Diverse Faces Many Lives: New Jerseyans Rely on Mental Health and Substance Use Services to Thrive

The therapy and other support I received were incredibly helpful. Without this care, I don’t know what I would be doing now — probably a high school dropout and living on the streets. I can’t thank Oaks enough. Traumatic experiences during Amir’s childhood led to mental health challenges that had not been addressed until he was a teenager and arrived at Oaks Integrated Care’s Florence Klemmer Group Home. Through therapy and support in building coping skills, Amir developed confidence and the will to succeed. He improved his grades, became very involved in school and successfully ran for class president. He also obtained employment at a coffee shop. Amir is now in an independent living program and plans to attend college and pursue a career in social services. 3 Funding Needed to Make More Successes Such as Amir’s Possible Increase the children’s psychiatric assessment rate and partial care rate — both of which were not included in the recent rate increases for the Children’s System of Care – so youth can receive care when needed. AMIR