Rockaway, N.J. (September 1, 2020) – Prevention Is Key (PIK), a north Jersey-based non-profit substance misuse prevention agency, announced today that it has received the 2020 Innovation Grant Award for Mobile Recovery Unit  from the Passaic County Department of Human Services-Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.  The project is intended to reduce opioid use disorder, connect individuals with opioid use disorder to appropriate treatment/resources, and support individuals on their path to recovery.

It will run for a twelve-month period, beginning August 1, 2020 and continuing through July 31, 2021. As grant recipient for this project, PIK will receive $167,627 in funding.

The primary objective of this project is to ensure that those in need of services and support for substance use, receive the appropriate resources and assistance. Drawing from its participation in the successful Hope One mobile outreach program currently running in Morris County, to achieve this goal, PIK will plan, staff and operate a Mobile Recovery Unit in Passaic County utilizing a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, a Mental Health professional and plainclothes law enforcement officer. The unit will set up at designated areas throughout the county in order to increase access to needed services. Certified Peer Recovery Specialists will be persons with lived experience with addiction who will utilize that experience along with their training to better relate to an individual and effectively provide support and assistance.

In addition, PIK will use funding from the grant to facilitate educational services, with the goal of reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorder and mental illness.  PIK will also work towards strengthening the bond between civilians and law enforcement to create community level change to the way individuals receive help in Passaic County.

“We are grateful for this generous funding from the Passaic County Department of Human Services-Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.  This funding will allow us to broaden our reach and use what we’ve learned from the Hope One program in Morris County to benefit Passaic County’s most vulnerable citizens, those suffering from substance use disorders and mental health concerns,” said PIK Executive Director Chris Goeke. “Mobile projects like this one ensure that we’re able to meet individuals where they are to provide life-saving support and resources.”

Services offered as part of the project will include:

• Substance use disorder support
• Mental illness support for individuals, families, friends and loved ones
• Linkage to services and resources, including housing; social services (i.e. food cards, identification)
• Navigation to treatment for substance use disorder (including medication treatment) and mental illness
• Distribution of harm reduction kits; homeless outreach care packs
• Refreshments (i.e. coffee and bagels) and training and distribution of Naloxone rescue kits for eligible individuals

These services will be initiated on the Mobile Recovery Unit and may be completed through other service providers depending on the needs of the individual.  Services will be offered two days per week for up to five hours each at various locations throughout the county.

About Prevention Is Key

Prevention is Key (PIK) is a 501(c)3 organization that has successfully delivered culturally competent, evidence-based prevention services in Morris County and the surrounding counties for 30 years. The agency was founded in 1989 to coordinate substance abuse prevention in Morris County.  From our roots as a resource center and awareness campaign agency with a modest budget, to our current implementation of both direct service and environmental change strategies, including the addition of the Center for Addiction Recovery and Success (CARES) Peer to Peer Recovery Center,  it has made PIK the premiere substance abuse prevention agency in north-central New Jersey. For more information, visit www.preventioniskey.org.