NJAMHAA’s Year of Advocacy Achievements further Highlighted with Award from the National Council for Behavioral Health

NJAMHAA’s recent Annual Membership Meeting was a celebration of NJAMHAA’s advocacy achievements and its members’ contributions. It was even more meaningful because shortly before the event, NJAMHAA learned that it was selected to receive the prestigious Advocacy Leadership Award for Organizational Excellence from the National Council for Behavioral Health. This recognition is a meaningful testament to the effectiveness of our efforts.

For example, our advocacy has led to the state's increased reimbursement rate for long-term residential substance use disorder treatment services, which went into effect on June 1, 2020, despite budgetary challenges; the federal government's extension and expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics; and relaxation of the state and federal governments’ telehealth regulations during the pandemic. We are advocating strongly for these regulatory changes to be permanent, as NJAMHAA members want to maintain the option of using them either in a hybrid model of in-person and virtual service delivery as per the needs of each organization. Telehealth has clearly increased access to services and it will be needed to meet the expected increased demand for services after the pandemic is declared to be over.

Many more examples of our impactful advocacy are highlighted in our FY2020 Annual Report: A Year Like No Other. Please click here to read this report and gain the details of how our work together is continually reinforcing New Jersey’s mental healthcare and substance use treatment system.

NJAMHAA President and CEO Calls to Stand Together to Promote Social Justice and Racial Equality

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

While as a society we have made progress toward equality, the brutal murder of George Floyd shows that despite the advancements, much more work is needed to eradicate injustice. In fact, this horrific incident of George Floyd’s death sets us back more than 50 years when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.

 

This incomprehensible tragedy and the intense reactions to it have resulted in an emotional rawness throughout our society. Many people are traumatized and rightfully so. The harrowing impact is further compounded as we are also struggling to cope with the distressing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

NJAMHAA remains dedicated to helping people cope with these emotional difficulties and to fighting for justice and equity for all human beings regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, origin or gender. To level the playing field, we continuously advocate for equal access to all healthcare services and supports to address social determinants of health, which include housing, employment and access to education, transportation and health care. Our member providers offer a full continuum of services to meet all health and social needs.

To reach the very progress that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. espoused, we must -- and we will – stand strongly together to promote social justice and racial equality; oppose violence against our human brothers and sisters; and beseech all to display compassion and demonstrate understanding of and love for all others at all times.