March 23, 2023

On March 21, 2023, Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA, and Jacques Hryshko, LPC, ACS, NJAMHAA Board Chair and CEO of Family Connections, testified on the FY2024 State Budget at a public hearing held by the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

"Never before have mental health and substance use disorders been at the forefront of the news. The reason is that never before have so many people of all races, ages, genders, and ethnicities been experiencing anxiety, depression, substance use, other disorders and, most unfortunately, suicides," Dr. Wentz stated. She shared two of the compelling, inspiring stories of individuals' successes that were made possible by the clinical and support services they received, which are featured in NJAMHAA’s campaign, Diverse Faces, Partners in Care.

Dr. Wentz urged the legislators to "please look at the diverse faces in our brochure and listen to Favio, Stephanie and others’ success stories in their videos. Their stories convey why these and other proposed investments are imperative today and for New Jersey’s future."

Click here to read Dr Wentz's full testimony.

“Community providers are experiencing a workforce crisis. Our staff are leaving our workforce during a time of unprecedented demand for mental health services. The Governor’s Budget offers tremendous hope that community providers can become sustainable,” Hryshko stated in his testimony. “Let’s seize the opportunity in this budget to make needed funding adjustments to support and sustain the work of community-based mental health and substance use treatment providers so that access to quality treatment services to all in New Jersey can be ensured. Please support the strengthened funding for mental health and substance use treatment services that is in the FY2024 Governor’s Budget.”

Please join NJAMHAA in ongoing advocacy for additional funding to support behavioral healthcare providers and their mission to serve everyone in need! Use the campaign materials in advocacy to your local legislators; and share them with your colleagues, Boards, friends and families, and on your social media pages! Click here to access the campaign brochure and here to access the videos.