PREFERRED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GROUP OF NEW JERSEY INC
Hope. Heal. Thrive.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Serving the community for over 45 years, Preferred Behavioral Health Group has been an invaluable resource for those experiencing the challenges of behavioral health, including Substance Use and Mental Illness. Preferred Behavioral Health Group offers 70 comprehensive programs that provide prevention, education, and treatment services. In addition PBHG has successfully collaborated with local schools, law enforcement, and other community organizations. PBHG has over 400 certified and professional staff members that include psychiatric prescribers, APN's, clinical social workers, substance abuse counselors, case manager, nurses, and psychologists. With over 20,000 individuals served every year, our philosophy is to encourage, promote and facilitate empowerment and hope for those we treat, as well as expectations for recovery and wellness. We strive to continuously augment our programs and advance the quality of our services. We are changing lives and saving lives every day,
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
SAIL
The SAIL program serves adolescents 13-18 years old who are at risk for out-of-home placement due to behavioral or emotional issues. The milieu focuses on maximizing learning, growth and daily living skills through the following services: intake assessment, psychiatric evaluation, medication monitoring, substance abuse education, individual, family and group counseling, case coordination, educational support and liaison services, life skills training, therapeutic recreation, socialization, respite care, crisis intervention, meals and transportation.
Healthy Families
Healthy Families serves to prevent abuse and neglect of children under three years of age by providing early risk identification and intervention to families at risk. Assistance to at-risk parents is provided to promote positive child development for their infants and young children. The program staff ensures that families at risk for child abuse and neglect recieve appropriate health and supportive services as well as identify and build on family strengths and support parents as the primary caregivers and nurturers of their children.
Project Independence
This program is designed to give adolescents ages 16-21 a head start for responsible living as young adults. Each participant is given a comprehensive independent living skills assessment to determine life skills proficiency levels. Intensive training is then provided through both educational groups and individual skills training sessions. Participation in the program is at least six months long but can continue as long as the youth's commitment to obtaining the goal is evident.
School-Based Youth Services
The School-Based Youth Services Programs address the social and health needs of teens in a comprehensive, one-stop shopping, non-stigmatized manner in their school setting in order to promote healthy youth development. These programs provide a full array of behavioral health and social services to the students and their families within the Lakewood and Brick school districts. These services include, but are not limited to: individual, group and family counseling, case management, substance abuse services, college exposure, job readiness training and recreation.
Children's Mobile Response and Stabilization Services
Children's Mobile Response and Stabilization Services are available to families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, when a child is in crisis. The severity of the crisis cannot warrant psychiatric hospitalization or arrest by the police department. This in-home intervention is available in order to diffuse and stabilize the child and family in their home.
Substance Abuse Prevention Programs
Al's Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices
Beginning Awareness and Basic Education Skills (BABES)
Drug Jeopardy
Footprints for Life
Forest Friends
Project Oz (for students with special needs)
Violence Prevention and Bullying Prevention Programs
COMPASS
Keys to Innervisions
LifeSkillsTM Training
Safe Dates
Anti-Bullying 101
Courageous KidsTM
Cyberbullying Assembly
It Takes CourageTM
What If?TM
Substance Use Services
Our Substance Use Services provide recommendations and referrals designed to help individuals and families make informed decisions about the next step.
Substance Use Services are provided by licensed addiction counselors, licensed social workers, licensed family therapists, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and nurses who collaborate and develop tailored treatment. These are all evidence-based services making sure that everything we do, we do with quality and high standards for better outcomes.
Mental Health Services
Behavioral Modification Support, Psychological & Psychiatric Evaluations,Senior Counseling Services,Individual & Family Counseling and Therapy
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
We offer a full-service EAP with a variety of options tailored to specific companies or organizations. We have been providing EAP services in New Jersey for over 25 years. We employ licensed professional clinicians with diverse specialties who are available to provide assessment, short-term problem solving and referrals to long-term providers or other resources in the community.
Where we work
Awards
Best Practices Award 2018
CIANJ Commerce Magazine
Employer of the Year Award 2019
NJBIA
59 Best Women In Business - CEO, Mary Pat Angelini 2020
NJBiz
Behavioral Healthcare Provider of the Year 2020
NJ Crisis Intervention Team
Font Line Leadership Award 2020
NJAMHAA
Advocacy of the Year Award 2020
Mental Health Association of New Jersey, Ocean County
Silver Gull Community Award 2021
Monmouth Ocean Development Council (MODC)
Leadership and Advocacy Recognition Award, CEO, Mary Pat Angelini 2021
New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, (NJAMHAA)
Hero Award, Danielle Farrell 2021
Mental Health Association in New Jersey
Inspiring Leader, Nicole Dorrity 2021
New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA)
Pivotal Leader in Children's Services 2021
New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA)
Supervisor of the Year, Anna Kline 2022
New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association
Affiliations & memberships
Oaks Integrated Care 2017
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of individuals receiving services for mental health and substance use disorders.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, At-risk youth
Related Program
Mental Health Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
As the premier behavioral health organization in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, we proudly support the needs of the local community with the following strategies, key differentiators and unparalleled strengths:
For over 45 years, PBHG has been an integral and trusted community partner, able to quickly respond and adapt to the ever-changing health needs of the community, by providing integrated care with the highest levels of compassion and quality.
