NJAMHAA 75th Anniversary

Commemorative Journal 25 NJAMHAA Awards As NJAMHAA established itself as a leader in the field, it has garnered numerous awards and been highly decorated over the years, especially since 1995, for its achievements. These accolades validate its value, enhance its credibility, build trust with all target audiences and differentiate NJAMHAA from other trade associations and advocacy organizations. 2026 • NJBIZ Health Care Power List – Debra Wentz, Board Member Brigitte Johnson, Esq. and several other members 2025 • Social Innovations Awards – The New Jersey Mental Health Institute Leadership Academy for Behavioral Healthcare Professionals won second place in the Economic, Educational and Workforce Advancement category. • ELLA Champion of Mental Health Excellence Award from the Hudson County Latin American Chamber of Commerce – Debra Wentz • NJBIZ Health Care Power List – Debra Wentz Though 2026 was yet another difficult fiscal year, it included Gov. Murphy’s proposed 3% increase for the Department of Human Services’ budget and an additional $154 million from the Legislature; the Governor proposed flat funding for NJ4S and the School Based Youth Services Program and other DCF services, but the Legislature added $39 million. The final budget also included an additional $18 million to DCF to cover wage increases for DSPs. In fact, throughout Gov. Murphy’s tenure, DSPs’ wages were increased six times for a total increase of $6.50 per hour. Also in the FY2026 State Budget was maintenance of $20 million in funding for the ARRIVE (Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence & Escalation) Together Program; and new funding of $2.4 million to fill the gap that was expected due to the end of the enhanced federal match for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. FFS Rates : The FY2024 State Budget included higher FFS rates for many behavioral health services, and for FY2025, the budget included $3.75 million to increase the Division of Developmental Disabilities’ FFS rates and $22 million for a percentage-basis rate increase for Medicaid-based FFS and cost-reimbursement contracts. These contracted services included residential, outpatient, partial hospitalization and partial care treatment, as well as in-community care, intensive in-home behavioral assistance, mobile response and care management. Also during Gov. Murphy’s Administration, expansion of the Access for Youth inclusion in the Medicaid benefit package was made permanent. Eli Lilly introduced Prozac, the first of a new class of antidepressant drugs, in Belgium; it was launched in the U.S. in 1988. Late 1980s New Jersey passed its first mental health screening law. Increasingly stronger clinical trials firmly established cognitive behavioral therapy as an effective treatment approach.