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MENTAL HEALTH NOTES |
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TMMental
Health Advocates |
Faced with the largest budget deficit in NJ history, the FY'04 budget that Governor James McGreevey proposed contained 90th good and bad news for the mental health community. Mental health advocates were well aware that it was imperative that they alert legislators of the ramifications of the proposed budget upon the lives of NJ residents who have chronic mental illnesses. Advocates were relieved to see that the proposed budget for the Department of Human Services included a $6.7 million increase to support Redirection II, as well as a $3 million increase for the Partnership for Children. However, advocates were alarmed to learn that the budget did not contain a cost of living adjustment for direct care staff. In addition, the proposed budget included a plan to implement a medication, outpatient, and emergency room co-payment system for Medicaid recipients. Furthermore, it included a $25 million cut from the NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) that would dramatically reduce the agency's ability to link people to affordable housing opportunities. In response to the Governor's proposed budget, the Consumer Advocacy Partnership, a collaboration with the Mental Health Association in NJ (MHANJ), Collaborative Support Programs in New Jersey (CSPNJ), the Consumer Provider Agency in New Jersey (CP ANJ), and the Coalition of Mental Health Consumer Organizations (COMHCO), called members |
of the mental health community to action. In March of this year, over 300 members of the mental health community gathered in Trenton to participate In the PartnershIp s budget hearIng forum. More than 50 consumers testified that the proposed cuts would hinder their recovery and in some cases, result in life threatening situations. Kevin Ryan, Assistant Director of Operations in the Governor's office, challenged the audience to organize a letter writing campaign to the Governor voicing its opposition to the proposed cuts. In June, members of the Partnership delivered more than 2,500 letters to Kevin Ryan at the State Capitol reflecting the strong voice of the mental health community. On June 16th, the Partnership held a rally on the steps of the Capitol that was attended by 1,500 participants who reiterated the message... "Don't balance the budget on the backs of those most vulnerable." In the end, the mental health community achieved success! On July
1, 2003, Governor McGreevey approved his final budget for fiscal
year 2004 that saved $10 million for Redirection II and $3 million
for the Partnership for Children; he restored the necessary medical
coverage to Medicaid and GA recipients; he blocked the implementation
of co-payments for medication, outpatient visits and emergency room
use under Medicaid FFS and GA; and the $25 million cut from HMFA
budget was reinstated. |
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MHASWNJ Facilitates Process to Address Camden County's Juvenile Justice System over Reliance on Detention and Incarceration On April 1st, the MHASWNJ joined forces with the MHANJ and the National MHA to convene a community forum to develop a strategy for keeping youth in their communities rather than placing them in the juvenile detention facility. The fifty participants heard presentations from the NMHA staff regarding the prevalence of this problem throughout the country. The MHANJ shared the summary of the results of the screening it had conducted in the juvenile probation departments in Camden, Mercer and Bergen Counties. This report reflected that a significant percentage of these youth had "at risk" scores in anger management and traumatic loss. A panel comprised of Assemblywoman Mary Previte, Lisa Macaluso and Joseph Gunn identified the barriers to the recognition and treatment of mental health needs of youth in the Camden County juvenile justice system. Participants then worked in groups to begin to develop action priorities. By the end of the afternoon, it was evident that more time was needed to conclude this process. Thirty individuals re-convened on May 28th to continue the planning process. As a result, a workgroup has been created to meet with Camden County judges to discuss and develop viable community alternatives to detention and incarceration. |
The summer has flown by at the MHASWNJ and the "down time"
that I had eagerly anticipated never arrived! September always seems
as though it should be the first month of the calendar year. Summer
vacation plans are now memories, schools are open and suddenly those
postponed meetings are reconvening. As a student, I was energized
by new notebooks with fresh blank pages that beckoned to record
my class notes and organize tasks to insure a successful term. Years
later, a fresh notebook in September still gives me a sense of renewed
enthusiasm!
Despite a major snow storm the week before with subsequent
rain, sleet, and fog, The Ninth Annual Bell Ball was held
on Saturday, February 22, 2003 at The Ballroom at the Ben
in Philadelphia, PA without a hitch. More than 300 guests
were treated to an evening of dinner, dancing, live music
by Don't Call Me Francis, an exceptional Silent Auction, and
raffle. Once again, The Bell Ball Committee created an enchanting
evening by utilizing the talents and creativity of all 41
members. The Co-Chairs for The Ninth Annual Bell Bell were
Kathleen Dickey and Linda Watson. Both of the co-chairs spent
endless hours making sure every detail of the event was taken
care of as well as led the committee members in the entire
planning stages of the dinner dance. 
Additionally, Kathleen and Linda made sure The Bell Ball planning
sub-committees were supported and given the assistance they
needed to insure a successful evening. 
Much-
kudos goes out to the following sub-committee co-chairs for
their tireless efforts to create a memorable and successful
evening—Susan Grabiak & Michele Walker (Raffle); Nancy
Mulvenna & Nancy Siciliano (Reservations); Joanne deMenna
& Kahikina Schrier (Publicity); Betsy Rhodes & Lisa Sarubbi
(Decorations); and Cheryl Cucinotta (Invitations). A special
"thank you" is reserved for Nancy Weber, Director of Development
for the agency, who again took the event's Program Book under
her direction and created a phenomenal, unrivaled, and SOLD
OUT book. The Ninth Annual Bell Ball was again a tremendous
success and will aid the MHASWNJ in providing quality services
and programs for those suffering with mental illness.
On
Sunday, May 18th more than 2,000 individuals participated in a 5K
walk in Mt. Holly for the National Alliance for the Mentally ill
(NAMI). Hugh O'Neill, a longtime volunteer and member of NAMI of
Camden County, sponsored the 15 members of the MHASWNj's Gathering.
The Gathering wore t-shirts honoring the late Donald Mays, Jr.,
their beloved friend, founding member and fierce advocate.
The MHASWNJ's very own Anthony Davis, Director of the Career Center,
was honored in March of this year with the Association for Persons
in Supported Employment's(APSE) Supervisor of the Year award. APSE,
a national organization with state affiliates, assists in the establishment,
expansion, and refinement of quality supported employment for individuals
with severe disabilities. Of the dozens of nominations that APSE
received for this year's honor, one nominee stood out above the
rest. 
THE
MHASWNJ'S ANNUAL MEETING
Valentine's
Day
Summer
Luau 
In 1998, Sam Sweet came to the MHASWNJ through a temporary employment
agency...the rest as they say is history! Although Sam, had retired
from a successful accounting career with Kraft Foods, he was willing
and (very) able to have a second career with the MHASWNJ! The past
five years have brought significant program and fiscal growth to
this agency. Sam's considerable professional knowledge and experience
combined, with his willingness to pitch in and help out with "whatever"
has made him a valued friend to his co-workers and a tremendous
asset to our organization. Sam has decided to retire as of September
30th. While we can appreciate his desire to throw away his alarm
clock, we are truly sad to see Sam go.
Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald was chosen to receive the MHANJ 2003 Leadership Award
for his formidable, tireless, and tenacious leadership as Chairperson of the
Assembly Budget Committee during the FY '04 Budget process to ensure that all
elements of the budget impacting the lives of mental health consumers were crafted in
such a way as to help consumers in their efforts to reach their recovery potential.
Assemblyman Greenwald was not afraid to confront members of the administration and
state government in order to secure these important ends. Most notably, he is to be
commended for his work to preserve and increase funding to the Partnership of Children.