NJAMHAA News Winter 2023

7 Winter 2023 collective strategies to improve systems — an aim that is purposeful. There are many possibilities for future and ongoing collaborative opportunities. NJAMHAANews: How do you see your experience and expertise benefiting NJMHI and, through its initiatives, NJAMHAAmembers and the individuals they serve? Elsa Candelario: My multiple lenses of social worker, educator, and administrator with a commitment to improving conditions for under-resourced communities will informNJMHI’s policies and initiatives. I was the inaugural chair of the NJ Governor’s Council onMental Health Stigma, served on the NJ Governor’s Blue-Ribbon Panel on Immigrant Integration, on the Governor’s NJ Advisory Commission on the Status of Women and on similar commissions and task forces that aim to increase access by removing barriers. The work of these bodies is connected toNJMHI’s mission and its efforts, including its recently launchedmentoring program. In fact, in my current role as Director of the LISTA Certificate Program at Rutgers SSW, a program that prepares social work students for effective practice with Latina/o/x populations through tailored courses and internships, I implemented the LISTA Linksmentoring initiative that supports the professional development of Latina/o/x social workers through a mentoring relationship with Latina/o/x alumni. Additionally, the courses that I teach include those focused on organizational leadership and management and these are perspectives that will contribute to NJMHI’s goals, including its workforce development initiatives. Board service has the necessary component of organizational oversight and the exciting element of mission ambassadorship. I look forward to working with the board and staff to fulfill NJMHI’s important mission and priorities. Strategic collaborations are required to deal with complex issues such as the need to recruit and retain an effective and diverse workforce to the nonprofit sector and remove barriers to service. NJMHI presents a collaborative space across its organizational objectives, particularly those related to strengthening the leadership of nonprofits through mentorship and developing initiatives to improve acceptance of and access to behavioral health services. HowWe Serve  Treats mental illnesses and addictions  Teaches coping skills and resiliency to children through in-school prevention programs  Counsels individuals and families so they can deal with stress, grief and challenging relationships  Helps children who have been abused and neglecte d — and their families — heal  Runs a successful alternative education and career program for young adults  Supports seniors so they can live as independently as possible  Performs psychological first aid for communities in crisis  Provides affordable homes for people with special needs NewBridge brings balance to people’s lives through counseling, housing and education. NewBridge Services serves indiv iduals from children to seniors and is conveniently located in Haskell, Parsippany and Sparta 973-316-9333 NewBridgeServices, I nc. 7 I ndust rial Road Pequannock, NJ 07440 www.newbridge.org 3 Pillars:  Counseling  Housing  Education 973-316-9333 www.newbridge.org Ensuring community access to quality services Accepts All Insurances including Medicare & Medicaid