Criminal Justice Diversion Program Goals Bridgeway utilizes evidence based and best practices to help people with psychiatric and addictive disorders. The focus is on improving one’s ability to manage his/her illness and to foster beneficial change. Emphasis is put on improving self efficacy, instilling hope, instilling intrinsic motivation, promoting health decision making and developing wellness management. Greater community integration is the overall goal of the Bridgeway program. This objective is measured in different ways for different people. For some, it means returning to work or school. For others, it may be when they become involved in some type of self-help group in the community. Affiliating with a health club or becoming more involved in a faith-based organization is community integration for some. A substantial number of Bridgeway service recipients achieve greater community integration by enhancing their interpersonal and social relations, be this with friends, family, loved ones, or neighbors. For all persons served, it is hoped that they become part of the larger community to the fullest extent possible and that they use the opportunities at Bridgeway as a stepping-stone to obtaining this greater involvement. Wellness Management: Bridgeway provides evidence based practices that are geared towards helping individual’s to manage their illness. We believe that individuals have a right to access those services which are considered best practices in the field. As a part of this members, if they choose, will be helped to develop a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP). This is a structured system for monitoring uncomfortable, distressing signs and symptoms, and through planned responses, reducing, modifying or eliminating those signs and symptoms. It also includes plans for responses from others when your symptoms have made it impossible for you to continue to make decisions. Criminal Justice Diversion Mission Statement: Bridgeway believes that a comprehensive diversion program can make a difference in breaking the cycle of arrest, re-arrest and incarceration of individuals with serious mental illnesses that are or will be charged with non-violent offenses. The Bridgeway Jail Diversion Program will develop individualized plans for mental health services to assist individuals to reach their own goals and integrate fully into their own community. Goals for Criminal Justice Diversion Services: To provide linkage to needed services relating to housing assistance. Until permanent housing can be found referrals will be made for safe temporary housing in the community. 2. To Provide necessary linkages to mental and medical health services. The goal of this stage will be to assist the individual to focus on their rehabilitation goals, management and recovery, support services and resources. 3. To provide linkage to social welfare/financial entitlements to support independent and community living. 4. To provide employment counseling and career development in order to develop strategies to choose, get and keep employment and/or school. 5. To assist individuals to develop their supportive network in the community, including families, friends, self-help, religious organizations, and social/recreational programs. Program Services Linkage and Release Plans: We will assist individuals with linkages and release plans to community based services, including: Shelter, housing, entitlements, mental health, substance abuse, legal services, and medical services. Rehabilitation Services: This includes working with persons receiving services on developing and reaching their goals. Community Integration and Natural Supports: This includes the utilization of self-help centers, adult education programs, AA and NA meetings, families and friends, churches, social and recreational clubs, and other community resources. Living Skills Dvelopment: Developing skills for medication self-management, career development, abstinence from addictive substances, apartment management, cooking, shopping and budgeting. Supportive Counseling: Counseling is available without time limits, where and when you needs and want the services Educational and Vocational Referrals: Criminal Justice Diversion will assist with the linkages to DVR, supportive employment, GED programs, educational programs, etc. Eligibility Criteria Major mental illness Union County resident Criminal Justice Linkage Program: Must be currently incarcerated at the Union County Jail Jail Diversion Program: Must have charges from Union County that may be diverted Non-violent offenses GENERAL HOURS The program is open from Monday through Thursday, 9:00 to 5:00, and Fridays, 9:00 to 3:30. The office is located at 65 Jefferson St, Elizabeth. Contact Person Winston Clayton, Criminal Justice Linkage Senior Counselor Phone: (908) 994-8544 Contact Person Nancy Schneeloch, Program Director Phone: (908) 249-4100 Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services, Inc. 615 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ Cory Storch, Executive Director Phone: (908) 355-7886