FY2026 Annual Report

30 75 th Anniversary In addition, NJAMHAA has in-kind members that include other trade associations and coalitions. We continually share information and collaborate on advocacy efforts to reinforce all the entities’ efforts to support providers and the individuals they serve. To facilitate ongoing communication and collaboration, NJAMHAA’s in-kind members are encouraged to participate in NJAMHAA’s Membership Meetings, on practice groups and in meetings of the Education, Hospital Community Integration, Health Maintenance Organization and Life Sciences and Innovation Councils. Regional • N ational Institute on Drug Abuse’s Clinical Trials Network – Dr. Wentz serves on the New York Steering Committee. • N ortheast-Caribbean Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network National • Arudia • Legal Action Center • Mental Health America • National Alliance on Mental Illness • N ational Association for Behavioral Healthcare • N ational Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors • N ational Association of Puerto Rican and Hispanic Social Workers • N ational Council for Mental Wellbeing and its State Association Executives Committee, Addictions Committee, Public Policy Committee and Ambassadors’ Network • N ational Hispanic Medical Association International • U nited Nations Convention of Rights of Citizens with Disabilities • W orld Federation for Mental Health In-kind Members: • BioNJ • G oals of Care Coalition of New Jersey • H ealthCare Institute of New Jersey • N ational Alliance on Mental Illness - New Jersey • N ational Association of Case Management • N ational Center for Advocacy and Recovery for Behavioral Health • N ew Jersey Center for Nonprofits • N ew Jersey Coalition for Addiction Recovery Support • N ew Jersey Health Care Quality Institute • S upportive Housing Association of New Jersey A s many issues affect the entire nation’s behavioral healthcare system, as well as the state’s, NJAMHAA continually reinforces existing alliances and seeks new partnerships to maximize the impact of advocacy for all providers and the individuals they serve. NJAMHAA’s extensive strategic alliances currently include active participation in 66 state organizations, companies, committees and advisory groups, and 19 regional, national and international organizations. Notable examples include: Strategic Alliances with other Stakeholder Organizations State • A lliance for the Betterment for Citizens with Disabilities • A lliance for Strong Families and Communities • A merican Association of Marriage and Family Therapy of New Jersey • A rc of New Jersey • A dvocates for Children of New Jersey • A utism New Jersey • D isability Rights New Jersey • E mployers Association of New Jersey • G overnor’s Council on Substance Use Disorder • M ental Health Association in New Jersey • M ental Health Coalition • N ational Association of Social Workers – New Jersey • N ew Jersey Business and Industry Association • N ew Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services’ (DMAHS’) Medical Assistance Advisory Council • N ew Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma: NJAMHAA President and CEO Debra L. Wentz, PhD, has served on this Council since its inception and was appointed Chair in 2021. • N ew Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ (NJ DMHAS’) Addictions Professional Advisory Council: NJAMHAA staff has been attending this group’s meetings as guests for years, and Dr. Wentz was officially appointed to it in 2023. • N J DMHAS’ Behavioral Health Planning Council • N J DMAHS’ Integrated Behavioral Health Advisory Hub • N ew Jersey Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council – Dr. Wentz was appointed by the Governor to serve as a public member on this council since its inception. • N ew Jersey Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council – Shauna Fuzes was appointed by then Senate President Stephen Sweeney to serve on this council.