
ABOUT US
The Mission of MHCP is helping adults, children and families grow stronger by finding mental balance, building life and coping skills and improving overall wellbeing. The main focus of MHCP’s intervention is to help clients become positive, productive members of their communities. The Mental Health Center of Passaic is a private, not-for-profit, 501 (c) (3) community organization licensed by the NJ Department of Human Services and the NJ Department of Children & Families. Governed by a Board of Directors, the Mental Health Center of Passaic employs more than 100 professionals, para-professionals and support staff.
The Mental Health Center of Passaic is committed to diversity and inclusion by fostering a culture that values differences and similarities. Our standard of practice is to exist as a fair, equitable and inclusive organization that aligns with and supports our clients, our workforce, and the communities that we serve.
OUR HISTORY
Vigorous innovative growth has been a hallmark of the Mental Health Center of Passaic since its beginnings.
1967-1970
In July 1967, the Mental Health Center of Southern Passaic County is incorporated as a merger of St. Mary’s Hospital Child Guidance Clinic in Passaic and a branch office of the Center for Mental Health Services in Paterson. The Center is initially located in the old Passaic City Hall on Passaic Avenue (now part of the administration building of the Passaic Board of Education). It serves about 125 individuals (only one bi-lingual English/Spanish) with a staff of six (all but one part-time) with an annual budget of $60,000.
In 1968 the Center’s name is changed to the Mental Health Clinic of Passaic.
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1970-1975

In 1972, as an outpatient arm of the Community Mental Health Clinic of Passaic and Clifton, the Clinic embarks on its specialization of mental health services to children. The Therapeutic Children’s Program, a partial care/day treatment program for emotionally disturbed children between ages 2 ½ and 6, is established and operates out of the sub-basement of St. John’s Lutheran Church on Lexington Avenue.
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1975-1980
In 1975, with a combined federal and state grant, the Clinic purchases and renovates the 111 Lexington Avenue building and continues its advocacy to provide children’s services. That year the Therapeutic Children’s Program moves to space at the Passaic Boys and Girls Club.
In 1976 the Clinic opens the Family Center, an intensive child abuse and neglect treatment unit serving Passaic and Clifton. The Family Center, a community-based, family-oriented service targeting those who experience abusive and/or neglectful behaviors, is located in the Alfred Speer Village housing complex.
In the late 1970’s the Clinic begins to offer psychiatric services to the Passaic School System.
1980-1985
The 1980’s bring a continued push for children’s mental health services but with minimal state dollars. The Clinic sees an increase in money problems. As services increase, it becomes difficult to fund new programs.
In 1982 the Clinic establishes the Children’s Outreach Home Visiting Advocacy Program, a program that serves youth and their families throughout Passaic County. Many of these youth are returning home after psychiatric hospitalization and can benefit from services to aid in their being mainstreamed into their communities. The program name later changes to the Community Care Program.
That same year (1982) the Family Center moves from Speer Village to the Passaic YMCA.
In 1982 the Therapeutic Children’s Program is renamed the Ida Gurtman Therapeutic Children’s Program in honor of its benefactor Mrs. Ida (William) Gurtman. The program also moves from the Passaic Boys & Girls Club to the Ahavas Israel Passaic Park Jewish Community Center.
1990-1995
In 1993 the Clinic expands the School Based Youth Services Program to include Passaic Lincoln Middle School.
In 1994 the Clinic begins to provide consultation services to Youth Haven, a teen residence located in Paterson.
At this time it is evident to the Center that its growth has necessitated a search for another facility. In 1995 the Center is awarded a State Construction Grant for the purchase of a new building.
1995-2000


In 1997, at the Clifton building, the Clinic opens a second unit of the Ida Gurtman Therapeutic Children’s Program to serve Clifton and Paterson and the surrounding areas. That same year School Based Youth Services (SBYSP) relocates from the Presbyterian Church basement to rented space in a building across from Passaic High School.
In the late 1990’s the SBYSP, through its Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, joins with Passaic Beth Israel Hospital and Planned Parenthood to provide a Teen Health Clinic. Today the Teen Health Clinic is a joint effort between the North Hudson Federally Funded Qualified Health Center and SBYSP.
In 1999, in collaboration with St. Clare’s Hospital, the Clinic embarks on a joint project to address the mental health needs of the adult population. The Clinic co-sponsors the first Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurse Initiative and continues into the present to increase services to the adult population needing medication monitoring
2000-2005
In 2000 the Clinic contracts with the Passaic Board of Education to provide Early Childhood Education and opens two Abbott classes at the Ahavas Israel Passaic Park Community Center. The contractual arrangement continues until 2011, when the Passaic Board of Education opens a new school for Early Childhood education.
In 2001 the Clinic partners with the Passaic Board of Education to provide the 21st Century Community Learning Center / Quality of Life after-school program at three Passaic schools. In 2005 federal funding is replaced by state funding until 2013.
In 2003 Youth Case Management is increased from one Case Manager to two, then to four, and by 2004 it is increased to thirteen Case Managers with a Program Director. It becomes necessary to relocate the Program from 1451 Van Houten Avenue to rented space at a local church.
In September 2005, the Mental Health Clinic of Passaic receives a grant to provide New Jersey After 3, an after-school program, at Passaic’s Martin Luther King, Jr. elementary school #6.
2005-2010
In 2005 the Clinic purchases the building directly across the street from Passaic High School (that it had been renting) for the School Based Youth Services Program. The building houses the SBYSP administrative office and the Parent Linking Program with its Child Care Center, “Baby Steps.”
In January 2007, the Clinic expands New Jersey After 3 Program into School #11 in Passaic. The Clinic continues to operate this program at both schools until 2010, when funding is cut. The program at School #11 closes and the Clinic focuses on continuing to provide after-school programming at School # 6.
2010-2015
In 2012, with changes to the children’s system of care in New Jersey, the Youth Case Management program is folded into the Passaic County Care Management Organization.
In 2013 the Clinic partners with the Passaic Board of Education to run the Extended Day/Extended Year After School Program for the 2013-2014 school year.
Due to lack of funds, the Clinic’s after school program at Passaic School # 6 is closed at the end of the 2013-2014 academic school year. During July and August 2014, the Clinic collaborates with the Passaic Board of Education for the “Jump into Summer” recreation program.
In fall 2014 the Clinic partners with the Passaic Board of Education for the ACCESS After School Program.
2015-2021
Starting in 2015, the Clinic continues its long-standing partnership with the Passaic Board of Education’s ACCESS After School Program. This partnership continues through the 2019-2020 School Year.
The Passaic Board of Education partnership continues with Jump into Summer 1-5 PM program from 2014-2019.
In August 2016, the Ida Gurtman Therapeutic Children’s Program changes locations from High Street in Passaic to 35 Orange Avenue in Clifton. This move reestablishes our previous relationship with Assumption of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church.
In October 2016, the Clinic is donated office space in 124 Gregory Avenue, Passaic. This generous donation by Arnold and Ruth Shurkin. allows the Clinic to open the Outpatient Annex facility in October 2017.
The Clinic purchases 108-114 Hoover Avenue in Passaic in November 2017 to expand Outpatient Services.
In March of 2020, the Clinic adapts to tele-health services for the first time in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Our client services are never interrupted due to our HIPPA compliant platform.
After extensive renovations and generous donations from benefactors including The Nicholas Martini Foundation, The Estate of Ida Gurtman, The Kearny Bank Foundation and the Turrell Fund, the Outpatient Family Center at Hoover Avenue opens in June 2021.
On October 27, 2021, the Hoover Ave building has its official grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony as The Martini Family Building of the Mental Health Center of Passaic.