NJAMHAA's Mission Statement
NJAMHAA’s mission is to promote the value of its members as the highest quality behavioral healthcare providers for the residents of New Jersey through advocacy and professional development.
Impact
Today, the vast majority of individuals with serious substance use and/or mental health disorders, as well as thousands of other persons with common behavioral problems, live and receive their services in the community. Hospital-based and freestanding behavioral healthcare providers (providers of treatment and support services for individuals who have mental illnesses, substance use disorders [SUD] and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities [I/DD]) that comprise the membership of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA) are the roots of this community-based system. Providing clinical treatment and support services to children and adults, regardless of their ability to pay, NJAMHAA’s members are key to the well being of the residents of New Jersey. For seven decades, NJAMHAA has fostered the growth and vitality of this system. Through advocacy, education, training, mutual support, development of key partnerships and a variety of services, NJAMHAA assists agencies committed to improving the availability and quality of behavioral health services throughout the state.
NJAMHAA is comprised of the leading mental healthcare, SUD treatment and I/DD service providers who serve New Jersey residents of all ages, as well as their families. Our membership represents organizations in every county and almost every community statewide. In aggregate, our members help more than 500,000 children and adults every year and employ more than 61,000 members of the state's workforce.
In January 2016, the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy released the study The Economic Contribution of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Industry to the New Jersey Economy, which provides an analysis of the direct economic impact from the services that agencies provide. Please click here to read the study.
Established in 1951, NJAMHAA has become recognized as a leader in providing effective advocacy and legislative support to our members and the community at large. In fact, NJAMHAA was honored by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (formerly the National Council for Behavioral Health) with the Advocacy Leadership Award for Organizational Excellence in June 2020.
Our association creates a face for the population of individuals with mental illness, SUD and/or I/DD who often have no voice of their own. Making sure individuals with behavioral health disorders are no longer invisible, ignored or misunderstood, NJAMHAA is in the national forefront fighting stigma and discrimination and helping them to improve their lives. We educate the public, as well as leaders and legislators. By leaning on our comprehensive support structure, our members stay focused on providing a high-quality continuum of care to ensure the recovery of adults and children dealing with mental illness, behavioral and emotional problems, SUD and/or I/DD.
Although we continue to evolve as the behavioral healthcare environment constantly changes, one thing always remains constant: Our commitment to support providers in their efforts to improve the lives of individuals with behavioral health challenges and their families.
Our presence is highly visible to policymakers and state and federal legislators on a consistent basis. NJAMHAA has access to key contacts in Trenton and in the nation's capital and our influence is extensive. Because of the large and comprehensive constituency of provider organizations we represent, NJAMHAA is a highly respected voice for the industry. Known for our persistence and perseverance, we are relentless and successful in our advocacy efforts on behalf of our members, and the individuals and families they serve.
Innovating for Progress, Partnering for Solutions, NJAMHAA's current identity piece, illustrates the tremendous benefits that NJAMHAA members provide through the quality and effectiveness of services that save lives and greatly enhance quality of life. The publication also highlights the fiscal value of these services by being cost-effective; preventing the need for much higher-cost healthcare services and other consequences of lack of or delayed treatment; and contributing directly to the state’s economy through employment, purchases, taxes and fees.
Click here for details on our advocacy successes in our FY2023 Annual Report, Breaking Barriers in Behavioral Health Care.
Click here for details on NJAMHAA's growth and impact throughout its 70-year history.
Click here to watch a video in which Governors Codey, McGreevey and Chris Christie, past and present NJAMHAA Board members, additional members, and other behavioral healthcare stakeholders share their views and memories of NJAMHAA's impact throughout its history.
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Transparency Policy of NJAMHAA Regarding Grants It is the mission of NJAMHAA and the New Jersey Mental Health Institute (NJMHI), its related 501(c)3 of which it is the sole member, to bring training and technical assistance and education to members and staff of behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment organizations. Therefore, NJAMHAA and NJMHI pursue grants and other funding to support both organizations in meeting these goals. It is with full transparency that NJAMHAA and NJMHI have permission from their Boards to seek grant funding from a variety of federal, state and local government sources even if some member organizations are applying for the same funding opportunities. All members benefit from these funded projects and the increased revenues to NJAMHAA and NJMHI, which result in resources, training and technical assistance for all, and enable NJAMHAA to keep any dues increases to only minimal amounts. |
