New Jersey is among the top three states in the United States with respect to diverse racial, ethnic, and foreign-born populations.1 Populations teeming with diversity bring forth unique mindsets, traditions, beliefs, and techniques of communication. To deliver the best possible service, social and healthcare workers need a culturally sensitive approach that incorporates a consumer’s diverse background throughout the treatment process. 2 It is essential that we are aware of complexities and cultural differences as the United States is made up of numerous cultures, traditions, and backgrounds. Promoting cultural sensitivity can assist with dismantling preconceived notions and can also assist with limiting the harmful effects of ethnocentrism.
At Behavioral Crossroads, we believe that all individuals- regardless of gender, race, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other aspect of diversity- deserve equal treatment that reflects respect, understanding, and acceptance. All individuals have the right to be accurately represented. Providing mental health treatment without a thorough grasp of cultural understanding would be a disservice to those who seek our services as consumers’ complexities and customs would not be acknowledged despite their important impact on the consumers’ lives. This would diminish the validity and level of effectiveness of treatment.
Behavioral Crossroads is composed of four separate mental health and/or substance abuse recovery facilities: Behavioral Crossroads (Mental Health Partial Care), Recovery at the Crossroads, Greenbranch Recovery, and Behavioral Crossroads Recovery. Each facility recognizes the importance of improving and maintaining policies, practices, and procedures that reflect CLAS standards.
Our agency is devoted to providing mental health services that demonstrate an understanding and commitment towards cultural sensitivity and diversity. Behavioral Crossroads shall strive to:
· Illuminate the importance of diversity and equality to ensure the well-being and equal treatment of each staff member and individual participating in our program.
· Promote a better understanding of cultural diversity to encourage shared acceptance and acknowledgement, both within our agency and among our consumers.
· Display transparency and open communication with its members and the community while encouraging others to do the same.
· Consistently advocate for improved inclusion of cultural diversity within the organization while identifying and rectifying any perceived inequalities or injustices brought to light.
· Confront bias, stereotypes, and harmful assumptions that impede cultural acceptance.
· Advance and maintain leadership that promotes and encourages CLAS standards through implementation of culturally diverse policies, procedures, and programs.
Our agency requires that all employees, including our leadership team, acknowledge and accept the importance of cultural diversity. Staff are expected to demonstrate their understanding of cultural sensitivity when working with clients, co-workers, the community, and outreach. Respectful communication, body language, and attitude are encouraged at all times.
Behavioral Crossroads does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, and our agency is dedicated to providing an environment that accepts all cultures without bias. Behavioral Crossroads promotes equal opportunity employment and involvement in all aspects of the program. Our agency strives to be responsive to the population in the service area.
As an organization, our mission is to provide excellent treatment to consumers that exemplifies cultural understanding, diversity, and inclusion. Behavioral crossroads will:
· Create new or modify existing policies and procedures that promote cultural diversity.
· Sustain a positive and diverse workplace environment that encourages the inclusion and engagement of all staff on a regular basis.
· Follow the National CLAS Standards to assist with advancing health equity.
· Provide effective and understandable quality care services that acknowledge diverse beliefs and needs.
· Train and further educate staff regarding various aspects of cultural diversity to improve the spread of understanding and acceptance.
· Ensure that communication is easily and equally acceptable to all consumers regardless of education/literacy level, language proficiency, and developmental level.
· Demonstrate continuous improvement and accountability in regards to the organization’s level of progress in maintaining and creating policies and procedures that reflect CLAS standards.
· Create re-occurring reviews of the organization’s CLAS-related activities while collecting and monitoring reliable demographic data to accurately evaluate the new policies and procedures.
· Create culturally appropriate conflict resolution procedures that enable both staff and clients to safely voice their concerns to encourage progress and prevent escalation.
· Spread communication throughout the organization, community, and general public concerning the agency’s level of progress in abiding by CLAS standards.
· Increase involvement with the community and participate in activities or approaches to improving cultural understanding and health care equity.
Behavioral Crossroads plans to lead by example. By demonstrating to others the importance of cultural diversity, we hope to encourage a greater understanding and acceptance within our consumers and the community. The world is ever-changing, and the United States is made up of a beautiful combination of different ethnicities, cultures, ideas, and beliefs that enhance humanity.
Demographic Information Pertaining to the Counties We Serve and Our Staff
*All data was collected through the U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts consisting of 2019 census information*
* Please note that Z represents a value greater than zero but less than half unit of measure shown
Ocean County Population estimates, July 1, 2019, (V2019) 607,186 3
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent 92.7%
Black or African American alone, percent(a) 3.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) 0.3%
Asian alone, percent(a) 1.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a) Z
Two or More Races, percent 1.4%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b) 9.5%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent 84.3%
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent 7.1%
Persons under 18 years, percent 24.2%
Persons 65 years and over, percent 22.8%
Female persons, percent 51.7%
Income and Poverty
Median household income (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 $70,909
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 $36,100
Persons in poverty, percent 9.0%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2015-2019 35,973
Foreign born persons, percent, 2015-2019 7.8%
Atlantic County Population estimates, July 1, 2019, (V2019): 263,670 4
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent 71.3%
Black or African American alone, percent(a) 17.1%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) 0.7%
Asian alone, percent(a) 8.1%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a) 0.1%
Two or More Races, percent 2.7%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b) 19.4%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent 56.0%
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent 5.4%
Persons under 18 years, percent 21.1%
Persons 65 years and over, percent 18.6%
Female persons, percent 51.6%
Income and Poverty
Median household income (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 $62,110
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 $33,284
Persons in poverty, percent 11.3%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2015-2019 12,325
Foreign born persons, percent, 2015-2019 16.5%
Camden County Population estimates, July 1, 2019, (V2019): 506,471 5
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent 69.0%
Black or African American alone, percent(a) 21.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) 0.7%
Asian alone, percent(a) 6.0%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a) 0.1%
Two or More Races, percent 2.6%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b) 17.6%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent 55.8%
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent 6.0%
Persons under 18 years, percent 22.6%
Persons 65 years and over, percent 16.1%
Female persons, percent 51.7%
Income and Poverty
Median household income (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 $70,451
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 $35,958
Persons in poverty, percent 10.7%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2015-2019 22,867
Foreign born persons, percent, 2015-2019 11.0%
Gloucester County Population estimates, July 1, 2019, (V2019): 291,636 6
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent 83.0%
Black or African American alone, percent(a) 11.2%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) 0.3%
Asian alone, percent(a) 3.1%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a) 0.1%
Two or More Races, percent 2.3%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b) 6.7%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent 77.8%
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent 5.2%
Persons under 18 years, percent 21.6%
Persons 65 years and over, percent 16.3%
Female persons, percent 51.4%
Income and Poverty
Median household income (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 $87,283
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 $39,337
Persons in poverty, percent 7.5%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2015-2019 15,247
Foreign born persons, percent, 2015-2019 5.5%
Foreign born persons, percent, 2015-2019 3.8%
