NNews April 2024

3 For the past 30 years, NJAMHAA has looked to broaden its reach; extended its hand, literally and figuratively, to other organizations; and established numerous meaningful partnerships. We have also been proactive in collaborating with businesses that provide valuable products and services to help maximize the quality of care, as well as other trade associations whosemissions alignwith our own. In fact, several of these strategic alliances were the impetus for the formation of our Education, Integrated Healthcare, Life Sciences and Innovation, and Technology Councils. Furthermore, we are active members of 14 state organizations and 12 national andworld associations, and we have additional strategic alliances with 55 other state and national entities! These collaborative relationships—as well as those with government leaders and service providers, of course— have resulted in a solid foundation for impactful advocacy that strengthens New Jersey’s behavioral healthcare system. At every opportunity, we continue to reach out to formnew alliances that helpNJAMHAA further support provider organizations, the workforce and individuals in need of their critical services. In addition to being proactive, NJAMHAA has demonstrated foresight over the years. For example, from the early days, we recognized the necessity for holistic, integrated services, andwe encouragedmembers to expand their capacity to adopt thismodel by providing the education and resources to do so. Related to this goal, NJAMHAA officially changed its name and became the trade association for substance use service providers in 2010—even before the statemerged itsmental health and addiction divisions. Another example was a housing conference NJAMHAA held 29 years ago before Housing First was a widely held concept or a current term. We convened the players, reaching far beyond traditional treatment providers and focusing on social determinants of health for a variety of populations, including communities of color and different From the Desk of Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies Inc. cultures and linguistic groups. Though diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) were collectively labeled as cultural competence back then, we led the charge and formed relationships to meet these needs. These partnerships led to many initiatives, including various cultural and linguistic conferences that we hosted under the auspices of the New Jersey Mental Health Institute and influenced changes in state, national and even international policies andmodels. Underscoring NJAMHAA’s dedication to ensuring DEI are the three Diverse Faces campaigns [Please use the links below to view these campaigns.], which illustrate themany different people working in the behavioral healthcare field and those needing and benefiting tremendously from the public, policy and legislative leaders at every level that every single person must have access to all the care and services they need with behavioral health and social determinants at the forefront! NJAMHAA’s broad viewhas generated newperspectives, strategies and collaborations with the goal of higher quality care and recovery for all New Jersey residents. Sincerely, Debra L. Wentz, PhD President and CEO Links to campaign brochures: Diverse Faces: All AreWorthy of Full Investment (2024) Diverse Faces, Partners in Care (2023) Diverse Faces, Many Lives: New Jerseyans Rely on Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Services to Thrive (2022)