July 1, 2026
Statement from Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO, NJAMHAA:
NJAMHAA is pleased that Governor Mikie Sherrill has signed
the FY2027 $60.7 billion budget, which reflects the substantial advocacy
efforts NJAMHAA undertook to restore funding to the New Jersey Statewide
Student Support Services (NJ4S) program with $40 million in funding allocated
to this critical program serving students across the state. The new budget also
moves Governor Sherrill’s newly proposed program, School-based Partnerships for
Access and Resilience for Kids (SPARK), to the Department of Children and
Families (DCF) with $8 million in funding. We believe that is the appropriate
setting for SPARK to be able to work closely and collaboratively with all
existing children’s mental health programs. Restoration of NJ4S funding was a
significant triumph, and we are grateful to Governor Sherrill and her team, as
well as leadership at the Department of Children and Families and Department of
Education and legislative leadership, for the collaborative result.
Given that this was a very difficult budget year, it was a
win for all New Jerseyans that funding for behavioral health services across
all Departments was maintained. NJAMHAA will continue working to secure
additional funding needed to sustain mental health and substance use treatment
and supportive services for all of New Jersey’s children, youth and adults who
need them. NJAMHAA is particularly disappointed that funding for New Jersey’s
five Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Centers (CRSCs) was not included in the
budget. The CRSCs are a critical component of New Jersey’s 988 crisis system
and NJAMHAA will continue to work with Inseparable and other New Jersey
stakeholders to see they are funded. We appreciate that Senator Joseph Vitale
and Assemblywoman Carol Murphy have already introduced a bill for a
supplemental appropriation of $35 million for this purpose.
NJAMHAA is also grateful for funding for other programs that
individuals with mental health, substance use disorders and/or intellectual or
developmental disability rely on. These include the $154 million increase for
the Division of Developmental Disabilities; increased funding in all 21
counties for the Family Connects NJ and Cover All Kids programs; and $3 million
for the Division of Consumer Affairs to upgrade its licensing system and
complaint database – an item NJAMHAA has long advocated for. This is but one of
many critical components needed for efforts to build the workforce.
Other welcome items in the budget bill that support
behavioral health are found throughout many Departments. These include the
$513.5 million appropriation for the Children's System of Care, an increase
over the FY2026 level of $498.75 million, and the maintenance of $20 million
for the ARRIVE (Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence &
Escalation) Together Program.
NJAMHAA looks forward to working collaboratively with
Governor Sherrill, her Administration and state legislators to identify
additional funding for the critical behavioral health needs of New Jersey’s
children youth and adults during FY2027 and beyond. New Jersey’s behavioral
health system is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of residents living with
mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and
intellectual/developmental disabilities. A strong, well-funded community
behavioral health infrastructure is not only the right thing to do for New
Jerseyans; it is also among the most fiscally sound investments the state can
make. NJAMHAA remains committed to serving as a constructive and engaged
partner to the Sherrill Administration, the Legislature, and all stakeholders
as we work together toward best serving all New Jerseyans.
