services, offering diverse additional services including dental screening, clubs (e.g., homework club, gay/straight alliance), suicide prevention and anti- bullying initiatives, after school programs, summer programs, pregnancy prevention and more. With parental consent, all students at host schools can participate in SBYSP activities and use SBYSP services. When SBYSP funding was threatened in 2020, the outcry from students, families, principals, school administrators, teachers, community Boards, and others familiar with the value of SBYSP services was immediate and forceful. The people and communities directly benefiting from SBYSPs know their value. The state must acknowledge that value by doubling the state funding for SBYSPs in FY2022 and developing a plan for expanding them to all school districts in the coming years. 6 When he was about 13, Justin realized he was “not like the other boys” when it came to his sexuality, and he often struggled with anxiety and panic episodes. He participated in Preferred Behavioral Health Group’s School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP), including the Gay Straight Alliance club, at his high school. “The counselor gaveme the confidence to believe I had strengths and helpedme to accept myself. I learned that I can push through, nomatter what. The program is invaluable,” Justin said. During his senior year in college, Justin was accepted as an intern at the SBYSP, which provided opportunities for him to uniquely help students and forge his own path toward self-discovery. Justin plans to earn his Master’s degree in Social Work and become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. SBYSPs: JUSTIN’S BRIDGE TO A BETTER FUTURE Double the State’s investment in SBYSP to $30 million. BUDGET PRIORITY Under a great deal of stress after moving fromNew Zealand, with a husband whose health began failing, Rose connected with Catholic Charities – Diocese of Trenton’s (CC Trenton’s) Early Intervention Support Services (EISS), a short-term stabilization program in Mercer County for people in emotional distress or psychiatric crisis. Rose states, “It really did helpme. I learned about boundaries and self-care strategies. Shifting focus tomy strengths really helped too. I felt relieved and really good about myself – I felt like I was gainingmy strength back as an individual.” Now amental health peer advocate and casemanager in the EISS program, Rose helps overwhelmed new clients feel at ease. Besides rapid- access to treatment, CC Trenton’s EISSmodel also works well because it removes barriers such as transportation, food and language. Rose is currently planning to return to school to finish her degree. EISS: A STABLE FOUNDATION FOR ROSE