Who we serve...

We serve developmentally disabled children and adults with special needs.  Many of our consumers are diagnosed with autism.

How we serve...

We serve our consumers through program models that are interdisciplinary, client-centered, structured and community-based.  Our primary focus is placed on developing positive, creative environments that recognize the cognitive/behavioral challenges of our consumers, while providing opportunities for growth, learning, increased self-determination and normalization.

Individuals living in our group home network attend our adult day programs, or other community based day programs suited to their special needs or if of school age attend one or more certified, special education programs.

In our Group Homes the following services are available, but not limited to:

• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Family Counseling

Group Counseling:

Groups are held weekly in blocks of 30 to 60 minutes.  Many groups are time limited and issue specific.  Cognitive Behavioral psycho-educational experiential approaches are used to address anger management, social skills development, understanding human sexuality, choosing healthy friendships, personal and interpersonal growth and the development of responsible lifestyles. 

Individual Counseling:

Individual sessions are conducted at least twice per week by the consumer's primary mental health clinician.  The clinician is a Master's degree or better, Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) or under the direct clinical supervision of a LIP in the field(s) of Professional Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Psychology.  Resolution of past traumas, developing sound cognitive and behavioral coping abilities, rational problem solving, encouragement and support to complete treatment, family reunification and/or planning for the future are strongly pursued during the individual sessions. 

Family Counseling:

Over the phone or face to face, the consumer's family/caregiver(s) are engaged in family empowerment with the clinician.  Building upon the strengths and resources of the family culture, all significant-others are considered essential to the successful completion of treatment.  Whether family reunification is to occur or an alternative living arrangement is to be provided, the family/caregiver(s) are encouraged to develop parenting/support skills that provide the necessary structure, nurture, authority and role models for the consumer in treatment.  The long-term success of the treatment received is predicated on strengthening and empowerment of the primary caregiver system. 

Our programs...

Our communty homes are located throughout northern and southern New Jersey in a variety of suburban and rural settings. 

Northern NJ Group Homes
    Sussex County
    Warren County

Southern NJ Group Homes
    Burlington County
    Camden County
    Gloucester County

Funding sources...

Almost all referrals and funding come through contracts with the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities; however, private placements, including placements by local school districts have been arranged.

Contact information...

For additional information including referrals, funding, services, programs and site tours, contact the following Willowglen Academy-NJ Staff Members:

Tom Mitchell, Director of Residential Services

Willowglen Academy-NJ, Inc. (Corporate Office North Jersey)

8 Wilson Drive

Sparta, NJ 07871

(973) 579-3700 ext.1009

tom@willowglen-nj.com

Dione Keith, Associate Director

Willowglen Academy-NJ, Inc. (Corporate Office South Jersey)

501 King Avenue

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

(856) 662-6966

dione@willowglen-nj.com