Dear Friends:

Addiction services are essential services. Integrity House remains open across all levels of care and locations. We are accepting new admissions.

While the world is experiencing the unprecedented magnitude of COVID-19, of which Integrity House is not insulated, I am optimistic that better days are ahead. All of us at Integrity House are working together to deliver high-quality services despite very challenging circumstances. I am so proud of all that we are continuing to achieve together. Together, we can do anything. I hope that these updates bring some joy your way.

On Wednesday, 3/25 Integrity House learned that it has been selected to receive the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies’ (NJAMHAA) Outstanding Provider of the Year Award. We look forward to celebrating soon.
Last month, the 2019 Integrity House Annual Report was completed. Unfortunately, we cannot do a major mailer at this time. We are excited to share AR 19 with you electronically. Click here to see the report.

Integrity House continues to use its position to advocate for those who need addiction and mental health services, even in times of social isolation.

To ensure that safety and awareness are guiding recovery for the hundreds of people who are relying on Integrity House, we have updated our response to include the following policies.

A quarantine plan that adheres to CDC guidelines has been created in the event that a program participant in any of our residential programs becomes COVID-19 positive.
Since 3/31, all Integrity House staffers have been required to undergo screening measures when they report to work. These measures include a temperature check and a questionnaire.
Our outpatient programs in Hudson County, Newark, Morris Plains, and Toms River are delivering hybrid services, including in-person and telehealth appointments and programming. Admission inquiries at the outpatient levels may be submitted online or over the phone. Contact information for all outpatient programs is listed below.
The department overseeing residential admissions continues enhanced screening measures, including COVID-19 symptom checks. The admissions department requires supporting documentation of health status from referral sources. Exclusionary criteria for admission includes anyone over the age of 60, or with the following health conditions: diabetes, asthma, respiratory disease, heart disease, cancer, and/or immunodeficiency disorders.
Since 3/23, all individuals admitted into short or long-term residential programs have been placed on a seven-day observation period which includes a daily check for COVID-19 symptoms by a registered nurse.
Since 3/23, halfway house programs have only accepted admissions from other internal levels of care.
Since 3/23, most non-essential, administrative staffers have been working from home in adherence to social distancing recommendations. Direct service staffers continue to report to various Integrity House locations. Staffers and participants who are sick have been encouraged to stay home.
On Thursday, 3/19 Integrity House launched an internal marketing campaign to reinforce outstanding hygiene. All staffers are required to wash their hands every time they enter any Integrity House building, including at the start of the workday, upon returning from lunch, etc. Staffers have been urged to wash their hands regularly throughout the day, and follow other sensible hygiene and spacing recommendations.
All external visits, including family and child visits, continue to be suspended until further notice. We recognize that family support is critical to recovery and encourage communication through phone calls. This does not include admissions-related visits or screenings.
Integrity House regularly cleans and disinfects all of its buildings, both programmatic and administrative. Staffers are required to disinfect their workstations at the start and end of the workday.
Mealtimes for participants of residential programs continue to be thoughtfully staggered to keep the number of individuals in our cafeterias at a minimum at all times. Additional quality control measures are underway to promote social distancing.
Provisions, including food, water, medication, cleaning supplies, soap, etc., have been ordered and added to our reserves.
All student internship programs with our partnering higher education institutions continue to be suspended until further notice.

Integrity House is closely monitoring and following the recommendations of the federal, state, and local governments. Each day, we are learning more from our elected and appointed officials. Our senior leadership team maintains regular contact with the NJ Department of Health and the NJ Department of Human Services. We are prepared to tailor our response to consistently adhere to public health requirements and will keep you informed on any changes as they happen.

In my last update, I mentioned that our annual Golf Classic has been canceled. Fundraising events are a critical revenue source for Integrity House. Funds garnered from events, like the Golf Classic, support recovery services, medication, and women and children’s supportive housing. We really need your help. Please donate to Integrity House today.

Thank you and stay hopeful.

Robert J. Budsock
President and Chief Executive Officer