NJAMHAA-70th-anniversary-publication

12 publication) have joined in FY2021 as of press time. Growth has also been taking place in the number of requests frommembers as they realize more and more the value of the information, research, tech- nical assistance and other services that NJAMHAA provides. Similarly, the number of webinars, work- shops and other training events NJAMHAA offers has increased as members’ needs have expanded. “I always thought NJAMHAA had a solid foundation, values and ethics. As we were moving forward and the field was moving forward, we thought there were ways we could modernize,” said Deborah Megaro, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Capitol County Chil- dren’s Collaborative and a former NJAMHAA Board Chair, who earned NJAMHAA’s unique Organizational Guru Award in 2015 in recognition of her leadership in restructuring the association. “We streamlined by consolidating some practice groups. It gave the staff more resources to focus on what they needed to focus on,” Megaro said. “That’s a strong sign of an organization that has a real vision and real values.” “It’s amazing how much work we’ve done collabora- tively and all the changes we’ve been through to- gether,” said Susan Loughery, MBA, Associate Execu- tive Director of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton and NJAMHAA’s current Board Chair. Loughery learned about NJAMHAA in 2000 when the New Jer- sey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) was implementing a process for agencies’ licensing inspections to be conducted every three years. “NJAMHAA was very involved, advocating on what this means to providers and the impact it would have on costs and services.” Changes have been happening on both the state and national levels and will undoubtedly continue. Through it all, NJAMHAA has remained consistent, persistent and effective in its advocacy on behalf of providers and the individu- als they serve. 1987 - The New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services (DMHS) was restructured, which led to creation of the community support system. - New Jersey’s Statewide Children’s Coordinating Council was developed to guide the Department of Human Services’ (DHS’) children’s planning initiatives. - Prozac, the rst of a new class of anti-depressant medications, was launched in Belgium by Eli Lilly. The U.S. launch followed in 1988. 1990 - President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. 1985 - The “Just Say No” campaign was launched by First Lady Nancy Reagan within a broader zero-tolerance campaign. - Congress passed the Protection and Advocacy for the Mentally Ill Act. 1990 - Len Altamura, DSW, LCSW, became NJAMHAA’s rst full-time CEO. NJAMHAA had 81 members. Soon afterwards, mid-month mailings were created. 1986 - Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. 1989 - The New Jersey Psychiatric Screening Commitment Law was implemented. 1985 - NJAMHAA successfully advocated for funding to increase salaries for community mental health sta . “NJAMHAA was a less inclusive group and Deb opened it up to become more involved with agencies. NJAMHAA became more encompassing under dEBRA wENTZ’S leadership.” - Shel Goldstein, Former NJAMHAA Board Member