Targeted Case Management (TCM) in mental health is a specialized, patient-centered form of case management designed for individuals—children, adolescents, or adults—living with serious mental illness or emotional disorders. It’s not about general population check-ins; instead, TCM focuses on those who require consistent support in accessing medical care, behavioral health services, housing, social services, education, employment, and community integration.
In practice, TCM staff—typically at the bachelor’s or master’s level—conduct comprehensive assessments, craft tailored care plans, coordinate services (especially at high-impact moments, such as hospital discharge or housing instability), regularly follow up to adjust as needs evolve, and act as steadfast advocates and support liaisons.
Who Qualifies for TCM in New Jersey?
New Jersey’s TCM is offered to:
- Adults with serious mental illness (SMI), including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, severe personality disorders—especially those with persistent hospitalizations, homelessness, or frequent crises.
- Children and adolescents diagnosed with serious emotional disturbances or significant behavioral health challenges.
- Veterans experiencing homelessness or mental health struggles can access programs like PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness).
- Individuals transitioning out of psychiatric hospitalization require enhanced supports.
- Persons within the criminal justice system who could benefit from community stability supports.
What Services Are Included?
Under TCM in New Jersey, qualified individuals receive:
- Comprehensive assessments to identify medical, psychiatric, housing, vocational, educational, social, and legal needs.
- Individual care plans, co-developed with clients, outlining goals, timelines, and supports.
- Linkage to resources: referrals to therapists, psychiatrists, housing search assistance, benefits enrollment, vocational training, or peer support groups.
- Coordination, ensuring communication across multiple systems—hospitals, schools, social services, housing providers.
- Ongoing monitoring, with routine check-ins to address new obstacles or adjust strategies.
- Crisis intervention and advocacy, especially during transitions like re-entry post-hospitalization or interactions with the judicial system.
- Short- to medium-term frameworks—many programs run for 6–12 months, though certain complex cases may continue longer.
Programs & Providers Across New Jersey
State-level Coordination
The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) oversees a network of community-based mental health initiatives offering TCM.
Local Provider Examples
- Acenda Health operates Integrated Case Management Services (ICMS) in Gloucester and Cape May counties, offering 12 months of intensive in-community support.
- CPC Integrated Health in Monmouth County offers ICMS, PACT (Program for Assertive Community Treatment), supportive housing, crisis intervention, and more.
- Legacy Treatment Services, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), provides targeted TCM for adults at risk of homelessness or re-hospitalization, and for young people through its Youth Services.
- Jersey City Medical Center acts as a designated ICMS provider in Hudson County, offering mobile outreach, case management, and supportive residential programs.
Related Support Programs
PATH Program
A federally funded initiative focused on assisting homeless individuals with chronic mental illness, including veterans, PATH provides outreach, housing linkage, and TCM.
PerformCare & Children’s System of Care
PerformCare’s statewide system helps families and youth access crisis response, behavioral health, and developmental services. Although not branded “TCM,” it performs care management and coordination for children.
Peer-Supported & Warmline Resources
Agencies like the Mental Health Association of NJ offer peer-run warmlines (for ongoing emotional support), NJMentalHealthCares, and NJ Connect for Recovery—to complement TCM with peer mentorship, advocacy, and referral support.
Why TCM Matters
- Bridges system gaps, offering a single point of access amidst fragmented mental health, housing, medical, and social services.
- Strengthens stability and independence, reducing the likelihood of rehospitalizations, homelessness, and involvement with the justice system.
- Empowers clients as they design personalized plans, supported by trained professionals and peer specialists.
- Prioritizes community integration—TCM isn’t facility-based; it meets clients in their homes, neighborhoods, and local institutions.
How to Access TCM
- Eligibility: Be a resident of the relevant NJ county, with an SMI diagnosis or serious emotional disorder
- Referral: May come from hospitals, crisis units, schools, shelters, probation officers, self, or service providers.
- Assessment & Enrollment: The provider conducts an intake assessment to determine the individual’s needs and the appropriate program level (e.g., intensive vs. resource coordination).
- Service Plan Launch: The client and case manager co-develop a care plan and schedule follow-up.
- Review & Transition: Plans are regularly reviewed and eventually transitioned to lower-intensity care or wraparound services as stability increases.
Finding TCM Resources in New Jersey
- Search “Integrated Case Management” or “Targeted Case Management” along with your county (e.g., “Gloucester County ICMS”) to find local providers; OR let a LifeSpan nurse guide the client and family to the proper provider organization and assure a quality outcome.
- Visit DMHAS’s website or county-level Community Support Services directories for official program lists.
- Contact PerformCare (1-877-652-7624) if connecting a young person or family to Children’s System of Care services.
- Reach out to the Mental Health Association of NJ and use NJMentalHealthCares (1-866-202-4357) to connect with support and referrals.
New Jersey’s network of Targeted Case Management serves as a linchpin within the behavioral health landscape—bridging crucial gaps between medical care, community stability, housing, education, and vocational support. Through tailored, goal-driven outreach, NJ’s TCM programs empower individuals with serious mental health challenges to remain in their communities, stay connected, and thrive with dignity and independence.