Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer is proud to announce the expansion of the Trident Program in Berkeley Township Municipal Court. The Ocean County Helping Hand Trident Program is an Ocean County Prosecutor led Municipal Court Diversion Program. Trident has been made possible via grant funding through the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General via Operation Helping Hand.
“The goal of Trident is to divert individuals living with, or at risk for, substance use disorder from municipal court into treatment. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has been working in conjunction with several agencies to assist those individuals with the navigation of the treatment process in Toms River and now we are excited to be able to reach out to those struggling with addiction in Berkeley,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
The Trident Program is currently operational in Toms River Municipal Court where staff are available to identify eligible municipal court defendants who are in need of services. Trident Program staff includes, but is not limited to, a licensed clinician, a case manager and a certified peer recovery specialist provided by Ocean Mental Health Services located in Berkeley Township. “Trident is a collaborative program. By working together we can identify, engage and connect members of our community suffering with substance use disorders with the services they need in order to live happy, healthy, and productive lives. This three prong approach is effective in reaching those who have been struggling for years but also for those individuals who may have never been diagnosed or linked with services before. Recovery from substance use disorder is possible and Trident gives people resources and best of all – hope,” Billhimer stated.
“Trident has access to a mobile support vehicle, which provides a discreet environment for individuals to be assessed and linked with care. Whether in the courtroom or in an alternate or virtual environment to maintain COVID restriction compliance, Trident gives individuals the tools they need to battle addiction,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Offenders Unit, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Renee White, Toms River Municipal Court, Berkeley Township Municipal Court and Ocean Mental Health Services for their collaborative efforts relative to Trident’s success and for working tirelessly to ensure that defendants facing municipal charges are given the opportunity to access treatment vital to their recovery.