Substance use treatment services FAQs for families

Effective July 1, 2013, PerformCare began authorizing youth who meet specific criteria to receive substance use treatment (SUT) services from a limited number of providers who are contracted with the Department of Children & Families (DCF), New Jersey Children’s System of Care (CSOC). In January 2014, CSOC substance use treatment resources were expanded to include South Jersey Initiative (SJI) adolescent treatment services.

Effective July 1, 2015, co-occurring treatment services will be provided to all youth served in Long-Term (LT) and Short-Term (ST) Residential SUT programs. Furthermore, effective July 1, 2015, detox services will be available to youth from all 21 counties.

Knowing where to go for help for a substance use problem can be challenging. PerformCare New Jersey has made that very important step—reaching out for help—easier for you and your family. The following frequently asked questions are designed to help you understand how PerformCare can connect your family member to the help they need.




Who is eligible to receive substance use treatment services?

Currently, the services managed by PerformCare are limited to youth ages 13 up until their 18th birthday who meet clinical criteria for substance use treatment. Youth who are 18 years old may also qualify for CSOC substance use treatment services IF they are actively in high school or actively pursuing their education AND would be best served in an adolescent program.

The SUT Provider List Contracted Provider List (PDF) will identify which providers serve 18 year olds. Families and youth may contact us directly to confirm their eligibility for services. Youth can also be referred by the Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P), Juvenile Court, designated county substance use coordinators, Mobile Response & Stabilization Services (MRSS), Care Management Organizations (CMO), or one of the contracted substance use treatment provider agencies.

In addition to meeting the above-mentioned criteria, youth who are from the following eight southern counties also may qualify for substance use treatment via South Jersey Initiative (SJI) funding: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Cape May, Ocean, and Salem.



What happens if my child does not qualify for substance use treatment services through PerformCare?

PerformCare will provide your family with information about other options for access to substance use treatment within New Jersey.



What is PerformCare's role in managing substance use treatment services?

PerformCare is the Contracted System Administrator for the CSOC. PerformCare is available 24-hours, 7 days per week for youth and families experiencing behavioral, emotional, developmental/intellectual disability needs, and/or substance use treatment. PerformCare is the front door to a full array of behavioral health, intellectual/developmental disability, and substance use treatment services for New Jersey's children: a single point of entry for all, whether their advocate is a parent or a social service professional.

Through one simple telephone call, licensed clinicians are available to provide youth and their families with information and referrals based upon immediate needs. Some referrals include authorization of services for treatment funded by CSOC. PerformCare is authorized to make referrals for substance use assessments and as well as some outpatient and residential treatment programs throughout New Jersey. PerformCare can provide assistance, information, and referral to any youth and family that calls.



What if my child needs detoxification treatment?

PerformCare will conduct a screening to determine if there is a need for detoxification treatment. If your child meets criteria for detoxification treatment, PerformCare will warm transfer your child/referent to our contracted detoxification provider in order to quickly coordinate admission.



Does PerformCare accept court-ordered youth?

Yes. PerformCare will arrange for a substance use assessment to determine what intensity of service will meet the needs of the individual youth. Youth involved with juvenile court can be referred directly by their county’s identified court agent.



What types of substance use treatment services are authorized?

PerformCare authorizes Outpatient (Level I), Intensive Outpatient (Level 2.1), Partial Care (Level 2.5), Long-Term RTC (Level 3.5), Short-Term Residential (Level 3.7), and Medically Monitored High Intensity Inpatient-Withdrawal Management (Level 3.7WM). Service consideration is based upon the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria, also known as the ASAM patient placement criteria.

ASAM is the most widely used and comprehensive set of guidelines for treatment, continued stay, and transfer/discharge of individuals with addiction and co-occurring conditions. PerformCare also authorizes Needs Bio Psychosocial Assessments, which may be completed by a dually-credentialed Intensive In-Community (IIC) evaluator or a contracted substance use treatment provider. Upon assessment, a youth may also qualify for an array of behavioral health and/or IDD (Intellectual/Developmental Disability) services authorized through PerformCare.

All youth admitted to a Long-Term (LT) or Short-Term (ST) SUT residential program will be assigned to a Care Management Organization (CMO) immediately upon admission. CMO is a county-based, non-profit organization that is responsible for face-to-face care management and comprehensive service planning for youth and their families with intense and/or complex needs.

CMO will coordinate the Child/Family Team (CFT) meetings, implement Individual Service Plans (ISP) for each youth and his or her family, and will facilitate the Presumptive Eligibility (PE) process that is necessary to fund this placement. Therefore, CMO involvement is required thought the youth’s entire episode of LT or ST care. The treating substance use agency will provide you with additional information regarding CMO services.



