TLC of NJ

The TLC for Youth (TLC) is an interactive, statewide network that offers collaboration and support to professionals working with school age youth. The dual mission of the TLC is excellence in both suicide prevention and trauma response assistance to schools following the sudden losses due to suicide, homicide, accident and illness. This is accomplished through county, regional and statewide conferences, training, consultation and technical assistance. The purpose is to ensure that those working with youth from a variety of disciplines and programs have up to date knowledge about mental health issues, suicide prevention, trauma response and resiliency enhancement.

The TLC is funded by the NJ Department of Children and Families. There is a TLC coordinator in each county. These county coordinators provide meetings throughout the year bringing together school personnel, mental health clinicians, juvenile justice personnel, law enforcement officials, social service agencies and child welfare workers. The meetings are effective forums for reviewing crisis events, identifying service needs, and providing professional development through the inclusion of an educational presentation.

The TLC Coordinators also work within their counties to either develop a Lead Response Team (LRT) or to support an existing one. These teams remain available to assist schools when needed following a traumatic loss event. The members of the team are trained in Post Traumatic Stress Management (PTSM) for youth.

How Can the TLC Benefit Your School and Community?

Provide county coalition meetings for the purpose of disseminating information and reviewing best practices in the areas of mental health, trauma and suicide prevention. Educator Professional Development Credits are available.

Coordinate a two hour Suicide Awareness Training for Educators to fulfill the professional development requirement.

Provide training in Post Traumatic Stress Management (PTSM) for school crisis team members to assist in implementing the postvention provisions in the NJ Dept of Education's document titled School Safety and Security Manual: Best Practices Guidelines.

Provide regional training workshops in the Chronological Assessment of Suicidal Events (CASE) Approach. (developed by Shawn Christopher Shea, MD). Half day workshop provides front line counselors and clinicians with state of the art skills necessary to tackle one of the most difficult clinical situations facing them: gathering valid data about ideation, plan and intent during a suicide assessment. These trainings are free.

Provide schools for no charge, assistance from the TLC's Lead Response Teams (LRT) in the event of a traumatic loss. Assistance can range from phone consultation and support to the provision of on-site services.

Consult with schools and communities regarding evidenced based suicide curricula. This consultation can help schools fulfill the requirements of the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards.

To get to the TLC web site simply click on the Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth just below this:

http://ubhc.rutgers.edu/tlc/docs/CountyCoordinators.pdf

Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth

County Coordinators:

Atlantic County:

Patty Weeks, MA- 609-625-6051

patty.weeks@stockton.edu

The Richard Stockton College of NJ

Bergen County:

Sue Heguy, LCSW 201-797-2660 x 129

sueh@careplusnj.org

Care Plus NJ, Inc

Burlington County:

Elfrieda Francis 609-265-5538

efrancis@co.burlington.nj.us

Camden County:

Barbara Maronski, LSW (609) 230-8933

bmaronski@centerffs.org

Cape May County:

Chris Miller, MA

(609) 465-4100 x 141 cell: 609-374-2913

cmiller@capemaycounseling.org

Cape May Counseling Services

Cumberland County:

Elvira Smith, MS, CSW- (856)- 305-2138

esmith.tlc@gmail.com

Cumberland County Guidance Center

Essex County:

Arlene O'Connell, MA, LPC, (973) 239-5382

aoclpc@aol.com

UMDNJ University Behavioral HealthCare

Gloucester County:

Barbara Maronski, LSW (609)- 230-8933

bmaronski@centerffs.org

Hudson County:

Silvana Gomez, MA (201) 915-2268

SGomez@Libertyhcs.org

Jersey City Medical Center

Hunterdon County:

Ursula Kasperek 908-788-6401 x3109

kasperek.ursula@hunterdonhealthcare.org

Mercer County:

Steve Olsen (609) 278-7924

solsen@mercercounty.org

Funded by the NJ Dept of Health and Senior Services

Middlesex County:

Sue Coyle, MA

908-392-8664

tlc .middlesexcounty@gmail.com

Monmouth County:

Heather Soto732-956-7782

hsoto@cymca.org

Morris County:

Mary Vineis 973-686-2228

mvineis@newbridge.org

Ocean County:

Karen Bright, MA, LPC (732) 773-8087

Oceantic@aol.com

Kimball Medical Center

Passaic County:

Daniel Silitsky, PhD (732) 718-3535

drslits47@aol.com

UMDNJ University Behavioral HealthCare

Salem County:

Jennifer Kugler 856-881-8689 ext 202

jkugler@robinsnestinc.org

Somerset County:

Brett Peppe

Richard Hall Community Men Health Ctr

908-253-3116

peppe@co.somerset.nj.us

Sussex County:

Daniel Silitsky, PhD (732) 718-3535

drslits47@aol.com

UMDNJ University Behavioral HealthCare

Union County:

Krizia Jimenez-Mdrano, LSW

908-994-7148 Cell: 908-209-0539

email: kjimenez@trinitas.org

Trinitas Regional Medical Center

Warren County:

Annette Smith, LPC (908) 454-4470 x301

asmith@fgcwc.org

Warren Family Guidance Center

How can the TLC Benefit Your School and Community:

Coordinate a two hour suicide awareness training for educators
Provide Post Traumatic Stress Management (PTSM) for school crisis team members to assist in postvention
Provide regional training workshops in Chronological Assessment of Suicidal Events (CASE) Approach
Provide schools at no charge with the TLC's Lead Response Teams (LRT) in the event of a traumatic loss. Assistance can range from phone consultation and support to the provision of on site services.
Consult with schools and communities regarding evidenced-based suicide curricula.

lisa@griefspeaks.com

(973) 985-4503