ADVOCACY NEWS FROM NAMI NEW JERSEY:
1. CODEY NAMES MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE CHIEF
2. MENTALLY ILL KIDS FACE THREE MORE MONTHS BEHIND BARS
3. INTERIM LIEN LAW PROCEDURES
4. HOUSING TRUST FUND ADVANCES IN SENATE
5. PUBLIC ADVOCATE BILL NEARS PASSAGE
6. BUDGET ADVOCACY NEEDED – NOW!
7. YOUNG GUTHRIE TO PLAY GREYSTONE
*********************************************
CODEY NAMES MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE CHIEF
A 34-year-old president of a Hackensack affordable housing
agency for people with mental illness has been selected
to become the first special assistant commissioner for the
state Division of Mental Health Services. Mental health
advocates yesterday praised the selection of Kevin Martone
of Lake Hopatcong, describing him as both energetic and
capable of carrying out acting Gov. Richard Codey's agenda
to improve mental health care.
Read Susan Livio’s report:
http://www.nj.com/statehouse/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1119595931164070.xml&coll=1
*********************************************
MENTALLY ILL KIDS FACE THREE MORE MONTHS BEHIND BARS
State fails to comply with order to give care at
treatment centers
The state will not meet a June 30 deadline to stop illegally
warehousing mentally ill children in juvenile detention
centers because there are no beds available for them at
treatment centers, a Human Services Department official
said. Kathi Way, deputy commissioner for the Office of Children
Services, told legislators the state needs another three
months to find enough treatment beds to accommodate the
children -- one of whom has been kept in a detention center
since December 2004.
Read the Star Ledger Report:
http://www.nj.com/statehouse/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1118987056180250.xml&coll=1
*********************************************
INTERIM LIEN LAW PROCEDURES
Regulations have not yet been promulgated for PL 2005,
c.55. In the interim persons affected by liens may contact
the Supervisor of Patients Accounts (SPA) at the State Psychiatric
Hospital where their hospitalization occurred and request
an application to have their lien(s) discharged.
Read more:
http://www.naminj.org/advocacy/Interim_Lien_Law_Procedures.htm
The Lien Law - Key Provisions
http://www.naminj.org/advocacy/Lien_Law_key_provisions.htm
*********************************************
HOUSING TRUST FUND ADVANCES IN SENATE
The $200 million would be borrowed to pay for 10,000 new
housing units for the mentally ill over 10 years.
A state Senate budget panel has voted, 14-1, to establish
a $200 million housing trust fund for people with mental
illness and other special needs. The bill, sponsored by
acting Gov. Richard J. Codey in his dual role as Senate
president, would authorize borrowing the money to pay for
the creation of 10,000 housing units over 10 years. The
bill awaits consideration by the full Senate.
Read the Philadelphia Inquirer story:
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/local/11916212.htm
Governor Codey’s Statement on Vote to Create Special
Needs Housing Trust Fund
http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/governor/njnewsline/view_article.pl?id=2583
*********************************************
PUBLIC ADVOCATE BILL NEARS PASSAGE
Bills to bring back the Department of the Public Advocate
after a decade-long absence and make permanent the newly
created Office of the Inspector General are in position
for final legislative approval Thursday. For two decades,
from 1974 to 1994, the public advocate had broad powers
to represent the public interest that included suing other
state agencies. It was abolished by former Gov. Christie
Whitman during her drive to reduce the size of government.
Legislation to restore the department passed the Senate
yesterday, 25-12, paving the way for final passage in the
Assembly on Thursday. The Assembly already has passed the
bill (A-1424) but still must approve changes made in the
Senate.
Read the news report:
http://www.nj.com/statehouse/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1119330651111430.xml&coll=1
*********************************************
BUDGET ADVOCACY NEEDED – NOW!
NAMI NEW JERSEY Advocates are needed to speak up for increased
mental health spending. The New Jersey Legislature is entering
the final phase of negotiations over the 2006 state budget
that goes into effect on July 1. There is enormous competition
among the special interest to get a share of the funds that
needed to enhance our overwhelmed mental health system of
care. It is imperative that we make our voices heard. Advocates
are needed to contact their state legislators and urge them
to fully fund the following.
For More Information:
http://www.naminj.org/advocacy/advocacy_alerts.html
*********************************************
YOUNG GUTHRIE TO PLAY OLD HOSPITAL
Woody's granddaughter to lead show at new park site
The granddaughter of Woody Guthrie, the folk music legend
who was held at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in the
1950s and '60s, will help kick off a new chapter for the
old hospital's grounds this summer, officials said yesterday.
Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, her husband, will bring
their brand of folk-rock to Parsippany on Aug. 14, as headliners
of the first music show to be held on the more than 300
acres of hospital grounds now owned by Morris County. Woody
Guthrie was arrested in New Jersey in 1956, charged with
"aimless wandering," and taken to what he called
"Gravestone," where he lived for five years.
Read Larry Ragonese’s story:
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/morris/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1119418668251720.xml&coll=1
