Jennifer Obsuth

March 10, 2021. Lakewood. Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG) has been awarded a 2-year $4 million grant from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to expand and enhance services in Ocean and Monmouth counties. The grant will enable PBHG to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), joining 339 other programs throughout the United States. The funding is part of the federal Covid-19 relief package. “This pandemic has substantially increased the number of people in need of services. “The extended isolation and social distancing, family illness and loss, unemployment and under-employment, all have played a part in increased mental health and substance abuse challenges.” Mary Pat Angelini, Chief Executive Officer, PBHG Services will include crisis services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the care will be comprehensive, providing or linking people with the mental health, therapy, and physical health treatment as needed. “By having the resources to establish a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, we will not only expand and increase access to services but will integrate physical health care as well. People in need will have a case manager ensuring this coordinated care,” Angelini continued. “This model of care focuses on the whole person.” Preferred Behavioral Health Group has served the communities in Ocean and Monmouth counties for over 40 years, providing mental health and substance abuse education, prevention, support, and treatment.

February 2021. Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG) has earned the 2020 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar, a service of Candid. By sharing metrics that highlight progress PBHG is making toward its mission, the organization is helping donors move beyond simplistic ways of nonprofit evaluation such as overhead ratios. “One of our organization’s values is transparency and achieving this platinum level reinforces our commitment to being transparent about our work,” said PBHG Chief Executive Officer Mary Pat Angelini.   “We are excited to share PBHG’s results in a user-friendly and highly visual manner. By updating our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile to the Platinum level, we can now easily share a wealth of up-to-date organizational metrics with our supporters as well as GuideStar’s online audience, which includes donors, grant-makers, our peers, and the media.” Mary Pat Angelini, CEO To reach the Platinum level, Preferred Behavioral Health Group added extensive information to its Nonprofit Profile on GuideStar: basic contact and organizational information; in-depth financial information; qualitative information about goals, strategies, and capabilities; and quantitative information about results and progress toward its mission. By taking the time to provide this information, PBHG has demonstrated its commitment to transparency and to giving donors and funders meaningful data to evaluate nonprofit performance.   PBHG’s GuideStar profile can be found here: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/22-2196988 

January 20, 2021. Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG) is pleased to announce that Sandra Grebel of Point Pleasant has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Mental Health Services for Youth and Families. Grebel has served as Director of Intensive Community Services for children and families since 2017 and held various positions at PBHG since 1996. Ms. Grebel will now oversee all the children and family programs, including the Preferred Center for Children and Families outpatient center in Brick, and intensive adolescent, family visitation, foster care, school-based mental health services, youth prevention, crisis intervention programs, and others.  “Sandy is a consummate, caring and dedicated professional who has received well-deserved awards and honors throughout her career. She is well respected by the staff and is, and will continue to be, a huge asset to this organization.” Mary Pat Angelini, CEO, Preferred Behavioral Health Group Ms. Grebel has also served as an adjunct professor in the Master of Social Work department at Monmouth University. Ms. Grebel holds an undergraduate degree in Music Therapy, is a Certified Addiction Specialist, attained a master’s degree in Social Work and is a licensed clinical social worker by the New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners. Preferred Behavioral Health Group is a non-profit organization that has served the community for over 40 years.  PBHG provides mental health and substance abuse education, prevention, support, and treatment to over 30,000 children, adults, and seniors every year. For more information:  www.preferredbehavioral.org. 

January 5, 2020. Preferred Behavioral Health Group (PBHG) is pleased to announce that Tara Chalakani, PsyD, of Brick, has been selected to fill the new position of Chief of Quality and Health Integration. Dr. Chalakani has previously served as the organization’s Vice President of Mental Health Services for Youth and Families. Dr. Chalakani will now oversee PBHG’s quality initiatives and implement health integration throughout all its programs. “It is vitally important to provide services to people that incorporate both physical health and mental health. Dr. Chalakani successfully spearheaded our trauma-informed care approach and has the experience, the education, and most importantly, a great passion and commitment to improve the health and well-being of children, adults, and families.” Mary Pat Angelini, President and CEO Dr. Chalakani has served in leadership roles in the non-profit and for-profit sectors of behavioral health and has over 25 years working in healthcare. She has undergraduate degrees in Nursing and Psychology, a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, and a Doctorate ofPsychology specializing in Behavioral Health Leadership. Preferred Behavioral Health Group is a non-profit organization that has served the community for over 40 years. PBHG provides mental health and substance abuse education, prevention, support, and treatment to over 30,000 children, adults, and seniors every year.

