Erin Young, right, with program client Jacki Romaine.
Erin Young, director of NewBridge Services adult psychiatric day program, was recently recognized as a superior supervisor by the New Jersey Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association.
NewBridge promoted Young to her current position last year. With locations in Haskell and Pompton Plains, the program in 2022 served 163 adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Young coordinates treatments with medical personnel and is in charge of a staff of a dozen, directly supervising three clinicians.
“What I enjoy most about my work is being able to instill hope in people and being able to watch the individuals I work with succeed,” Young said. She interned at NewBridge while earning her master’s degree in counseling. She was hired in 2005 as a mental health counselor. Two years later, she became a supervising clinician.
Young replaced the program’s longtime director Viki Ferlauto, now executive director of counseling services at NewBridge. Ferlauto nominated Young for the NJPRA award. It recognizes mental health professionals who have demonstrated outstanding abilities, achievements, and commitment to psychiatric rehabilitation.
“As a supervisor, Erin ensures that program services remain person-centered, helping them to identify their own value and a sense of ownership in their care and recovery,” Ferlauto said. “Her efforts to keep the principles of inclusion, self-directed care, and personal determination at the forefront of our everyday practice creates an environment in which staff and participants alike can feel empowered to do their best work and truly promote and encourage community participation for those who have been most marginalized in our society.”
Young served five years as the pre-vocational specialist at the Pompton Plains location. “Seeing my clients move from a mindset of `I’ll never be able to work again’ to a place where they are working and receiving accolades at their job is truly inspiring to me,” she said.
“Being recognized by NJPRA has been a real honor for me,” Young said. While she feels proud, Young said: “I am much more comfortable celebrating other people’s accomplishments and strengths than I am being recognized for my own.”
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