Community Resource

Division of Family Guidance

(201) 336-7350
Hackensack

Division of Family Guidance

Bergen County's Division of Family Guidance provides clinical, residential, educational, correctional, case management, and monitoring services to at-risk children, adolescents, and families, particularly those who are otherwise unable to receive needed services. It is Bergen County's resource for youth and families in need.   All services are provided AT NO COST to Bergen County families.  

Values:

  • Collaborative, Creative, and Empirically Driven Programming
  • Safe, Respectful, Dependable, and Therapeutic Environments
  • Developmentally Appropriate Expectations
  • Empowerment through Opportunity
  • Community Safety

Family conflict or mental health needs:

  • Juvenile Family Crisis Intervention Unit (JFCIU)
    a 24/7 program which manages conflicts between adolescents and parents, and addresses situations involving endangered juveniles, runaways, and truants. Call 201-336-7360.
  • Adolescent and Family Treatment (AFT)
    an outpatient therapy program which offers consultation, counseling, and therapy services to youths and families without insurance or access to services. 
    Grief and Loss - AFT now offers individual and group therapeutic services to children and adolescents experiencing grief and loss. These bereavement services are available to youth ages 7-17.
  • Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST)
    a comprehensive, in-home family therapy program that provides an alternative to out of home placement.  The service provides clinical services for youth with complex emotional, social and academic needs.  
  • Adolescent Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)
    A licensed outpatient program providing comprehensive substance abuse services for youth and families.   Services include:  individual counseling, group counseling and relapse prevention.  

Therapeutic and prosocial programs:

  • Empower House 
    a program designed for young women ages 16 – 22 who may benefit from extra support from both peers and role models in a warm and nurturing home-like setting. The program offers therapeutic, prosocial, and recreational services. To learn more about Empower House please call (201) 336-6915 or (201) 336-6900.

  • Essex House
    a therapeutic, prosocial and recreational program designed for young men, aged 16-22 who may benefit from extra support from peers and role models in a warm, nurturing home-like setting.

  • Children's Resource Center (CRC)
    After-school program for Bergen County children ages 10-12. The program provides a safe and positive environment for children to develop communication, social skills, and cultivate positive relationships.   Activities include: art, music, dance, yoga, martial arts, drama, homework help, outdoor activities as weather permits.  

  • Children's After-School Treatment Services (CATS)
    an activity-based, therapeutic after-school program designed to help improve the social skills of elementary and middle school-aged children.

  • Reflections
    an improvisational theatre group that explores adolescent issues.  RISE is the summer program opportunity similar to Reflections.

  • Youth Resource Center
    an after-school program for youth ages 13 to 17.  The program provides a safe and positive environment for youth to develop communication and social skills, and cultivate positive relationships.   Activities include art, music,  outdoor activities, culinary and other pro-social activities.  

EDucational and Employment issues:

  • Bridges to Employment
    a job-readiness program designed to mentor youth in seeking and attaining sustainable employment.  
  • Connections
    an all-day High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation and life skills program for youth who have dropped out of high school.  Also offers work readiness, computer lab, and career assessment and guidance.    
  • The following services are offered in collaborative with Bergen County Special Services, they can only be accessed through a local school district:
  • North Street School
    an alternative therapeutic educational experience for court involved youth unable to attend classes in their home district school
  • Suspension Alternatives Program (SAP)
    a collaboration with the Bergen County Special Services that intervenes with adolescents who are in conflict with their school systems
  • Venture
    an extended school year program which addresses the therapeutic and educational needs of middle and high school aged students who are psychiatrically fragile

residential programs:

  • Bergen's Place Youth Shelter
    A state licensed residential crisis and homeless shelter for youth ages 11 to 17.   Provides safe, temporary housing to at-risk youth.  
  • Visions
    a transitional residential program for youth 16½ - 22 years old.  Skill based services are aimed at preparing young adults for living independently in the community.  
  • Shelter-Plus Care
    a collaboration with the Bergen County Housing Authority that provides a rental assistance housing program for young adults who are ready to be on their own

Court involved programs:

  • Alternatives To Detention (ATD)
    An alternative to secure detention for adolescents involved with family court. Program provides case management, supervision, weekly recording, and psycho-educational programming.  
  • Forensic Unit/Forensic Evaluations
    a diagnostic team which conducts court-ordered pre-sentencing evaluations of juveniles in order to assess the risk for sexual re-offense and violence in the future
  • Juvenile Detention Center (JDC)
    a secure residence that temporarily houses youths who have committed a delinquent act and are awaiting court action
  • Supervised Visitation Program (SVP)
    a court-ordered program that allows a non-custodial parent to visit with his/her child in a safe environment when supervision is required
  • Teen Re-Adjustment Program (TREAD)
    an outpatient program for juvenile sex offenders, focusing on eliminating further sexual misconduct

provider referred diversion programs

The following programs can only be accessed through a school district, mental health provider or law enforcement.

  • Teen Education About Cyber Harassment (TEACH) program 
    a brief intervention and psychoeducational program for adolescents who are involved in Cyber harassment.  This program is comprised of an initial evaluation, 5 sessions for the youth, and 2 parent sessions.
  • Teens Using Technology Responsibly (TUTER) program 
    a brief intervention and psychoeducational program for adolescents who are involved in sexting.  This program is comprised of an initial evaluation, 5 sessions for the youth, and 2 parent sessions.

  • Tolerance, Empathy Acceptance and Respect (TEAR) program
    a brief intervention and psychoeducational program for adolescents involved in hate crimes/bias incidents.  The program is comprised of an initial intake and 5 sessions, one of which will include the family.  

  • Brief Intervention Program Against Substances (BIPAS) program
    a brief intervention and psychoeducational program for adolescents involved in early states of substance use.  This program is comprised of an initial intake and 5 sessions and is offered in a group format.  

  • Preventing Adolescent Vaping through Education (PAVE) program
    a brief intervention and psychoeducational program for adolescents involved in vaping incidents.  The program is comprised of an initial intake and 5 sessions. The program is offered in a group format.  

  • Positive Strides program
    a brief intervention and psychoeducational program for adolescents who display difficulty in managing anger.  This character development (anger management) program is comprised of an initial evaluation, 10 sessions for the youth, and 2 parent sessions.  

The following program is a collaboration with the Bergen County Jail:

  • Supporting Children of Incarcerated Parents (SCIP)
    A program developed to provide comprehensive services for children whose parents are incarcerated.  Services include:  increased communication between incarcerated parents and their child, parenting skills educational workshops, and community based case management services.  
Age Groups
  • Children
  • Adolescents
Community Services
Arts & Recreation
Basic Needs / Assistance
Education
Employment / Training
Family & Support Services
Health Services
Behavioral / Mental Health
Crisis / Safety
Treatment Services
Outpatient Services
Treatment Settings
  • Detention Center
  • Home
  • School
Payment Options
  • Free

Last Updated: 05/15/24