July 2019 (with a September 2020 update)! “Fighting an addiction is harder than fighting in a war…in war, your fellow soldiers have your back; in the drug world, it’s brutal; no one has your back.” Former Army Ranger Marvin speaks candidly about his history of drug addiction and recovery. Raised in Tinton Falls and Neptune in a stable family with lots of love and support, Marvin joined the army in 1983 after graduating from high school. It wasn’t just the army but the Army Rangers, the elite airborne special operations force. In the early 90’s, he was sent to Baghdad and served honorably for 5 months during Operation Desert Storm. Prior to joining the Army, Marvin had no problems with drugs. But the war took its toll. Returning to civilian life following an honorable discharge, Marvin was wracked with nightmares and sweats. To deal with it, he turned to drug use, and then drug sales to make money to buy the drugs his body was craving. For the next 25 years, Marvin struggled through several incarcerations and drug treatment programs. All of his jail sentences were a result of his addiction; for possession, selling drugs, and parole violations based on drug use. He was self-treating his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with drugs rather than seeking treatment for it. In September of 2018, Marvin went into another drug treatment center, and upon his release, he learned about the STAR program through a relative who was in the program. STAR (Support Team for Addiction Recovery), funded through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, is an initiative designed to provide case management and recovery support services for individuals with opioid use disorders. It is now offered in 11 counties and expanding soon to all 21 – Preferred Behavioral Health Group manages the team for Monmouth County. Struggling, but determined to continue to stay abstinent after being home from treatment for 6 weeks, Marvin met Nicole (pictured here with Marvin), a Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) for STAR, and he found his “lifeline.” Peer Recovery Specialists are all recovering addicts and are part of each STAR team. Nicole, in recovery since 2015, had also struggled for years to find her way out of her drug addiction but finally discovered her self-worth and sobriety and found her passion working with this population. She has been with STAR since its inception in February of 2018. Nicole believes the STAR program fills a void – when people leave treatment programs, often the hardest part is getting connected to existing resources in the community and staying away from the people and environment that were harmful. “This is the missing link,” she says, “helping people find the practical support they need to become and remain clean.” Marvin found a mentor in Nicole and drew strength from her. “Nicole is great; she never wavers. Whatever you need, she is there for you – she is caring and strong.” With Nicole’s support, Marvin is close to securing permanent housing (he is now living and caring for his mother in Long Branch), he attends PBHG group sessions and is active in Narcotics Anonymous (NA).  He is also getting his driver’s license back (he lost it years ago because of DUIs and other fines and violations), and he has decided he wants to become a Peer Recovery Specialist himself. He recently successfully completed the Recovery Coach Academy course and has 2 additional courses to take. Nicole believes that as a Peer Recovery Specialist and a veteran, Marvin will be able to uniquely help fellow veterans who are suffering. “He understands them, because he’s been there,” she said. Marvin is now finally receiving support and treatment for his PTSD through the Veterans Administration, and he has also applied for benefits he earned as a serviceman – disability benefits, a VA mortgage loan, and GI education benefits for his youngest daughter to attend college. He is immensely grateful to his family, and he has a very close relationship with his parents, his siblings and his children. “Without my family, I would probably be dead or in jail for the rest of my life. My parents have not left my side.” When speaking about her work with STAR, Nicole says, “I love it – I was able to take the worst part of my life and turn it into something positive.” She has a special understanding of the emotions and struggles facing those she works with, because of her personal experiences. She wants to continue her journey and plans to start taking classes to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. For Marvin, it’s one day at a time but he feels confident and strong. “I am where I need to be, learning to forgive myself and looking forward to my future.” September 2020 Update: Marvin is about to celebrate 2 years in recovery. He is now employed by Preferred Behavioral Health Group as a Peer Recovery Specialist and as a Casemanager in our Ocean County Veterans Program. He spends his days helping others find their way. His next career goal is to work towards obtaining his Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor certification. He is now living on his own in an apartment in Keansburg with a gorgeous water view. His daughter Natasha graduated high school this year with an accelerated Associate’s degree from Brookdale and is now attending Columbia College in South Carolina majoring in Business Administration. He is one proud Dad! He is so appreciative of the support he continues to receive from his PBHG colleagues. “Everyone, from our CEO Mary Pat to everyone I work with, treats me so well, like gold. I am so grateful.” During Recovery Month this year, Marvin is joining the voices for recovery and we celebrate his success! For more information on the STAR program, contact Jean Hennon at jhennon@preferredbehavioral.org.

