NJAMHAA Hails Governor Murphy’s Continued Focus on Substance Use Treatment and Behavioral Health Care in Proposed FY2021 Budget

The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) is gratified that our persistent advocacy has paid off with the Governor’s call for continuation and increases of funding for community mental healthcare and substance use services, as well as other investments that are needed by the vulnerable populations our members serve.

 

Most notable of the valuable budget provisions are the increases in rates for long-term residential substance use treatment services, Integrated Care Management Services (ICMS) and children’s behavioral health services. We are pleased to see specified in the Budget in Brief that the Children’s System of Care will receive at least $45 million in additional funding for out-of-home and in-community service rates, and we look forward to receiving the details on the other proposed rate increases.

 

The proposed funding to reduce the wait time for facility licenses to three months is also greatly appreciated. All of these provisions, along with many others in the Governor’s proposed budget, are critical to ensure access to life-saving services for individuals with mental illnesses, substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or medical conditions.

 

NJAMHAA also applauds Gov. Murphy for his ongoing commitment of $100 million to fight the opioid crisis. This funding includes $20 million for the Keeping Families Together program, which serves families who are involved with the child welfare system, as well as funding to maintain the Attorney General’s Operation Helping Hand in all 21 counties and to continue increasing access to medication-assisted treatment.

Click here for more details on NJAMHAA’s budget priorities.