Alternatives, Inc. is a community-based; non-profit organization dedicated to assisting individuals/families with special needs to enable them to reach their highest level of independence and integration into the community.

Alternative’s success is seen in its evolving network of supportive and innovative services that assist people in enhancing their quality of life in their own communities throughout Central New Jersey.

• Residential Services - I/DD
• Mental Health Services
• Franklin House
• Supported Employment
• Day Program - I/DD
• Behavioral Support Services
• Support Coordination
• Mental Health Services

Alternatives, Inc. offers Community Support Services for adults with mental health needs in Somerset County. Community Support Services are provided by a team of Licensed Clinicians and Case Management staff who utilize a person-centered approach to help all clients work on their own personal journey toward recovery. Staff work with each client on developing and actively working on individual goals, in order to enhance life skills and independence within their community. Services are flexible and can be enhanced as needed or requested.

Housing options are also available within the Community Support Services program. These are affordable, shared living opportunities throughout Somerset County. Clients may also receive Community Support Services without living in this housing.

Community Support Services include

• Clinical counseling
• Psycho-education
• Assistance with daily living skills
• Money management
• Linkages to community resources and medical/mental health providers

Residential Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Alternatives serves individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), which encompasses a variety of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, and those who may require behavioral supports and medical oversight. The agency follows an interdisciplinary model, which includes input from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Registered Nurse (RN) when developing service plans and identifying staff training needs. Management-level professionals are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, with a second tier of Director-level professionals who are ready to respond when needed. Alternatives is also an approved vendor for representative payee services. Residential services are provided in Warren, Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties. In each region, several programs are geographically clustered creating many benefits including sharing resources such as staffing, recreation, transportation, etc.

Abilities in Motion Day Program
The Abilities in Motion (A.I.M.) day program, located in Raritan, provides structured activities and opportunities for growth for those with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Clients work on life skills and social skills in a small group setting.

A.I.M. works collaboratively with Bridges to Employment, a division of Alternatives, to ensure opportunities for job sampling and competitive employment are always considered. A.I.M.'s hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am-2:30 pm. Transportation is provided to clients who reside within a 10-mile radius.

Behavior Support Services
Behavior Specialists support clients by applying the principles of human behavior which are based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). All staff is trained in Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), giving the staff additional tools to effectively serve and communicate with Alternatives' clients. Applied Behavior Analysis is an evidence-based practice that has been proven successful when specifically applied to the ID/DD and Autism populations.

Eligibility	Mental Illness Adult Homeless Developmental Disabilities
Age Groups	Adolescents Adults Seniors
Community Services	Basic Needs / Assistance Accepts Donations of Goods Housing / Shelter Supportive Housing Community Community Service Employment / Training Supported Employment
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Anxiety Behavioral Eating Disorders Grief / Loss Mental Health Substance Use Womens / Mens Intellectual and Developmental Needs Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) I / DD Day Program Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Special Needs Support Coordination Medical Integrated Mental / Physical Health Services
Treatment Services	Outpatient Services Social Skills Treatment Settings Home In Community
Payment Options	County Funding Free Medicaid State Funding
Areas Served	Hunterdon County Middlesex County Monmouth County Ocean County Somerset County Warren County

Last Updated: 04/24/24