Child and Adolescent Inpatient Services (CAIS) is the designated children's crisis intervention service (CCIS) for Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Mercer counties.

Many of the youths we serve are coping with emotional, social and behavioral health problems such as mood swings or depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, thought disorders and psychosis, impulsivity, aggression and anger, hyperactivity and inattention, suicidal thoughts or attempts and other behaviors pose a danger to themselves or others. Our treating teams consist of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, licensed, registered, and advanced practice nurses, licensed practical nurses, master's level therapists and social workers, mental health specialists, activities assistants, creative arts therapists, a teacher, a registered dietician, and a pharmacist. Our goal is to help youth and families get through these challenging crises and return to their communities. We will do everything we can to make this a brief, healing, and positive experience for you and your loved ones.

• Psychiatric and psychosocial assessment and evaluation
• Comprehensive nursing services and medical care
• Laboratory services
• Physical health assessments and health promotion activities
• Dietary/nutritional assessment
• Individualized treatment planning
• Individual and group therapy
• Family therapy, education, and support
• Recreational, therapeutic, and psycho-educational groups
• Social and emotional learning programming and creative activities
• Medication management, education, and monitoring
• Service coordination, discharge planning, and referral to community services
• Behavior management and educational services

Admission
Youth who are able to benefit from a short-term treatment program that utilizes medical, educational, behavioral, and psychological interventions in an open setting may be admitted on an involuntary or voluntary basis. Admission is initiated through a county Designated Screening Center, such as Acute Psychiatric Services (APS) at UBHC in Piscataway, 732-235-5700, or the UBHC Access Center at 1-800-969-5300.

Eligibility	Families must reside in Middlesex County. FREE service for youth 10 to 18 years of age and meet the behavioral criteria. Parent(s)/guardian involvement and participation. Transportation if applicable. Referrals are accepted directly from schools, DCP&P, legal system, mental health and other community agencies. This program is funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF). 24-48 hour Cancellation Policy
Age Groups	Children Adolescents
Community Services	Family & Support Services Caregiving LGBTQ Parenting & Caregiving
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health ADHD / ADD Anger Management Anxiety Behavioral Conduct Disorder Depression Dissociative Disorders Eating Disorders Family Conflict & Distress Fire-Setting Grief / Loss Mental Health Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Personality Disorders Psychosomatic Self-Injury Substance Use Teen Issues Trauma / PTSD Crisis / Safety Bullying Child Abuse / Neglect Crisis / Safety / Prevention Domestic Violence Suicide / Suicidal Ideation Trafficking Intellectual and Developmental Needs Learning Disabilities
Areas Served	Hunterdon County Mercer County Middlesex County Somerset County

Last Updated: 03/15/23