Family Support Services
Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) is a government-funded, county-wide support service for Bergen County families who have an adult relative with a mental illness.
Program Goal
The goal of IFSS is to improve the functioning and quality of life for families living with mental illness. IFSS helps families develop critical knowledge, skills, and community support that can assist them by providing a variety of services that can be delivered in the family home, at the IFSS office, or at other sites throughout the county.
Specialized Services
- Individual family consultations available in choice of locations
- Respite care available for primary caregivers
- Educational workshops
- Weekly support groups for family members who are 18+ years old
- Mental health referrals
- Community resources
- Strategies for coping
- Problem-solving skills
- Transportation to various programs (subject to availability)
- 24-hour telephone access to a mental health professional: 201.646.0973
Most IFSS services are free of charge.
Overnight respite care fee is $25 (may be waived, depending on circumstances).
IFSS operates 7 days a week.
Office hours:
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For more information, call 201.646.0333 and ask to be connected to Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS).
The Early Intervention Program at Bergen Regional Medical Center
Early Intervention Program is part of Bergen County’s Intensive Family Support Services program. It is designed to engage and assist families in the county who are faced with a psychiatric screening or a hospitalization of their loved one. There is no cost for early intervention services.
Program Overview
CBH Care’s Early Intervention Specialist is stationed in the Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’s Emergency Room in Paramus.
The Early Intervention Specialist addresses the questions and concerns of family members at a time of crisis when they are often confused, worried, and overwhelmed. The Early Intervention Program acts as an advocate for the family and the relative experiencing the mental health crisis, and they also serve as a liaison between the family and the Bergen New Bridge medical staff. Once the crisis has ended, Early Intervention Program offers the family referrals to support programs and other community resources that can provide them with continued assistance.
Program Goals
- Decrease the family’s stress level during a mental health crisis.
- Increase the family’s awareness of community-based mental health support programs and treatment options.
- Link the family with service providers appropriate for their individual needs.
Hours of Operation:
Early Intervention Program operates in the Bergen New Bridge Medical Center’s Emergency Room:
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesdays – Thursdays 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Early Intervention Specialist can be reached at 201.707.0647 during business hours.
For more information, call 201.646.0333 and ask to be connected to IFSS.