Since 2000, the TLC has been providing support to communities affected by traumatic events such as homicide and illness; the most difficult being suicide.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in New Jersey for ages 15-24. On average, one person dies by suicide every 13 hours in the state, and nearly twice as many people die by suicide in New Jersey annually than by homicide.  The dual mission of the TLC is excellence in suicide prevention and trauma response assistance to schools following unfortunate losses due to suicide, homicide, accident, and illness.  This is accomplished through county, regional, and statewide conferences, training, consultation, onsite traumatic loss response, and technical assistance.  The purpose is to ensure that those working with youth from a variety of disciplines and programs have up-to-date knowledge about mental health issues, suicide prevention, traumatic grief, and resiliency enhancement.

Through collaborative funding by NJ Department of Children & Families, Children's System of Care,  the Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth Program has created an expanding statewide network that effectively works to prevent suicide and promote hope, healing, and resiliency in the aftermath of traumatic loss.

Local contact:  Jen Velten, MA, LPC, ACS, CCTP
Bergen County TLC Coordinator
Direct: 201.250.6660
Email: [email protected]

State contact:   Maureen A. Brogan, Statewide Program Manager, LPC, ACS, DAAETS, DRCC
151 Centennial Avenue,  Piscataway, NJ 08854   (732) 235-2810     [email protected]

Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults
Community Services	Community Community Education Employment / Training Life Skills Training Preparing for Adulthood Family & Support Services Adoption / Foster Care Caregiving Case Management Child Care / After School Divorce & Co-Parenting Family Support Grandparenting Parenting & Caregiving
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health ADHD / ADD Anger Management Anxiety Behavioral Depression Dissociative Disorders Family Conflict & Distress Grief / Loss Mental Health Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Personality Disorders Self-Injury Teen Issues Trauma / PTSD Womens / Mens Crisis / Safety Crisis / Safety / Prevention Emergency Preparedness Suicide / Suicidal Ideation

Last Updated: 02/08/23