MHANJ Update
MHANJ Evening of Excellence Announces Award Winners
MHANJ presents: "Shifting Paradigms: Cultural Narratives for Trauma as a Foundation for Quality Care" June 4, 2010. Register now!
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Consumer Videos Win Governor's Stigma Advocacy Award
The Mental Health Association in NJ and Collaborative Support Programs in NJ, produced three video messages last year, that were an important part of a successful budget advocacy campaign. Both organizations, and the nine consumers who shared their stories of recovery, will be receiving the Governor's Stigma Council Advocacy Award at the Council's annual Ambassador Awards on May 18, 2010. View one of the winning videos.
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Rosenzweig Withdraws Her Nomination and Steps Down as Acting DCF Commissioner
The troubled nomination of acting NJ Department of Children and Families Commissioner Janet Rosenzweig ended on April 16, 2010, when she withdrew her nomination, according to the governor's office. The senate voted 38-0 to send her back to the Judiciary Committee as questions persisted regarding her role in an organization specializing in sex research. Read More.
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NJ Department of Human Services
Data Dashboard: Monitor Hospital Census
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Editor, Robert Kley, VP, COO
Director of Advocacy, Barbara Johnston
Associate Editor, Renee Burawski
Graphic Design, Lauren De Poto
Comments and feedback can be directed to
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MHANJ Commentary
The Closing of Hagedorn: Much More Than a Budget Decision
The Governor's proposed closure of Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital and its 285 beds is projected to save $7.6 million dollars and eliminate 600 jobs in the state's payroll as part of the budget cuts to address our $10 billion dollar deficit. The potential closure is more than just a budget option; it is a reflection of the continuing reduction in the census at all our state psychiatric hospitals. The proposed closure of Hagedorn should provide a positive alternative to hospitalization for persons ready to be discharged to the community,
Over the past few years, the census in the NJ's Hospitals has been reduced by over 400 beds, with the current census under 1900 consumers. DMHS, in addition, has identified hundreds of people currently confined in the state hospitals who must be discharged under the Olmstead settlement in the next five years.
 The state hospital census has been dropping steadily, and will diminish further as Olmstead is carried out, making the closure of a facility an important policy decision. The Mental Health Association in New Jersey has always supported closure of state psychiatric hospitals on principle, provided that comprehensive planning, bridge funding and sufficient resources for community services are provided.
Closing an institution is a very difficult task and must be done with intensive planning which includes community input. The individuals in the institution are the responsibility of the State while hospitalized and the state must establish appropriate alternatives so they can be adequately served in the least restrictive settings once discharged. Our experience tells us that while some savings are realized, there must be additional investments in community housing and services for individuals who are discharged. Savings from an institutional closure should not be done at the expense of developing these appropriate alternatives. |
 Health Care Reform: The Perspective of Mental Health Advocates
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are expected to expand health care coverage to an additional 32 million citizens and legal immigrants by 2019! Mental Health America has prepared an analysis of the legislation from the perspective mental health advocates. It details the expansion of coverage for mental health and addiction treatment, changes in Medicaid, the impact of private insurance market reforms, improvement to care coordination, preventative and specific initiatives that impact on persons with mental illness. Read the full report.
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Updates on Privacy of Extinguished Psychiatric Hospital LiensIn November 2009, the privacy protection of psychiatric liens was signed into law. Advocates recognized the primary sponsor of the original bill, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora. Until 2005, state and county psychiatric hospitals recorded liens against their patients for the cost of their care. These records can still be viewed by the public causing stigma, the danger of identity theft, and jeopardizing future credit and employment. In November 2009, the privacy protection of psychiatric liens was signed into law. This new lien privacy law authorizes the removal of these records from public access. It will take effect in November 2010 . Read More |
Anti-Poverty Network: Budget Cuts Harm Safety Net
The Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey (APNNJ), a 300 member state-wide advocacy organization concerned with the elimination of poverty, has issued a report establishing the impact of the Governor's budget cuts on the social safety net. The report details the impact of these reductions on the state's most vulnerable populations. These areas include: elimination of general assistance payments, reduction in funding for the Work First NJ job training, reductions in school breakfast and lunch programs, suspension of adult enrollment in FamilyCare, increases in PADD deductibles and additional cuts to the disabled, housing and legal services. Read the full report. The APNNJ, in understanding the depth of the budget deficit, has developed a list of priorities for funding to be restored before the final budget is passed on June 30, 2010. Review the priorities. |
Some Budget Cuts Hit Hard Twice
Some states that are mulling over deep cuts in spending must also contend with the reality that they could lose millions of dollars in matching federal money. New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, has made headlines by proposing a budget that relies almost exclusively on cuts. "I was not sent here to approve tax increases; I was sent here to veto them," Christie, a Republican, told the majority Democratic legislature last month. "And mark my words, if a tax increase is sent to my desk, I will veto it." But as the Star-Ledger of Newark notes, New Jersey stands to lose tens of millions of dollars in matching grants from the federal government in Christie's budget plan becomes law. Read More |
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