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MHADA hears updates: Hope One outreach, jail MAT coordinator hire, ARRIVE/EISS caseloads and reentry data work
Summary
At its March 11 meeting MHADA received operational updates: Hope One remains on full schedule, a new MAT coordinator was hired at the county jail, ARRIVE and EISS reported recent caseloads, and reentry coordinators are working with Rutgers on a uniform data system.
Cape May County MHADA members on March 11 heard program updates on outreach, jail services and reentry coordination. Mary Rybicki reported that Hope One is operating on its full schedule and conducts community outreach twice weekly. Planning for the Operation Helping Hands summer camp is underway for 2025, Rybicki said. The Prosecutor’s Office will host two Crisis Intervention Training sessions in 2025, one in May and another in October. K. Faldetta reported Coastal Prep currently serves six students, three of whom are in-county; two of the six are planning to return to their home districts at school-year end. Kelly Benigno reported that Nikki Nichols will take over Cape May County’s OFRT (Opioid Fatality Review Team) and that OFRT has liaised with Shore Medical OORP in Atlantic County to share Cape May County resources during the interim. C. Drake reported the Cape May County jail has hired a new medication-assisted treatment (MAT) coordinator, and she said jail staff continue to assist inmates with FAFSA applications, renewing licenses, phones and bus passes. The jail completed a memorandum of understanding with the Mid‑Atlantic Resource Center for additional resources, Drake said, and county Reentry Coordinators are collaborating with Rutgers University on a uniform data management system. Crisis services reports showed ARRIVE (Arrive Together) serviced seven individuals in the prior month, five of whom had substance use disorder issues; some ARRIVE referrals were sent to EISS for continuing services. In February, EISS recorded 11 new admissions and reported 45 patients currently enrolled; Acenda increased advanced practice nurse hours in EISS to accommodate same‑day services. Participants noted the county is monitoring federal and state funding priorities carefully as part of stewardship of opioid settlement funds. The Chamber Leadership Class presentation marking its 10th anniversary was highlighted; presenters included Tonia Ahern, Carla Drake, Cooper EMS and Kelly Benigno discussing local impacts of the opioid epidemic. No formal votes were taken on these operational updates.
