Bergen County, New Jersey

Division of Family Guidance: Bergen County’s Resource for Youth & Families in Need

One Bergen County Plaza, 2nd Floor

Hackensack, NJ  07601

Phone: (201) 336-7350

Fax: (201) 336-7370

Bergen County’s Division of Family Guidance provides no cost clinical, residential, educational, correctional case management and monitoring services to at risk children, adolescents and families, particularly those who are other wise unable to receive needed services.

Family Guidance Values Include:

Collaborative Creative and Empirically Driven Programming, Safe Respectful and Dependable Therapeutic Environments, Developmentally Appropriate Expectations, Empowerment through Opportunity and Community Safety.

If you family is in conflict or has other mental health needs ask about:

*Juvenile Family Crisis Intervention Unit (JFCIU)-a 24 hour 7 day per week program which manages conflicts between adolescents and parents and addresses situations involving endangered juveniles, runaways and truants.

*Adolescent and Family Treatment (AFT)-an outpatient therapy program which offers consultation, counseling and therapy services to youth and families without insurance or access to services.

*Children’s After-School Treatment Services (CATS)-an activity based therapeutic after school program program designed to improve the social skills of elementary and middle school aged children.

*Multi-System Therapy (MST)-a federal ‘blueprint’ program that addresses the needs of juveniles with severe behavioral problems by providing intensive in home family therapy.

Do you want your GED? Do you want to do something different with your life? Ask about:

*Bridges to Employment-a job readiness career development program to assist participants to become effective members of the workforce.

*Connections-is an all day GED preparation program to increase participants’ chances to succeed in life.

*Reflection-an improvisational theater group that explores adolescent issues.

*Youth Resource Center-an after school program with visual arts, music, dance, cooking and homework help for 13-17 year old youth.

If you are involved wit the Family Court you may be referred to:

*Alternatives to Detention (ATD)-a service which works closely with the Court to allow youths to remain in their community rather than at Detention, while ensuring the youth’s safety and the safety of the community..

*Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)-a licensed outpatient substance abuse treatment program to youths and families recovering from substance abuse and chemical dependency.

*Forensic Unit-a diagnostic program which conducts court ordered evaluations of juveniles to assess the risk for sexual re-offense and violence  in the future.

*Supervised Visitation Program (SVP)-a court ordered program that allows a non-custodial parent to visit with his/her child in a safe environment when supervision is required.

*Teens Re-Adjustment Program (TREAD)-an outpatient program for juvenile sex offenders which focuses on eliminating further sexual misconduct.

*Transitional Program-monitors juveniles who have completed their sentences in Bordentown or a Fields program and assists them in making a successful transition in their families and communities.

Helping People..To help Themselves:

If you need a safe place to stay, ask about:

*Bergen’s Place (Formerly Conklin Youth Center)-a shelter for Bergen County male and female juveniles between the ages of 11 and 17 years.

*Visions-a transitional residential program for males and females 16 1/2 to 21 years of age that develops independent living skills.

*Shelter Plus Care-a collaboration with the Bergen County Housing Authority that provides a rental assistance housing program for young adults who are ready to be on their own.

If thee are significant educational issues you may be referred to a DFG and Special Services collaboration:

*North Street School-an alternative therapeutic educational experience for court involved youth unable to attend classes in their home school district.

*Suspension Alternatives Program (SAP)-a collaboration with the Bergen County Special Services School District and Police Athletic League that intervenes with adolescents who are in conflict with their school systems.

*Venture-an extended school year program which addresses the therapeutic and educational needs of middle and high school aged students who are psychiatrically fragile.

*Venture Out-a program which provides intensive therapy and a life skills curriculum to foster independence for 18-21 year old students with psychiatric  disorders.

Do you need help getting started? Do you have any questions? Call Central Intake (201) 336-7350 for assistance in accessing programs in the Division of Family Guidance and other agencies.

Disclaimer: This information was taken directly from the Bergen County Division of Family Guidance pamphlet and I give them full credit for it. Please look at the different programs available and call or email the numbers above for more information.