MHCNJ Monthly Connections

A Newsletter from Mental Healthcare Connections of New Jersey, LLC

Issue #2 | October 2025

A Message from the Clinical Director

Dear Community,

As we enter October — a month dedicated to emotional awareness and anti-bullying advocacy — we are thrilled to share the exciting growth and partnerships taking place at MHCNJ. Late September marked our official expansion into the Middlesex County Care Management Organization / Mobile Response & Stabilization Services (MRSS) network, followed by a new partnership in October with the Tri-County Care Management Organization / MRSS, serving Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren Counties. These partnerships allow MHCNJ to bring compassionate, community-based care to more youth and families throughout New Jersey. To support this expansion, we are actively staffing new Intensive In-Community Clinicians (IICs) and Behavioral Assistants (BAs) interested in serving these regions. Our continued mission remains the same: to build meaningful connections and promote kindness, empathy, and empowerment across every home and classroom we touch.

Warm regards,

Sean Lee, LCSW

Owner & Clinical Director

Program Spotlight: Behavioral Assistant (BA) Training Success

We are proud to announce that Lisa Ward, BA, and Jessica Matteo, BA, have successfully completed their Year 1 BA Training Certification through the Department of Children and Families. Their dedication reflects MHCNJ’s growing commitment to high-quality behavioral support. As certified Behavioral Assistants, they bring renewed focus to emotional regulation, coping skills, and strength-based interventions — helping youth thrive in both home and community settings.

For referrals or inquiries: referrals@mhconnectnj.org

Mental Health & Community Empowerment: Anti-Bullying Awareness Month

October is National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month, an opportunity to connect mental health with prevention and empowerment. When children learn to recognize others in need and practice uplifting moments of kindness and inclusion, they begin developing lifelong empathy and resilience. These lessons reach beyond the classroom — shaping emotionally aware adults who carry these values into the workplace and community. MHCNJ encourages schools and families to create safe spaces that celebrate kindness, courage, and connection. Together, we can teach children to triumph over adversity through compassion and understanding.

Team Highlight: Meet Alexis Sweet and Monique Rouse, IIC-Master’s Level Clinicians

Alexis Sweet will soon come on board as a new IIC Master’s Level Clinician that will be providing IIC services across Mercer County. With expertise in anxiety, depression, and behavioral health, she uses a strengths-based, creative, and trust-centered approach to support youth and families. Alexis’s focus on empowerment and collaboration aligns perfectly with MHCNJ’s mission to expand clinical-based treatment with the wraparound philosophy and approach that we practice.

We are thrilled to welcome Monique Rouse to the MHCNJ team as our new IIC Master’s Level Clinician, where she will be providing IIC services in Mercer County. Monique comes to us with a robust background in social work, having spent several years honing her skills in both case management and clinical settings.

Her diverse experience has equipped her with a deep understanding of the complexities of social services, and she is passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of those she serves. Monique is committed to continuous learning and professional growth, with a strong desire to work with various populations. She brings not only her expertise but also a genuine compassion for her clients, ensuring that she approaches each case with empathy and dedication.

Monique’s aspirations to expand her knowledge and experience in social services align perfectly with our mission at MHCNJ. We are excited to support her journey as she seeks to leverage her firsthand experience to further her career and reach her full potential. Please join us in welcoming Monique to our team; we are confident she will be an invaluable asset to our organization and the community we serve.

Partner Highlights: Building Stronger Community Connections

This month, we proudly spotlight our new county partnerships:

• Middlesex County Care Management Organization (CMO) & Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) — Expanding collaborative youth and family crisis support across Middlesex County.

• Tri-County Care Management Organization (CMO)— Serving Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren Counties with coordinated mental-health and stabilization care.

These partnerships reinforce MHCNJ’s goal of ensuring that no child or family falls through the cracks. By uniting with our CMO and MRSS partners, we continue to build a compassionate system that prioritizes timely, quality mental-health access statewide.

Community Connections Report:

MonmouthCares, Inc. (CMO) – Chad Majczan, Director of Community Relations & Resource Development, has reported that a Career Expo will be presented by Matt Stevens of the Monmouth Young Men Employment Network. Below are the details for the event:

• Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025

• Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Location: College Achieve Building, 3455 West Bangs Ave, Neptune

• Population: Boys, Grades 8 - 12

• Goal: Expose youth to various careers.

• Registration Link: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/9b35d2ec/UrPdhiZElEC1VrweoA-0uQ?u=https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfnAHZfDpq9E4__AQKZcWrR349R2MeeZD8nK726IfwDbAL6g/viewform 

Contact:

• Matt Stevens 

• 973.820.8999

• matt.stevens1@me.com

Important Dates & Announcements

• October 22, 2025 – Deadline for new IIC applicant submissions (Warren, Hunterdon, and Somerset, Monmouth, Middlesex & Mercer Counties)

• November 10, 2025 – Launch of the MHCNJ Community Connection newsletter expansion featuring partner spotlights!

• Ongoing – Recruiting IICs and BAs for Middlesex County and Tri-County Region (Hunterdon, Somerset & Warren)

Wellness Tip of the Month

Fall into Balance 🍂

Take time to slow down, breathe, and connect:

• Share one positive moment with your child each evening.

• Practice 4-7-8 breathing to relieve stress.

• Encourage acts of kindness and recognition at home and school. Small consistent moments build resilience, balance, and emotional wellness.

Stay Connected / Join Our Team

Phone: (856) 502-4777

Email: info@mhconnectnj.org

Website: mhconnectnj.org

Interested in partnering with MHCNJ? Contact info@mhconnectnj.org

Now hiring IICs and BAs to serve Middlesex County CMO / MRSS and Tri-County CMO / MRSS (Hunterdon, Somerset, Warren).

Follow MHCNJ for updates, resources, and community highlights.

Together, we are building brighter connections.