ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. COUNSELORS, FAMILY URGE N.J. TO POSTPONE ENDING HOME-BASED THERAPY
2. KEEP STANDARD FOR COMMITMENT, BUT MAKE HELP AVAILABLE
3. CHRISTIE REJECTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING BILL
4. DMHAS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER JOB POSTED
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COUNSELORS, FAMILY URGE N.J. TO POSTPONE ENDING HOME-BASED THERAPY
Mental health counselors and a member of a family advocacy group urged state officials today to postpone plans to remove up to 9,000 children from a Medicaid home-based therapy program. The number is three times higher than what a state Department of Children and Families official cited earlier this month. The disclosure came during a hearing of the Assembly Human Services Committee to discuss the plan to discontinue home therapy for less seriously ill children.
See the full report:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/mental_health_counselors_famil.html
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KEEP STANDARD FOR COMMITMENT, BUT MAKE HELP AVAILABLE
In the debate over what could or couldn’t have been done to protect the public from Jared Loughner, some have argued it should be easier to force a mentally disturbed person into treatment. But a lost grip on reality isn’t enough to get someone involuntarily committed. A person also has to be determined a danger to themselves or others. The real issue here is not changing our legal standards for involuntary commitment, but improving access to mental health services so illness can be flagged early.
Read the Star Ledger Editorial and comments:
http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2011/01/keep_standards_high_for_involu.html
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CHRISTIE REJECTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING BILL
The question of how New Jersey provides affordable housing is back in the hands of the state Legislature after Gov. Chris Christie Monday conditionally vetoed a compromise bill aimed at revamping long-criticized rules. Christie said the bill would encourage sprawl, did not do enough to protect towns from lawsuits from developers, and would create more red tape.
Affordable housing advocates said Christie’s action set the state back. "The governor sided with wealthy towns that want to keep out bus drivers, waitresses and public employees," said Kevin Walsh, associate director of the Fair Share Housing Center.
Read more:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/gov_christie_rejects_nj_afford.html
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DMHAS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER JOB POSTED
The New Jersey Department of Human Services is seeking a progressive, experienced individual to fill the title of Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
See more:
http://jobview.philly.monster.com/Assistant-Commissioner-Job-Trenton-US-95902854.aspx
Send resume and a contact list of three (3) professional references by
February 11, 2011 to the attention of:
Rudene L. Vaught, Assistant Commissioner for Human Resources
222 South Warren Street, PO Box 700, Trenton, NJ 08625
Email: dhs.ExecutiveResume@dhs.state.nj.us
