Care Plus NJ Inc. said Aug. 23 it was awarded a $250,000 grant by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to launch a counseling program for the state’s opiate addiction treatment professionals.

The program – Opiate Provider Treatment for Individualized Care and Support, or OPTICS – will provide counseling and wellness services for peer recovery specialists and opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment providers throughout New Jersey.

The OPTICS Program was established to support peer recovery specialists and OUD treatment professionals who may feel overwhelmed and overextended as a result of the complexity and significance of assisting individuals in their ongoing recovery journeys.

“As mental health and addiction recovery service providers ourselves, at CarePlus NJ we understand the challenges of working with high-risk populations and the impact that grief, trauma, and loss can have on our ability to continue the important and meaningful work that we do,” said Jenna Paparozzi, program director at CarePlus NJ. “We are grateful to be able to provide these vital support services to our peers in the addiction recovery community so they can continue to effectively engage and support individuals with substance use disorders in their recovery.”

Through this initiative, CarePlus NJ will provide professional counseling and wellness services by licensed clinical professionals to a combined total of 150 peer specialists and OUD treatment professionals employed within DMHAS-funded programs, recovery centers and community peer initiatives.

The services provided through this initiative will aim to address a variety of challenges peer specialists and OUD treatment professionals face, including but not limited to: trauma, burnout and compassion fatigue; emotional and behavioral triggers that may impact their own recovery; maintaining ethical, professional and legal standards; strain on job demands; professional development; role confusion; staff discrimination and prejudice regarding the peer-specialist role; setting and maintaining boundaries; and understanding and providing accurate information on the use of naloxone and medication FDA- approved to treat a substance use disorder.

Throughout the grant period, CarePlus NJ’s clinicians will meet providers and peer specialists in person, either at its Paramus headquarters, at their organization’s location, or virtually via telehealth.

Services will include individual assessments, evidence-based and/or best practice treatment modalities, acute and/or ongoing therapy, self-care plans, and wellness activities that support personal and professional growth.