For Immediate Release
April 28, 2010
Contact:
Christine Driscoll
Care Plus Foundation
(201) 986-5070
christined@careplusnj.org
News Release
PARAMUS, N.J.
On June 17, the Board of
Trustees of the Care Plus Foundation and Care Plus NJ, Inc., at the
recommendation of The Bergen County Psychiatric Emergency Screening
Program (262-HELP), will honor all Bergen County Municipal Police Departments at
the 12th Annual Care Plus Foundation Courage Awards Dinner. Chief Patrick
O’Dea, Past President of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association,
will be accepting the honor on behalf of the municipal police
departments.
“The municipal police
departments are a true asset to the mental health community here in Bergen
County,” said Michelle Alkhalaileh, Care Plus NJ Director, Psychiatric Emergency
Screening Program. “262-HELP and Care Plus NJ appreciate all that they do.”
The municipal police
departments’ exemplary work with community members suffering with mental health
issues is noteworthy, and Care Plus is privileged to acknowledge their
dedication and efforts. The police are true partners in 262-HELP’s efforts
to provide the highest quality of psychiatric emergency services to the
residents of Bergen County. They are the initial responders when there is
a mental health crisis in the community and ensure the safety of all parties
involved. The police triage each situation, determine if the individual in
crisis is in need of further evaluation and treatment, and arrange for
transportation to a hospital emergency room. If the situation is
clinically challenging, the police call 262-HELP for services. When transport
is needed, the police ensure individuals arrive safely at emergency
rooms. 262-HELP would not be able to perform community outreaches without the
assistance of the officers.
Amie Doyno, Care Plus
NJ Assistant Director, Psychiatric Emergency Screening Program adds, "We asked
Chief O'Dea to accept this honor on behalf of all the departments because he was
integral in assisting 262-HELP with communicating our program’s
needs and changes to all local municipalities. He advocated for our
department and encouraged other municipalities to do the same, and in doing so
provided an invaluable service to the mental health consumers of Bergen
County."
262-HELP provides emergency
mental health services to Bergen County residents in crisis. Services are
available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 201-262-HELP.
Referrals can be made by anyone including individuals seeking help, family
members, and concerned community members. 262-HELP assesses each individual’s
need for services and provides the most clinically appropriate treatment
intervention. In addition, 262-HELP provides referrals, support, and
linkages to services.
The 2010 Courage Awards
Dinner, which is accompanied by a silent auction and raffle, is the Foundation’s
largest annual fundraiser and will be held at Macaluso’s in Hawthorne, NJ
on June 17th. Information on event tickets, as well as sponsorship and
advertising opportunities, can be obtained by contacting Christine Driscoll at
201-986-5070. For more information about Care Plus Foundation, visit
their website:
www.careplusfoundation.org. For more information about the services of
Care Plus NJ, visit:www.careplusnj.org
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The Care
Plus Foundation, located in Paramus, New Jersey, is a charitable 501c(3)
non-profit corporation dedicated to providing the community with information
related to mental health issues.