Does PerformCare provide treatment services directly?

No. PerformCare connects children, youth, and young adults to treatment.



What age range is covered?

Youth age 13 up until their 18th birthday may qualify for substance use treatment services through PerformCare. Youth who are 18 years-old may also qualify for CSOC substance use treatment services IF they are actively in high school or actively pursuing their education AND would be best served in an adolescent program.

The SUT Provider List Contracted Provider List (PDF) will identify which providers serve 18 year-olds. If a youth turns 18 (or 19 if admitted at age 18) while receiving services in a contracted SUT program, PerformCare will continue the authorization until the youth is ready for transition to another level of service. At the time of completing their current course of treatment, youth will be transitioned to DMHAS for substance use treatment services.



What is the South Jersey Initiative (SJI)? Does my child qualify for SJI funding for substance use treatment services?

The South Jersey Initiative is a funding stream that was secured due to a lack of substance use treatment resources in southern NJ. In order to qualify for SJI funding, the youth must meet the criteria for services listed above and must be from one of the following eight counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Cape May, Ocean, and Salem. SJI funding is the payer of last resort.



What services are available if my family member does not meet the age criteria for CSOC Substance Use Treatment Services?

PerformCare can provide referral information of services available throughout the state.



How can a youth apply for substance use treatment services?

Youth/families may apply by simply calling PerformCare at 877-652-7624. If youth/family is involved with a DCP&P case worker, Juvenile Court agent, designated county substance use coordinators, Care Management Organization (CMO), or contracted substance use treatment agency, PerformCare recommends that the family/youth call with the referring agency.

This allows PerformCare to verify the status with that individual and give the youth/family the information that is needed to obtain an assessment. Youth/families may also contact one of the contracted substance use treatment service providers directly to seek services. The substance use treatment provider would need to call PerformCare to verify eligibility and obtain authorization before proceeding with the service.



What are the fees for these services?

There is no charge for youth authorized for CSOC-funded substance use treatment services. If you are seeking services yet are unsure about your eligibility, please contact us directly at 877-652-7624 and we will confirm your eligibility status.



How long will substance use treatment services last?

The length of service depends upon the youth’s need for treatment and qualifying clinical criteria. Upon receiving services, the youth will be assessed on a regular basis and a licensed clinician at PerformCare will review the documentation submitted by the provider in order to determine the youth/family continued need for treatment.



Are these services voluntary? (Does my child have to consent?)

Yes, youth must consent to substance use treatment services, unless court-ordered. For specific information regarding parental consent, please outreach to the substance use treatment provider that you are referred to.



Where are these services located?

The CSOC contracted SUT providers are located throughout New Jersey. PerformCare can provide information and referral to services by county and proximity to the youth's home. Contracted Provider List (PDF).



Can I choose my own provider for a funded service?

Yes. Choice will be limited to the SUT providers currently contracted with CSOC. Families are able to choose from providers that are available closest to a youth's geographical area.



If I use the services provided, will my information be kept confidential?

Absolutely. PerformCare complies with confidentiality and privacy regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as well as the requirements set forth in 42 CFR Part 2, which addresses the confidentiality of alcohol and drug use records.



Who will have access to my child's information?

Substance use information protected under 42 CFR Part 2 will be shared only to the extent permitted by the 42 CFR Part 2 compliant consent form completed by the youth. Generally, the consent will permit sharing of information between PerformCare, the treatment provider, and any entity that is providing care management. Such access is limited to the information that the party needs in order to provide or arrange for the provision of services. The 42 CFR Part 2 consent form is available on our website under the Provider link.



How do I revoke or revise consent for the release of information?

The youth should speak with their treatment provider to revoke a previously signed consent or revise the breadth of the consent. A revocation will not apply to information that has already been disclosed based upon a previous consent. When consent is revoked, the provider is responsible to take necessary action to revoke access of the information. The youth may complete a new consent form at any time through their provider or obtain the form from PerformCare's website and send by mail or fax to PerformCare or the provider.



Why do I have to register with PerformCare?

PerformCare maintains an electronic service record that relies on accurate, up to date demographic and other pertinent information about the youth for purposes of assessment, referral, and authorization. This information also allows us to contact you and mail correspondence to you regarding any authorization of services for your records.



Can I use (are there any) out-of-state substance use treatment services?

No. CSOC does not contract with out-of-state substance use treatment providers. You may access out-of-state services through private pay or private insurance.