Integrity House, one of the largest nonprofit providers of substance use disorder and mental health treatment in the state of New Jersey, with programs in Kearny, Newark, Secaucus, Toms River, Morris Plains, and Paramus, was named “Champion Provider of the Year” by the New Jersey Association of Mental Health & Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) at their Spring Conference for 2024, held on April 9th and tenth.
Debra Wentz, President and Chief Executive Officer of NJAMHAA, while presenting the award, praised Integrity House President and CEO Robert Budsock and his team as “inspiring and impactful advocates.” Integrity House has been addressing the issues of substance use disorder and mental health challenges directly through publishing influential opinion editorials and working closely with NJAMHAA on critical advocacy initiatives. In presenting the award, Wentz also recognized the contributions of Kathleen Dedrick, Integrity House’s Chief Financial Officer, who led NJAMHAA’s annual salary survey multiple times and contributed extensively to their CFO and Addictions Practice Groups. Additionally, Integrity House Chief Clinical Officer Eman Gibson was commended for providing invaluable insights and data that reinforced the impact of the association’s advocacy.
“In recent years, Integrity [House] has promoted strategies to increase access to care for severely under-resourced individuals, expanded awareness and understanding of the opioid epidemic, launched several new services, and contributed to increased wellness for all individuals and communities by participating and taking on leadership roles on key committees,” said Wentz.
Integrity House has been providing comprehensive, high-quality substance use disorder and mental health treatment for over 55 years, operating licensed inpatient residential, residential, and outpatient treatment programs across the state. Integrity House’s recently launched services include Mobile Community Care, Newark’s first mobile substance use treatment program that serves those who may encounter challenges to traditional brick-and-mortar treatment; a contingency management program in Newark and Toms River that focuses on enhancing treatment retention for individuals with stimulant use disorder (StUD); a Creative Arts Initiative designed to complement and enhance clinical treatment; and a residential treatment program for pregnant and postpartum women.
“Substance use disorder and mental health are intertwined challenges that require holistic, compassionate, and evidence-based approaches for effective treatment and support,” said Gibson. “I am grateful for our passionate and dedicated staff and their invaluable contributions to the work we do. It is in their name that I humbly accept the “Champion Provider of the Year” award.”