We’re happy to announce that R&J has been named the marketing agency of record for Care Plus NJ, Inc. (“CarePlus”), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides comprehensive, recovery-focused integrated primary and mental health care, as well as substance abuse rehabilitation services to individuals in the Northern New Jersey area. R&J will create and implement a comprehensive multi-media strategy to help properly position CarePlus as Northern New Jersey’s premier primary, behavioral and mental health care provider among key constituencies within the field.

R&J will develop and execute an integrated communications plan focusing on public relations and media relations, to promote the programs and services offered at CarePlus, including their CarePlus Workforce Solutions, Inc. (CPWS) program and the upcoming opening of Paradigm Therapeutic Day School. As part of the integrated communications plan, R&J will develop a comprehensive thought leadership campaign to increase visibility surrounding CarePlus Chief Executive Officer, Joe Masciandaro and other key executives. The scope of work will also include social media management, and creative services surrounding CarePlus’s annual report. This targeted campaign will help CarePlus make a positive impact on those with mental health needs and position CarePlus as a leader in behavioral healthcare and mental health in Northern New Jersey.

With sites across Northern New Jersey, CarePlus offers primary, behavioral and mental healthcare services to adults and children on a voluntary, outpatient basis. Founded in 1978, CarePlus was originally established as Mid-Bergen Community Mental Health Center, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation, with the vision to provide “high quality, low cost” mental health services to the surrounding community. Since its inception, CarePlus has experienced substantial growth, now operating at 24 sites ranging from outpatient centers, residential facilities, with offices at both local hospitals and community offices, all dedicated to a continuum of care focusing on “healthy minds, healthy bodies.” Just last year, CarePlus became the operator of New Bridge Medical Center in a partnership with Integrity House and Rutgers University. Formerly known as Bergen Regional Medical Center, the facility seeks to establish a national model for integrated care.

With 35 years of experience, CarePlus possesses extensive knowledge and understanding of mental and behavioral health care, positioning them as a leader in the development of new and innovative programs to meet the complex, changing needs of the community. In 2002, CarePlus implemented co-occurring disorder services to meet the mental health needs of the population, a condition in which an individual with substance use disorder also possesses an underlying mental, behavioral or general health disorder. They also initiated the CarePlus Workforce Solutions, Inc. (CPWS) program in 1996, a social enterprise that creates employment opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged individuals who provide products and services to individual customers and the business community. Another key initiative includes their growing partnership with schools throughout Northern New Jersey, offering students a collaborative school and clinical environment focused on psycho-education, skill-building and therapy services to help those with mental and behavioral issues succeed. Their increased clinical presence in schools has also paved the way for the Paradigm Therapeutic Day School, a new endeavor of CarePlus that will serve students ranging in age from 14-21 years who have been classified by their school districts as having behavioral and emotional disabilities.

“Our extensive experience with integrated healthcare, mental health and addiction recovery paired with our award-winning expertise in public relations, digital marketing and creative marketing services allows us to offer an informed, unique perspective,” said John Lonsdorf, President of R&J Strategic Communications. “We are looking forward to working with CarePlus to further solidify their reputation as a leading primary, mental and behavioral health care provider in Northern New Jersey, as well as foster awareness surrounding key initiatives that will prove to be beneficial to the mental and behavioral health of our community.”