NJ Services
What Is a Care Management Organization (CMO)?
A Care Management Organization, usually called a CMO, is part of New Jersey's Children's System of Care (CSOC). CMOs provide comprehensive care coordination and planning for youth and families with moderate to complex behavioral, emotional, developmental, substance-use, or related needs. Every New Jersey county is served by a CMO. Families access CMO services through PerformCare New Jersey.
Last reviewed: August 28, 2026
Quick answer
Think of a CMO as a team that helps a family organize and coordinate the different pieces of their child's care.
A Care Manager works with the youth and family to understand their strengths and needs, develop an individualized plan, connect with appropriate services and community supports, and coordinate with the people involved in the child's life.
The goal is not for the CMO to replace the family, therapist, doctor, or school. The goal is to help everyone work together around the youth and family.
What does a Care Manager do?
A Care Manager may:
- Meet regularly with the youth and family
- Help identify the youth's and family's strengths, needs, and goals
- Help build a Child Family Team (CFT)
- Coordinate Child Family Team meetings
- Develop and update an Individual Service Plan (ISP)
- Help connect the family with appropriate therapeutic, behavioral, community, and other supports
- Coordinate with providers and, with appropriate consent, schools and other systems involved with the youth
- Help identify natural supports such as relatives, friends, mentors, or community members
- Develop and review plans with the family as needs change
- Help the family prepare for eventually transitioning out of intensive care management
CMOs use a Wraparound approach, which means planning should be individualized, family-centered, team-based, strength-based, culturally responsive, and focused on the family's priorities and goals.
What is a Child Family Team?
The Child Family Team (CFT) brings together people who can help support the youth and family.
Depending on the family's situation, this could include the youth, parent or caregiver, Care Manager, therapists, other providers, relatives, friends, community supports, and—with the family's permission—school personnel or other professionals.
The youth and family's voice should be central to the planning process.
What is an Individual Service Plan?
The Individual Service Plan (ISP) is the family's coordinated plan for addressing identified needs and working toward agreed-upon goals.
The Care Manager and Child Family Team develop and review the plan together. The plan may include formal services as well as family, community, and natural supports.
Does the CMO provide therapy?
Generally, the CMO's primary role is care management and coordination, rather than acting as the child's therapist.
The Care Manager can help coordinate referrals and services and communicate with members of the Child Family Team.
How do I get a CMO?
Families do not normally enroll directly with their county CMO.
Start by contacting PerformCare New Jersey, the single point of access for New Jersey's Children's System of Care.
PerformCare: 1-877-652-7624. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
PerformCare can assess the situation and determine the appropriate level of support. If CMO-level care management is appropriate, the family can be referred to the CMO serving their county.
Is a CMO the same as my child's insurance care manager?
No.
A New Jersey Children's System of Care Care Management Organization (CMO) is different from a health insurance Managed Care Organization (MCO).
Families may interact with both, but they have different roles.
Helpful questions to ask your Care Manager
- How often will we meet?
- What is the best way to reach you?
- What are the main goals in our current service plan?
- What services or supports are we currently working on?
- Who should be part of our Child Family Team?
- What should I do if my child's needs change?
- What paperwork or evaluations should I keep available?
Find Your CMO by County
Every New Jersey county is served by a Care Management Organization (CMO). Some CMOs serve one county, while others serve several counties.
Verified August 2026
Not sure where to start? Call PerformCare at 1-877-652-7624, available 24/7.
Vicabell provides educational resource information and is not affiliated with the State of New Jersey, PerformCare, or the Children's System of Care. Program requirements and services can change. Always confirm current information with the official agency.
Last reviewed: August 28, 2026
This guide is for educational purposes and does not replace medical, legal, educational, or insurance advice. Programs, eligibility requirements, provider availability, and insurance coverage can change. Always verify information directly with the appropriate provider, school district, insurance company, or government agency.