Former chauffer is back in the driver’s seat
As an executive chauffer for many years, Bernard J. traveled many roads.
However, for this 59-year-old man who battled Paranoid Schizophrenia, it was the road to recovery that perhaps was the most difficult to navigate.
The “friendly” voices in Bernard’s
head would give him directions to
destinations in northern New Jersey and New York where his employer needed to go, and at times he’d have to whisper to them, “I have this. I know where I’m going.”
Click to view success story
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About Us
With the strengthing of each individual comes the strengthening of our community as a whole…
SERV Behavioral Health System is a private statewide, not-for-profit behavioral healthcare organization serving adults and children working to recover from and cope with a serious mental illness or developmental disability. Remaining focused on personal dignity and quality of care, we utilize a continuum of services that are tailored to meet individual needs. It is our goal to assist our consumers to live and work successfully in their communities.
Housing and supportive services are integrated into a broad- based approach that addresses the most basic needs of each individual (food, shelter, clothing) while allowing them to safely adjust to living in the community and gradually build a more independent life.
The people we assist on a daily basis are your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your children. They are the people in your community. Each day we work to strengthen these individuals in an effort to help them to live successfully in the community, maintain regular work, or further their education while they struggle to cope with a serious disability. We do this because we know that with the strengthening of each individual comes the strengthening of our community as a whole.
SERV Recognized For Leading Role
in Mental Health Treatment
SERV Behavioral Health System has been honored for its commitment to providing innovative, effective treatment to those under our care.
The New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association presented SERV with a 2007 Wellness and Recovery Transformation Award for the agency’s “willingness to challenge the status quo and embrace profound change.”
“This is a very high honor for us, and we are all very excited about it,” said Gary Van Nostrand, SERV’s CEO and President. “What makes it so rewarding is that it is recognition for achieving a goal. We knew when we set out to do this that it would be a monumental task.”
The Wellness and Recovery philosophy empowers mental health consumers by giving them strong input into planning and carrying out their treatment. SERV began discussing the transformation approximately three years ago. UMDNJ’s Integrated Employment Institute was enlisted to help, and the effort was under way for SERV to become partners with its residents.
“We continue to refine our approach,” Van Nostrand said. “We have been very encouraged by the response of our residents. We are seeing that they are very willing to take ownership of their treatment plans and insist on changes they view as beneficial to their improvement.”
In 2006, SERV received the “Outstanding Provider of the Year” award from the New Jersey Association of Mental Health Agencies.
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