NJAMHAA-70th-anniversary-publication

56 D r. Wentz initially reached out to numerous stakeholders, as well as members, right after starting her position at NJAMHAA to learn about New Jersey’s and the nation’s mental health- care and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment systems and the challenges affecting access to care. Over the years, she has developed relationships with many stakeholders throughout the state and country – and even internationally – to partner with them in advocating on issues of mutual concern. “What makes NJAMHAA unique in New Jersey and the nation is that NJAMHAA has far reach into stake- holders. We belong to various coalitions and we’ve looked beyond the specific industry to bring in inno- vative thinking and keep NJAMHAA positioned as a business,” Dr. Wentz said. Currently, NJAMHAA is a member of 10 New Jersey organizations and 10 national associations. Examples in the state are the Center for Non-Profits, Employers Association of New Jersey, the Goals of Care Coalition, the Mental Health Coalition, the New Jersey chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-NJ), the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and the Supportive Housing Association of NJ. On the national level, NJAMHAA’s memberships include the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (formerly the National Council for Behavioral Health), the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors, the National Association of Behavioral Healthcare, NAMI and Mental Health America. In addition, NJAMHAA has established strategic alliances with 55 other state organizations, including the Arc of New Jersey, the Advocates for Children of New Jersey, the Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence-New Jersey, Attitudes In Reverse ® (AIR™), the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, the New Jersey Association of Community Providers and the New Jersey Mental Health Emergency Services Association, among others. NJAMHAA’s national strategic alliances include the Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network and the Legal Action Center. Also on the state level, Dr. Wentz was appointed to serve on the Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma at its inception, and NJAMHAA participates regularly in meetings of the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services’ Medical Assistance Advisory Council and the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ New Jersey Behavioral Health Planning Council. Through the New Jersey Mental Health Institute (NJMHI), which NJAMHAA established in 2000, collaborative initiatives were undertaken with the Neurosurgery Development Foundation in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Centre for Development Facilitation. Details on this and other NJMHI projects are described beginning on page 64. Extending Impact and Reach through Partnerships with other Stakeholders “When I was learning the landscape of New Jersey, NJAMHAA’s name came up many times as a valuable resource.” - Meredith Blount, NAMI-NJ