Mental and Behavioral Health Services for NJ Children

For children and youth in New Jersey, many mental health and behavioral services are organized through the Children's System of Care, and PerformCare is the central point of access at 1-877-652-7624, 24 hours a day. If there is immediate danger, call 911. If you need urgent in-person help with a behavioral crisis, ask PerformCare about Mobile Response.

• Immediate danger: call 911.
• Urgent behavioral or emotional crisis that is not an immediate safety emergency: contact PerformCare and ask about Mobile Response.
• Ongoing needs such as therapy, care management or in-home supports: contact PerformCare, or ask your health plan about outpatient options.

• Mobile Response and Stabilization Services for a behavioral crisis at home, school or in the community
• Care management through a Care Management Organization for children with more complex or longer-term needs
• Family Support Organizations, which offer peer support from other parents and caregivers
• Outpatient therapy and psychiatric services through your health coverage
• In-home behavioral supports, when a team determines they are appropriate

Which of these applies depends on a screening or assessment. Being referred is not the same as being enrolled, and Vicabell cannot determine what your child qualifies for.

1. 1Decide the level of urgency

   Use the list above. When in doubt about safety, call 911.

2. 2Write down what has been happening

   Dates, what happened, how long it lasted, what helped, and anything that changed recently.

3. 3Call PerformCare

   Explain what is happening in plain language. Ask what happens next, what they are recommending, and how you will be contacted.

4. 4Ask about school-side supports separately

   If most difficulties happen at school, the school team is a separate process. Ask the school what supports exist and put requests in writing.

5. 5Keep a contact log

   Record who you spoke to and when. If you do not hear back when promised, call again and reference the earlier call.

• Based on what I described, what services are you recommending, and why?
• What happens next, who will contact me, and when?
• What is the difference between what Mobile Response can do and what care management can do?
• Is there a waitlist, and what should we do in the meantime?
• Who can help me coordinate between school, doctors and services?
• What should I do if things get worse tonight?

• Vicabell is not a crisis line and cannot provide clinical guidance.
• A call for help is not a diagnosis, and a diagnosis is not automatic enrollment in services.
• Behavioral difficulties at school are handled through the school process in addition to any clinical services.
• Program availability and response times vary; confirm details directly.

• If this is an emergency, call 911. Otherwise, write down what has been happening and call PerformCare at 1-877-652-7624 to ask what the next step is for your child.

• Understanding Mobile Response in New Jersey
• Understanding PerformCare and NJ Children's System of Care
• What Is a Care Management Organization (CMO)?
• Find ResourcesCounty organizations and statewide programs.

• PerformCare New Jersey Contracted system administrator for the New Jersey Children's System of Care. Available 24 hours a day at 1-877-652-7624.
• New Jersey Children's System of Care (Department of Children and Families) State information about children's behavioral health and I/DD services.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support, 24 hours a day.