NJAMHAA-70th-anniversary-publication

18 2008 - The federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) was signed into law. It extended parity requirements to SUD treatment and required that mental health and SUD services be included as Essential Health Bene ts. 2009 - Dr. Wentz and several members served on incoming Governor Chris Christie’s Transition Team. Dr. Wentz chaired the Subcommittee for the DHS, DMHS and the Division of Addiction Services. - The IT Project developed electronic health record (EHR) system collaboratives. 2007 - NJAMHAA successfully advocated to the state for signi cant increases in the Medicaid rates for children’s outpatient and psychiatric services; waivers on the ban of therapeutic holds; and focus on new transportation sta ng requirements and the impact of partial hospitalization rates and regulations. 2009 - The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline answered its one millionth call. - The Civil Rights Division launched an aggressive e ort to enforce the Supreme Court's decision in Olmstead v. L.C. - Uber driving services became available for individuals, including those receiving behavioral health services. “NJAMHAA has been invaluable to all of us, especially during the challenging times of the pandemic.” – Bob Budsock, Immediate Past Chair of the NJAMHAA Board create the Management Information Systems (MIS) Project to help providers maximize the effectiveness of their services and their efficiency in delivering them. The Project has also evolved over the years. It was renamed the Information Technology (IT) Project in 2003 to reflect the offering of a wider range of services incorporating new technologies. The Project has consistently expanded its support for members, including guidance on complying with confidentiality laws, reducing risk of cyberattacks and much more. Details are provided, beginning on page 60. In 1985, NJAMHAA successfully advocated to the state gov- ernment for funding to increase salaries for commu- nity mental health staff. On the national level, the “Just Say No” campaign was launched within a broader zero-tolerance cam- paign; Congress passed the Protection and Advocacy for the Mentally Ill Act of 1985 and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. In New Jersey, DMHS Director Alan Kaufman initiated a major restructuring of the Division, which led to creation of the community support system; the Statewide Children’s Coordinat- ing Council was developed to guide DHS’ children’s planning initiatives; and the New Jersey Psychiatric Screening Commitment Law was implemented. Also near the end of the decade, Prozac, the first of a new class of anti-depressant medications, was intro- duced in Belgium by Eli Lilly, followed by a launch in the U.S. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law. During the same year, clozapine, one of a new generation of antipsychotic medications, was introduced. M ENTAL H EALTH I NVESTMENT A Wise P EOPLE F AMILIES C OMMUNITIES in: