NJAMHAA 75th Anniversary

Commemorative Journal 27 2016 • Partner in Hope Award from Attitudes In Reverse® – Debra Wentz 2014 • The first Gabriel M. Ambrosio Mental Health Humanitarian Award from Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare – Debra Wentz • The Patient Advocacy Award from the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey – Debra Wentz • The Citizen of the Year Award from the New Jersey Psychiatric Association – Debra Wentz • Inaugural Codey Award from Carrier Clinic – Debra Wentz • APEX Award for Publication Excellence for the Fall Conference, Evolution , Meeting & Event Materials 2013 • Mover and Shaker Award from Attitudes In Reverse® – Debra Wentz • Public Service Award from the Council on State Public Affairs – Debra Wentz • Elected as Honorary Chair, NAMI New Jersey Annual Walk for Recovery – Debra Wentz • APEX Award for Publication Excellence for the 60th Anniversary Publication/FY 2011 Annual Report, The Power of Partnership: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 2012 • Woman of the Year 2012 from the American Biographical Institute – Debra Wentz • Election as Honorary Chair, NAMI New Jersey Annual Walk for Recovery – Debra Wentz NJAMHAA Awards (continued) The Department of Health’s Division of Certificate of Need reversed a decision to implement a requirement for 51% of services to be provided face to face. Also in late 2025, NJAMHAA advocated to have $29 million in state funds (initially appropriated in the FY2025 budget and rolled over to the FY2026 budget) that were intended for children’s mental health services and workforce released per the plan the Department of Children and Families had submitted to the Governor. This effort was partially successful. In November, $5.9 million of these funds was distributed to children’s out-of-home treatment settings for workforce recruitment, retention and training purposes. Twenty-eight providers with 144 programs received funding of $5,000 for each contracted bed. S2996, which eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs) was signed into law: It removes the requirement for APNs who have been licensed for more than 24 months to work with collaborating physicians. Under this new law, APNs who complete the required pharmacology education can now authorize medications, including medical cannabis. A provision in the FY2026 State Budget allocates $11 million of new funding over several years for 300 new beds licensed in residential settings for adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and complex medical and behavioral needs. “ Oaks Integrated Care has been part of the NJAMHAA family for over 60 years. The value, the expertise, the guidance and the camaraderie that NJAMHAA has brought to our agency cannot be overstated. Knowing that there is a strong and influential trade association standing up for us and our colleagues in the mental health and substance use disorder field during the turbulence of change helps me sleep at night. ” Derry Holland, LCSW NJAMHAA Board Secretary Chief Executive Officer, Oaks Integrated Care The first computerized cognitive behavioral therapy program, COGNIsoft, was developed. 1997 1996 The federal Mental Health Parity Act was passed to provide equal coverage for treatment of mental and physical illnesses, but on a limited basis. The bill was set to expire in 2001.