In 1996, CPC Behavioral Healthcare was chosen by the State of New Jersey to implement a community-based program for severely and persistently mentally ill adults discharged from state psychiatric hospitals and living in Monmouth County. PACT (Program for Assertive Community Treatment) operates under the belief that people with serious and persistent mental illness can recover and live in the least restrictive setting if provided with appropriate support and services.

PACT is a community-based program for adults with persistent and serious mental illness who have not been able to live in the community and utilize traditional services without relapse and recurrent psychiatric hospitalizations.

CPC Behavioral Healthcare sponsors two PACT teams who are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide services and supports designed to prevent rehospitalization, promote community integration and increase quality of life.

PACT is unique because it brings comprehensive services directly to the consumer in his/her home environment for as long as the consumer requires services. The inter-disciplinary P.A.C.T team includes: psychiatrists; psychiatric nurses; consumer advocates; vocational specialists; masters level clinicians;  substance abuse specialists. 

PACT is designed to provide long-term care. Consumers are clients for life unless they relocate out of the area. Consumers are referred from psychiatric hospitals, mental health screening centers and other mental health venues in Monmouth County. To qualify for PACT, consumers must meet certain eligibility requirements including:

• A serious and persistent mental illness for at least 12 months
• Certain impaired functions
• A history of psychiatric hospitalizations in the past 12 months; and inability to maintain residence in the least restrictive setting
• Inability to be treated at a lower level of care

• Collaborate with the consumer in determining the course of care
• Provide psychiatric services, rehabilitative services and treatment of co-occurring disorders
• Help the consumer with activities of daily living
• Develop and support recreational and social skills
• Train and assist consumers in finding and maintaining employment
• Provide support and consult with consumers' families and social contacts
• Try to avert rehospitalization
• Work towards the goal of recovery at the consumer's own pace