Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) at Rutgers-UBHC is an innovative and evidence-based treatment program for adolescents and young adults ages 15-35 who have had unusual thoughts and behaviors or who have started hearing or seeing things that others don’t, along with difficulties with work, school and/or socializing. CSC helps people reduce their symptoms and achieve their goals for school, work, and relationships.

We define a “first episode” as within 2 years of experiencing symptoms such as:

• Hallucinations - During psychosis, people may hear, see, smell, taste, or feel something that is not actually there. For example, they may hear voices or noises that no one else hears, see things that are not there, or experience unusual physical sensations
• Delusions - Delusions are false beliefs that are firmly held and are out of keeping with the person’s cultural environment. A person may be truly convinced of a belief that is not shared by others, and even the most logical argument cannot change his or her mind
• Disorganized Speech, Thoughts, and/or Behavior: Disorganized speech might involve a person switching rapidly from one subject to the next, or being so garbled that speech is not comprehensible. People experiencing psychosis may have changes in their thinking patterns and may find it hard to concentrate and follow a conversation. Their thoughts may speed up, slow down, or become jumbled, or they may not connect in a way that makes sense. Behavior also may be disorganized. For example, the person may have difficulties performing regular activities of daily living, such as cooking or self-care. Or they may display inappropriate behaviors or affect, such as laughing while talking about a tragic event.

Treatment is tailored to the needs of the client, but generally, components of treatment include:

• Psychiatric evaluation
• Psychoeducation
• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Group therapy
• Case management
• Supported Employment and Education
• Treatment for other mental health challenges or substance use
• Family support (individual & group)
• Medication education/management
• Peer Support

Eligibility	1. Between ages 15 to 35 2. Within 2 years of onset of psychosis symptoms 3. A psychosis-spectrum specific diagnosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective, psychosis NOS). We understand that as this is a first episode, sometimes there is no clear diagnosis yet. Contact us to review potential referrals.
Age Groups	Adolescents Adults
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Mental Health
Treatment Services	Outpatient Services Assessment / Evaluation Counseling Counseling / Therapy, Family Counseling / Therapy, Group Counseling / Therapy, Individual Medication Monitoring Treatment Settings In-Person Telehealth
Payment Types	Medicaid Medicare Private / Commercial Insurance Self Pay Sliding Scale / Payment Plans State Funding
Areas Served	Hunterdon County Mercer County Middlesex County Monmouth County Ocean County Somerset County Union County

Last Updated: 05/11/24