NJAMHAA-FY23-Annual-Report

19 NJAMHAA Annual Report FY 2023 Members Contribute to Content and Impact of NJAMHAA’s Advocacy Members heeded NJAMHAA’s call to share the Diverse Faces: Partners in Care campaign with their staff, Board members, other colleagues, friends, family members and communities to bolster advocacy for funding, legislation and policies that support the dismantling of obstacles to receiving clinical care and support services. For example, Family Connections and SERV Behavioral Health Systems shared that they featured the campaign in their electronic newsletters to their staff and Board members and on their social media pages. In addition, members used the campaign and other resources from NJAMHAA in meetings with their local legislators. For instance, Michael D’Amico, LCSW, Vice President of Oaks Integrated Care, requested copies of the Diverse Faces: Partners in Care brochure and other advocacy materials to use in an introductory meeting with Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D-38th District), Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, in March. Another illustration is a request from Laura Balkan, Deputy Director of The Wellspring Center for Prevention, for NJAMHAA’s assistance in developing a template invitation for School- Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) directors to use to Keep the Strong Advocacy Going for Full Behavioral Healthcare Support in the FY2024 Budget! Share the Impactful and Inspiring Examples of the Value of Services from NJAMHAA’s Diverse Faces, Partners in Care Campaign Governor Phil Murphy included significant funding for the behavioral healthcare workforce in his proposed FY2024 State Budget! Click here for details. We all must keep advocating to ensure that the State Legislature keeps all of the Governor’s proposed funding for the behavioral healthcare system, as well as additional resources, in the final budget bill! Click here to read testimony that NJAMHAA President and CEO Debra L. Wentz, PhD, and NJAMHAA Board Chair Jacques Hryshko, LPC, ACS, who is also CEO of Family Connections, recently presented to the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Please continue to use NJAMHAA’s highly impactful Diverse Faces: Partners in Care campaign brochure and videos in your advocacy, and on your websites and social media pages! For example, highlight the inspiring story of Jessi’s successes and future goals, and her counselor JP’s role in making this possible. Also add your own experiences and examples of the impact you and your team are having on New Jersey residents’ quality of life! Click here to hear how JP supports Jessi and many other LGBTQIA+ youth to work through common struggles and build their confidence. NJAMHAA sends infinite gratitude to the sponsors of this campaign: ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN EMAIL PROMOTION TO MEMBERS