NJAMHAA Works to the Last Minute Advocating for Sustained and Increased Funding for Behavioral Health Services

The New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) is working to the last possible minute, advocating for sustained and increased funding for the essential services our members provide.

NJAMHAA is eager to hear Governor Murphy’s budget address this morning and hopes the call for sustained and increased funding has been heard and heeded. Providers have been chronically underfunded and have faced even more financial challenges during the pandemic due to COVID-related costs they have incurred (e.g., personal protective equipment, retrofitting facilities to comply with social distancing guidelines, telehealth software and equipment).

This funding is also needed to strengthen the state’s bottom line.

“The demand for services has increased exponentially as a result of uncertainty, isolation, unemployment and loss stemming from the pandemic and the impact of social inequities,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA.

“New Jersey’s budget must maintain funding for behavioral health services for all children and adults with disabilities and increase funding to cover additional safety-related costs that providers have incurred, and to expand capacity to meet the growing need,” Dr. Wentz stated. “If sufficient funding is not provided, tens of thousands of individuals will not receive treatment or will seek it in emergency rooms. This preventable outcome will cost the state tens of thousands of dollars more than the highly effective community-based services.”