NNews-Sep-2026

September 2026 15 TCNJ and Oaks Integrated Care Partner to Strengthen the Workforce I nnovation and partnership are essential, especially considering the ongoing workforce challenges the behavioral healthcare field has been contending with for many years. The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and Oaks Integrated Care are role models for such collaboration. They have built on their longstanding relationship with an initiative that was launched in the fall of 2025 with support from a NJ GAINS (Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors) grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor. “We needed a partner to apply, and I immediately thought of Oaks and Mike,” said Sandy Gibson, PhD, LCSW, LCADC, Professor, Department of Online Counselor Education, TCNJ, referring to Michael D’Amico, MSW, LCSW, Vice President, Oaks Integrated Care. “We wanted a partner that was a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) with a strong reputation and genuinely great clinical opportunities for our students. We've partnered with Oaks for years. They're constantly innovating, and their reputation in the field is excellent. We knew Oaks would help us deliver the kind of experience we wanted our students to have,” Dr. Gibson added. “The idea is to forma pipeline to entry level positions. Our students work full-time at Oaks, some are up-skilling fromexisting jobs there while others are newhires fromour class of admitted students. In year one, students are hired in roles such as casemanagers and peers, and in year two, they transition to being full-time counselors,” Dr. Gibson explained. “A highlight for everyone is that with CCBHC’s, there is no lag time to start working upon graduation, as opposed to other programs where individuals have towait for licenses, which can takemonths.” “We are always in the process of hiring, andwe welcome any opportunity to partner, educate and train people and createmeaningful opportunities that lead to employment and to upskill our existing employees,” D’Amico said. “This is an excellent program for people to elevate themselves and achieve their maximumpotential, and one of the best ways for Oaks to carry our mission forward is to develop our staff.” “ This is an excellent program for people to elevate themselves and achieve their maximum potential, and the best way to carry Oaks’ mission forward is to develop our staff. ” Michael D’Amico, MSW, LCSW Vice President Oaks Integrated Care continued on page 1 6