Alice Heide

The Center for Great Expectations

CGE is the only substance use and mental health provider in New Jersey offering trauma-informed, evidence-based care to mothers, pregnant women and adolescents in a safe place to stay with their children up to age 5. And we're the state's only residential program serving adolescents with mental health disorders, who are pregnant or parenting. CGE believes the parent-child connection is integral to the care we provide. Our co-occurring clinicians meet clients exactly where they are, forging together a recovery plan to include strengthening a parent's bond with their children and breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma. Unlike other programs, we understand the trauma a child can endure when removed from the​ mother. We work to prevent child removals​, as well as reunify children with their mothers if they've already been separated. At CGE, our model of care integrates harm reduction, including Medication Assisted Treatment ​(MAT). Research shows harm reduction to reduce the chance of relapse or overdose and as more effective in treating addiction than requiring complete abstinence, thereby enabling clients to pace recovery. In addition to our adult and adolescent residential programs and an onsite child ​development center, Katy's Place, CGE's continuum of care includes permanent supportive housing; START's community-based home visitation and doula support team comprised of a doula​, peer recovery specialist, clinician and case manager; and Roots to Recovery, outpatient services, offering compassionate co-occurring care for all. Our newest initiative, The Institute of CGE, offers relationally based, trauma-attuned professional development and consulting services, guided by CGE's almost 25 years of fostering connections—weaving a stronger social fabric to promote resilience within the larger community. The Center for Great Expectations is a nonprofit organization. Please join our community to support the mission: https://www.cge-nj.org/supporting-cge/