ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. STATE'S LONGTIME MENTAL HEALTH CHIEF TO STEP DOWN JULY
1
2. ACTING GOVERNOR RELEASES MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE
REPORT
3. GOVERNOR SIGNS LIEN LAW
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STATE'S LONGTIME MENTAL HEALTH CHIEF TO STEP DOWN JULY 1
Alan Kaufman, the state's mental health chief for 17 years,
announced his retirement yesterday at a time when the state
has made mental health care a fiscal and social priority.
Kaufman told friends, "I know that together we have
greatly improved our public mental health system and helped
countless thousands of consumers and their families in receiving
the services and support so much deserved."
Read the Star Ledger story:
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-9/111267942046020.xml
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ACTING GOVERNOR RELEASES MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE REPORT
Acting Governor Richard J. Codey today unveiled recommendations
submitted by the Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health
that will make a lasting difference in the lives of people
with mental illness in New Jersey.
“The years of pretending the problems of mental illness
belong to someone else are over,” Codey said. “Today,
anyone who has lived with mental illness should know –
you are not alone. New Jersey is committed to helping you.
Read the Governor’s press release and summary of recommendations:
http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/governor/njnewsline/view_article.pl?id=2440
Read the full Task Force report:
http://www.nj.gov/mentalhealth/final-report.pdf
You will need Adobe Acrobat to view the report. You can
download the program free,
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
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GOVERNOR SIGNS LIEN LAW
In a victory for NAMI NEW JERSEY Advocates and allies,
Acting Governor Richard Codey signed legislation that wipes
out existing liens for individuals who have been hospitalized
at a state or county psychiatric hospital and prohibits
future liens. The Acting Governor signed A779 during a statewide
mental health summit focusing on living successfully with
mental illness.
Read the Governor’s press release:
http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/governor/njnewsline/view_article.pl?id=2431
Read the full law:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2004/Bills/A1000/779_U2.HTM
