By: Richard L. Smith
Integrity House, a prominent provider of substance use and mental health services in New Jersey, has been awarded a $300,000 grant through the New Jersey Safety Net Program (NJ SNIP), funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation.
The grant, administered by the Camden Coalition, is aimed at improving mental health care for individuals living with serious mental illnesses (SMI) by strengthening the state's healthcare safety net. 
With the funding, Integrity House will place care managers in local emergency departments, ensuring smoother transitions for patients in crisis.
The initiative aims to reduce unnecessary hospital visits, improve access to treatment, address social determinants of health (SDoH), and enhance long-term mental health outcomes.
"We are grateful to the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation for supporting increased mental health care access for Essex County residents,” said Naima Briscoe, MBA, Senior Director of Development and Strategy at Integrity House.
“Untreated serious mental illness can lead to substance use disorders, physical health issues, and other negative outcomes. This grant will help us provide critical support to individuals in crisis, particularly those facing homelessness and severe socioeconomic challenges.”
In its first year, the program will focus on:
- Establishing formal agreements with local hospitals.
- Hiring care managers and clinical staff, including a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
- Providing psychiatric evaluations and treatment.
- Assessing patients' overall needs and implementing appropriate interventions.
Additionally, the initiative will strengthen partnerships with community organizations and peer support networks to ensure culturally responsive and accessible mental health services.
Katie Kena, LCSW, Senior Director of Integrity House, will lead the project, overseeing efforts to expand care coordination and improve access to essential mental health resources.
"Integrating care managers into emergency departments is a crucial step in reducing barriers to mental health care,” said Kena. “We are eager to collaborate with our partners and create a more compassionate, responsive healthcare system for those with serious mental illnesses.” 
The Integrity Certified Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), located in Newark, will play a key role in providing mental health and substance use disorder treatment, primary care screening, and support services as part of this initiative.
This grant marks a significant step toward enhancing mental health care in Essex County and ensuring vulnerable populations receive the support they need.