NJAMHAA 75th Anniversary

Commemorative Journal 23 Immediately after the proposed budget was unveiled on August 26, 2020, NJAMHAA invited stakeholders — both members and non-members — to a Zoom meeting, which 200 individuals attended. The next day, NJAMHAA distributed a comprehensive, detailed advocacy action plan with template letters, media representatives and legislators’ contact information, data illustrating the effectiveness of SBYSPs and a template resolution for local boards to consider enacting. This packet was sent to more than 800 stakeholders, including the call participants and others whose contact information they provided. The information was then further shared with the networks of those receiving it, launching an extremely powerful, unprecedented groundswell that also involved students, their families and education professionals and resulted in the funding being fully restored. Leading up to this historic achievement, NJAMHAA wrote to every legislator and the Governor’s office; submitted op-eds to all state media outlets; hosted forums with Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Assemblyman Daniel Benson; and responded to requests for information, advice and interviews. This success required the state to invest significantly more because the funding previously supporting this program included several million dollars of federal funding that had already been re-allocated. Advocacy for Children’s Service (continued) “ NJAMHAA came to the forefront of public policy to be the voice for how the mental healthcare system needs of consumers and their families can best be met. ” John Monahan, ACSW, LCSW Former Board Chair Founder of Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare, which merged with Oaks Integrated Care in 2015 NJAMHAA convinced the Department of Health to implement a streamlined process for facilities’ new and renewed licenses; secured another extension of parity reimbursement for telehealth services for 18 months until June 30, 2026; and persuaded Governor Murphy to conditionally veto a bill that would have required all sober living homes to employ supervisors, who would need to be present 24/7, which most recovery homes would not have been able to afford; the revised bill was signed into law. As the State’s Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council recommended, opioid settlement funds were dedicated for expansion of free civil legal services to individuals with mental health or substance use disorders ($20.25 million over three years); statewide expansion of DCF’s South Jersey Youth Substance Use Initiative ($5.04 million over three years); and $500,000 to enhance the state’s ability to quickly and effectively respond to emergencies. The FY2025 State Budget also included an additional increase of $2 million for a total amount of $7 million for student loan redemption. In addition, the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority’s loan redemption program grants were expanded to encourage more providers to serve high-need communities. In addition, the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) awarded funding to providers to train and certify direct support professionals to specialize in supporting individuals with IDD and mental illness. DDD also funded the Home- and Community-Based Services Loan Redemption program, along with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and Department of Children and Families, for more than 450 healthcare professionals. Mid-1980s The State of New Jersey began reducing the census at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital and encouraged community living. 1984 The MIS Project was established as a partnership between NJAMHAA and the State Division of Mental Health Services. It was renamed the IT Project in 2003. Crack cocaine appeared. 1985 FY2025