NJAMHAA Is Proud to Honor Those who Contribute to New Jerseyans' Quality of Life

I am very inspired and my heart is warmed by the many ways in which frontline providers and agency leaders throughout the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) empower individuals to recover from mental illnesses and substance use disorders, manage developmental disabilities and, as a result, achieve their potential in many ways. They demonstrate leadership, compassion, talent and dedication that contribute tremendously to quality of life for children and adults throughout our state.

I am equally delighted to recognize individuals in the State Legislature, media and other organizations for their initiatives to address issues that impact providers’ abilities to deliver care and individuals’ access to services.

With much excitement, I look forward to our annual Courage & Compassion Awards Reception, which will be held on April 10, 2018 at the end of the first day of our Annual Conference, Creating Balance through Integrated Care. I am honored to share with you that this year’s award recipients are:

▪        Tamra Ackerman, LSW, Community Case Manager, Jewish Family Service & Children’s Center of Clifton/Passaic: Outstanding Direct Care Provider in Case Management

▪        Patricia H. Delgado, RN, BSN, Nursing Services Coordinator, SERV Behavioral Health System: Outstanding Direct Care Provider in Nursing
▪        Kimberly Govak, Program Coordinator, Living Proof Recovery Center, Center for Family Services: Outstanding Peer Leadership
▪        Linda Mur, PhD, Associate Vice President, Adult Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Services, Center for Family Services: Outstanding Leadership in Substance Use Disorder Services
▪        Carolyn A. Perry, MA, LPC, ACS, Mental Health Services Director, Community Hope: Outstanding Leadership in Mental Health Services
▪        Carrier Clinic: Outstanding Provider
▪        U.S. Senator Cory Booker: Federal Leadership in Criminal Justice Reform
▪        New Jersey Senator Ronald Rice (D-28^th District), State Senator of the Year
▪        New Jersey State Assemblyman Daniel R. Benson (D-14^th District): State Assembly Member of the Year
▪        Katie Jennings, Reporter, Politico: Media and Government: Focus on Addictions
▪        Kevin and Maryann Meara, Founders, City of Angels: Inspirational Role Models
▪        Ray Castro, Director of Health Policy, New Jersey Policy Perspective: Excellence in Policy Research
▪        Valerie Mielke, MSW, State Leadership in Mental Health and Addiction Services
▪        Jeremy Timberman, IT Production Specialist, NJAMHAA, Employee of the Year

Every individual not only at these organizations, but also all NJAMHAA member organizations and throughout the behavioral health stakeholder community, is truly a hero!