Question

Care Plus NJ, Inc.

 CBH Care

 West Bergen Mental

 Healthcare

Children’s Aid and Family Services

1. Does the agency issue school clearance letters?

Yes, with understanding family may need to follow through with treatment recommendations

Yes

Yes

Yes, with understanding family may need to follow through with treatment recommendations

2. If yes, who can assess students and sign clearance letter?

Licensed clinical professional

Licensed clinical professional

Licensed clinical professional

Licensed clinical professional

3. For a clearance, what is the typical waiting period to see a licensed clinical professional?

24-48 business hours

As available, usually the same day or next.

Seen the same day or next day

Seen the same day or next day

4. What is the typical duration of time for the clearance letter to be sent out?

Family leaves appointment with letter

Family leaves with appointment letter

Family leaves appointment with letter

Family leaves appointment with letter

 and recommendations

5. Are the follow-up recommendations only on the discharge summary or in any other report?

Recommendations will be made for additional evaluations if needed.

Recommendations will be made for additional evaluations if needed.

Not in letter, but in follow up communication provided with signed release.

Recommendations will be made for additional evaluations if needed with a signed release

6. Does your agency see students from outside your catchment area for these assessments & letters?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

7. Does your agency obtain written parental consent for release of assessment and recommendations to school staff?

Yes

Yes – required before information is released

Yes

Yes

8. Access number and or title of staff member to be contacted for this type of service.

Call Rose Veliz (201) 797-2660 X 5602 Pleease leave a voicemail for return call.  Request a school clearance assessment.   

Call (201) 646-0195.

Request a school clearance assessment

Call (201) 688-7098 – Ask for Access Center - Request a school clearance assessment.

If needed, ask for the Clinical Director.

Call (201) 740-7082.  Request a school clearance assessment.  If needed, ask for the Director or

Coordinator of Clinical Services.

9. How is the cost for the assessment & letter covered?

  VARIES – School districts and/or parents/guardians can pose this question while making the appointment.  

**DO NOT SEND FAMILIES TO BERGEN NEW BRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER’S EMERGENCY ROOM (OR ANY ER) FOR A SCHOOL CLEARANCE AS THE MEDICAL CENTER DOES NOT CONDUCT THESE ASSESSMENTS.

The Bergen County Children’s Interagency Coordinating Council [CIACC] strives to create cultures of wellness for all youth in all of the places where they live, learn and play.  Furthermore, the CIACC aims to assure that Bergen’s partners in the NJ’s Children’s System of Care work together with local resources to provide the services and supports youth and families need to thrive.

In 2011, the CIACC’s Education Subcommittee worked with a leading school board attorney to create a policy that would benefit both youth and schools.  The policy was launched and continues to be considered as a best practice approach by districts throughout the county.   Implementation of the policy has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of youth sent to emergency rooms [ER] for a school clearance, a huge decrease in the number of days a youth is out of school pending a clearance and a substantial increase in the number of youth and families connected to local resources.

IMPORTANT to REMEMBER –No Cost 24-Hour/7 Days a Week Crisis Intervention and Stabilization Services are available to help youth and families in crisis.  Schools can help families link to this service by calling, with the family, PerformCare at 877-652-7624 to request Children’s Mobile Response.   If you need help or have questions about Mobile, call Jaime Arlia, LPC, ACS, Director of Children’s Mobile at 201-796-9479 or email JaimeD@CarePlusNJ.org.