NJAMHAA-70th-anniversary-publication

10 1977 - President Jimmy Carter established the President’s Commission on Mental Health. 1979 - The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) was founded. 1976 - The 1976 Plan: A Manual for Reform of New Jersey’s Mental Health Care System was published. - AA published the third edition of its Big Book and reached a total circulation of 19.5 million. 1978 - Regional Children’s Crisis Intervention Service units were created in New Jersey. - Federal support for treatment began to decline and the number of incarcerated drug users began to increase. - The Federal Omnibus Reconciliation Act created the Mental Health Block Grant. - President Carter passed the Mental Health System Act The 1980s 1980s - NJAMHAA’s advocacy again resulted in a doubling of per-capita funding to $2. benefits service recipients, a focus that had been sharpened since Dr. Wentz came aboard. “If you look at the core principles of NJAMHAA, we have always focused on clients – their care. Our advocacy always centered around client care,” said Greg Speed, MSW, LCSW, currently Chief Integration Officer at Acenda Integrated Health, who had served on the NJAMHAA Board, including as Vice Chair, and chaired the Chil- dren’s Committee for many years. Commenting on NJAMHAA’s impact and ongoing partnership with members, Jacques Hryshko, LPC, ACS, Chief Executive Officer of Family Connections and current Vice Chair of NJAMHAA’s Board, said, “I see a recognition by the members of NJAMHAA that every issue we address is bigger than us individually and we are stronger together. We need to come to- gether, prioritize and strategize to move everything forward,” he said. Hryshko also acknowledged the efforts of the entire NJAMHAA staff. “They have a common mission to make NJAMHAA as impactful as it is. They’re always available, are so tuned into what’s happening and provide amazing information. They’re a tremendous asset at any time,” he said.