DMHAS plans prevention and early intervention services in the State, and awards funding to providers through Requests for Proposals (RFP). DMHAS staff monitor contracts, provide on-going technical assistance to contracted provider agencies, and oversee outcome evaluations for all prevention and early intervention programs. DMHAS collaborates with the County Alcohol & Drug Abuse Directors, County Mental Health Administrators and other federal, state, county, and local government entities in the administration of prevention and early intervention services.
DMHAS Promotes Model (Evidence-Based Prevention) Programs Endorsed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
In July 2012, SAMHSA awarded the DMHAS a five year $7.5 million cooperative agreement for Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) services. Entitled NJ SBIRT, the project is a partnership between the DMHAS and the Henry J. Austin Federally Qualified Health Center, a partner organization of the Trenton Health Team, Inc. (THT), a community health improvement collaborative serving the city of Trenton, NJ and its surrounding areas. NJ SBIRT aligns with and supports the THT's mission to transform healthcare by forming community partnerships to expand access to high quality, coordinated healthcare. Specifically, NJ SBIRT seeks to expand and enhance the existing continuum of care by integrating evidence-based services, proven effective in reducing substance use and associated negative health consequences, in primary care and community health settings.
Click here to view the directory of funded substance abuse prevention providers.
A description of risk and protective factors for substance abuse can be found here.