The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) recently awarded Preferred Behavioral Health Group $1.1 million to expand its Intercept® program across Region 3, encompassing Ocean, Monmouth, and Mercer counties.
This funding will enable PBHG to deliver intensive, individualized in-home mental health services to children and teenagers from birth through age 17 who are at risk of entering—or re-entering—out-of-home placements such as foster care, residential facilities, or group homes.
“Our mission is to strengthen New Jersey families and create healthier communities,” Dr. Tara Chalakani, CEO of Preferred Behavioral Health Group said. “This generous support from the Department of Children and Families allows us to expand our reach and ensure more children in crisis receive the care and support they need—right in their homes and neighborhoods.”
The Intercept® program is designed to stabilize families, prevent unnecessary separations, and support successful reunifications for children already in placement. Using a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach, Family Intervention Specialists provide wraparound services tailored to each family’s needs, including mental health support, crisis intervention, school and legal advocacy, and 24/7 on-call assistance.
Intercept® focuses on prevention, offering families resources and support before a crisis leads to a child’s removal from the home. For families working toward reunification, the program helps reduce time spent in placement by promoting stability and healing.
The program will serve children with emotional and behavioral challenges, including those who have experienced abuse and neglect. By addressing the root causes of family instability and offering individualized therapeutic support, Intercept® aims to reduce the long-term need for child welfare and behavioral health services.