PBHG is a trauma informed organization that promotes integrated health
and self-care through an empathetic perspective that recognizes and embraces cultural differences
PBHG offers a full spectrum of comprehensive health services starting with preventative and educational programs to the highest level of integrated care for all ages and stages of life.
With innovative programming, new technology, and strategic partnerships with major health systems and universities/colleges, PBHG is proud to be a site for numerous pilot programs of trailblazing behavioral health initiatives never before offered in NJ.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Strategic Organization: Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG) shall embrace a culture which identifies for its workforce a clear stable foundation based on the organization's Mission, Values, Promise, and Strategic priorities. It is upon this foundation that the organization is flexible and dynamic, rapidly adapting and “rolling" with changes in the environment. Our ability to adapt and evolve will ensure our long term viability so that we can provide the services and support critical for the health and well-being of our clients based in our community.
In 2019, PBHG became a Trauma Informed organization. Trauma Informed Care is an organization-wide initiative which includes all employees and has been integrated in all programs in the four Centers of excellence. As a Trauma Informed Care organization, we have bolstered our treatment and support of clients by understanding the profound neurological, biological, psychological, and social effects trauma has on individuals. The current data indicates that 90% of all individuals with a mental illness have experienced a trauma at some time during their lives. Our plan is to continue to be the lead in Trauma Informed Care in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, as well as throughout New Jersey.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Preferred Behavioral Health has focused on meeting the growing need for exceptional behavioral health services for individuals of all ages since its inception in the 1970's. During 2020 -2022, we had unprecedented years of challenges, resilience and healing. The critical need for behavioral health care support and treatment had not only continued, but had increased significantly. With the onset of the 2020 pandemic, we immediately adopted a new business model with has been very effective in managing our clients' needs. We changed the way in which we are staying connected with our clients and the community, using telehealth and telepsychiatry applications. This uncertain time takes a toll on all individuals, from children to seniors. PBHG is here to protect, support, and treat the most vulnerable in our community. Individuals with preexisting mental illness or substance use are extremely susceptible to exacerbation of their conditions or possible relapses. We continue to see an upsurge with our clients and many new clients who are coming to PBHG for counseling and treatment. Communication, counseling, and therapy are critical in maintaining treatment and recovery practices.
Today, the organization provides comprehensive behavioral health care and offers a full array of programs and services to meet the needs of people of all ages, including individual, family and group therapy, programs designed for senior citizens, transitional residential and independent living facilities, advocacy, education and substance use treatment.
Our professional clinical and administrative staff are highly trained and educated with a diversified array of credentials. PBHG has partnered with the largest behavioral health pharmacy in the country (Genoa Healthcare) to provide quality pharmacy services to our clients and staff.
The challenges are great, our resilience is strong, and healing is progressing. Whatever the future holds, we are committed and driven to supporting our mission, so no one who comes to us ever feels isolated, lost, or alone.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Last year, Preferred Behavioral Health Group provided services for over 20,000 individuals through 70 specialized and customized programs. We serve individuals from birth 104 years old at our 15 locations, as well as in many of the local schools. Preferred Behavioral Health Group has over 400 staff members that include advanced practice nurses, clinical social workers, professional counselors, substance abuse counselors, case managers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, residents, and interns. The challenges of mental illness and substance use do not discriminate. They impact individuals of all ages, all races, all genders, and from all socioeconomic groups. It requires a united effort to address these challenges, so we collaborate with local schools, law enforcement and other community organizations. We also have strong working relationships with the local major health systems, offering complementary programs for their patients who need co-occurring treatment, longer term, or intensive outpatient programs; for people with or without insurance. Together, we are providing the best treatment options.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
In 2019, Preferred Behavioral Health Group became a Trauma Informed organization. Trauma Informed Care is an organization-wide initiative which includes all employees and has been integrated in all the programs in the four Centers of Excellence. As a Trauma Informed Care organization, we have bolstered our treatment and support of clients by understanding the profound neurological, biological, psychological, and social effects trauma has on individuals. The current data indicates that 90% of individuals with a mental illness have experienced a trauma at some time during their lives. Our plan is to further establish PBHG as the trailblazer and leader in Trauma Informed Care in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
PREFERRED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH GROUP OF NEW JERSEY INC
Board of directorsas of 03/06/2023
Ms. Grace Hanlon
Consultant
Term: 2012 - 2024
Benjamin Waldron
Monmouth Ocean Development Council
Term: 2018 - 2023
Tara Chalakani
Preferred Behavioral Health Group
Benjamin Waldron
MODC
Craig Coleman
Retired Educator
David Salewski
Oaks Integrated Care
Derry Holland
Oaks Integrated Care
Grace M. Hanlon
Jersey Shore Partnership
Stephen E. Trimboli, Esq.
Trimboli & Prusinowski LLC
George V. DiStefano
Unity Construction
Justin Kolbenschlag, Esq.
Pashman, Stein, Walder, Hayden P.C.
Philip R. Beachem
NJ Alliance for Action
Randy J. Minniear
Mercury Public Affairs
Charles Melita
Integrated Financial Concepts
Lynn Maurer
TD Bank
Michael Kokes
Kokes Properties
Suzanne Parchment
ARC of Monmouth County
Lambros R. Lambrou, D.C.
Northeast Spine and Sports Medicine
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/11/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.