Our highly regarded school based programs in Brick and Lakewood, along with all of the other school based mental health programs in New Jersey, have been eliminated due to state budget cuts. We have until September 30th to advocate for reinstatement of this funding. Now, more than ever, our children need mental health services and these programs have proven direct, immediate, and long-term benefits. You can help. Sign this petition started by PBHG School Based Counselor Nick Spanola – https://bit.ly/2EUchV2 and take a look at other ways to advocate to our legislators and the media here (thanks to New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. for putting these resources together.) https://bit.ly/2Dee3Q8. Please share! Read Justin’s impact story here: https://bit.ly/3hKzxTZ Here are some facts about the School Based Programs in New Jersey: School Based Youth Services Programs (SBYSP) first began in 1987 as a pilot with 12 programs. Today, there are 91 programs in all 21 counties. Preferred Behavioral Health Group manages 4 programs: Brick Township High School, Brick Memorial High School, Veterans Memorial Middle School, and Lakewood High School. SBYSP operates 12-months a year, including school breaks, and after-school hours to student enrichment programs and counseling. SBYSP is completely free and confidential. In addition to providing crisis intervetion, suicide screening, substance abuse screening, individual counseling, group counseling, class presentations, peer leadership, summer transition programming for incoming freshmen, and monthly youth prevention campaigns, SBYSP links students/families to other community resources providing a safety net outside of school hours. SBYSP maintains a Community Liaison Board group of stakeholders from various local and state officials, agency providers, school staff, students, and parents. The major source of referrals to SBYSP are made from Guidance departments freeing them up to conduct scheduling, college planning, testing, and scholarship responsibilities.   Last fiscal year (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020) Brick SBYSP provided counseling to a total of 937 students out of 3671 total students in the 3 hosting schools which equates to approximately 25% of the student population in those buildings overall.  Over 3000 total students participated in another format of our programming known as an “event.” Lakewood High School SBYSP counselled 350 students (27%). During the COVID homeschool quarantine, all 4 SBYSP sites provided daily outreach and telehealth individual and group counseling.

Lakewood. June 2020. Preferred Behavioral Health Group is pleased to announce Grace Hanlon as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees.  Grace has been a valuable member of the board for many years and will now take on this leadership role.  Grace succeeds Sr. Rosemary Jeffries, President Emeritus of Georgian Court University, who served as the chair for the past two years.  Grace brings a diverse background to her duties as the former Executive Director of the NJ Division of Travel & Tourism.  She also founded the multi-media production company Edvantage Media Group, which produces broadcast-quality educational and parenting programs.  As a passionate advocate for helping the local community, Grace serves on the Board of Trustees for Jersey Shore Partnership and the Red Bank Visitor Center; as well as being a volunteer and supporter of the Dynamite Youth Center. Grace and her family live in Fair Haven.  Grace is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, where she received a Master’s Degree in Psychology.  “As Preferred Behavioral Health Group continues to grow and support over 30,000 children, teens, adults, and seniors through more than 70 comprehensive programs, Grace’s role will be critical in strengthening the strategic direction or our organization to help those in the community struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders.” Mary Pat Angelini, CEO Preferred Behavioral Health Group is the leading behavioral healthcare organization in central New Jersey. For over 40 years, Preferred Behavioral Health Group of NJ has supported those in need of guidance, counseling, assistance and treatment.  Our mission is to deliver quality and compassionate behavioral health services to individuals and families all the time through a Trauma-Informed Care philosophy and approach.  For more information about Preferred Behavioral Health Group, the services available and/or ways to help, please go to:  www.preferredbehavioral.org