News & Press https://psychologynj.org/news/default.asp Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:50:00 GMT Thu, 2 Jan 2025 15:14:00 GMT Copyright © 2025 New Jersey Psychological Association Gov. Murphy signed A3853/S2988 Into Law! https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=690210 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=690210 December 31, 2024


I am pleased to report that today, December 31, 2024, Gov. Murphy signed A3853/S2988 (Conaway, McCoy, Speight/Gopal, Pou) into law, extending certain pay parity regarding telemedicine and telehealth until July 1, 2026. 

Thank you to Committee on Legislative Affairs (COLA) co-chaired by Drs. Ana Bullock and Alexandra Miller Clark, our Director of Professional Affairs Dr. Susan McGroarty, and our government affairs agents Jon Bombardieri and Nicole Howarth Gray for their efforts on this issue. In 2025, we will work toward permanent payment parity for telehealth psychological services. 

Happy Near Year! 

Sara Tedrick Parikh, PhD
Executive Director

 
]]> Thu, 2 Jan 2025 16:14:00 GMT Update on Telehealth Payment Parity Bill https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=688486 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=688486 Telehealth has revolutionized behavioral and mental health care by breaking down barriers to access and ensuring timely, personalized support. For those facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, telehealth offers a safe, discreet, and effective way to seek help, fostering improved outcomes and greater overall well-being. 

On December 21, Governor Murphy signed A5757 (Conaway)/S4127 Gopal which amends section 11 of P.L.2021, c.310 to extend the end date from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, during which time a health benefits plan in this State is to provide coverage and payment for health care services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth at a provider reimbursement rate that equals the provider reimbursement rate that is applicable, when the services are delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey, provided the services are otherwise covered by the health benefits plan when delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey.

Under the original 2021 telehealth parity legislation, the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance was to conduct a study, due July 2023, to determine whether telemedicine and telehealth may be appropriately used to satisfy network adequacy requirements applicable to health benefits plans in New Jersey. The commissioner was to prepare and submit a report to the Governor and, outlining the commissioner’s findings and any recommendations for legislation, administrative action, or other actions as the commissioner deems appropriate.
In response to our advocacy, Assemblyman Conaway has introduced A3853, and Senator Gopal has introduced S2988, which extends certain pay parity regarding telemedicine and telehealth for one additional year. The Assembly version is in the Assembly Health Committee and the Senate version is in the Senate Budget Committee. 

The Department of Health is now targeting the end of December 2024 for the study to be complete, which does not provide sufficient time to review the findings before the extension runs out. Similar to last year, we have less than four weeks remaining before pay parity sunsets. It is crucial to ensure this legislation is passed and enacted before the year’s end (December 31 at 11:59 PM).

We are pleased to share that we have spoken to Senator Sarlo, Chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee regarding telehealth and he has officially scheduled the bill for posting on Monday, December 9th. This marks a significant step forward in advancing this important piece of legislation, and we are grateful for the chairman’s support and leadership. We look forward to continuing the discussion and advocating for its passage. 

Jon Bombadieri
NJPA Government Affairs Agent


]]> Thu, 5 Dec 2024 17:55:00 GMT GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNS LEGISLATION ENSURING PERSONALIZED POSTPARTUM CARE PLAN https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=687329 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=687329 On Monday, November 18th, Governor Murphy signed S912/A3887, sponsored by Senator Corrado and Assemblywoman Swain, which establishes requirements concerning provision of postpartum care information and development of individualized postpartum care plans.

The law, which the New Jersey Psychological Association advocated for, requires healthcare professionals to offer pregnant patients an individualized postpartum treatment plan as part of prenatal care. Under the law, each plan must include a variety of information, including notes about any of the patient’s pregnancy complications and recommended follow-ups, guidance regarding signs and symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety, recommendations for the management of postpartum issues, and advice regarding breastfeeding.

“The physical and emotional demands of childbirth and caring for a newborn can be significant and at times, overwhelming. Unfortunately, postpartum symptoms can be difficult to identify and lead to complications, or worse, if left untreated," said Senator Kristin Corrado. "By requiring health care professionals to provide information about personalized postpartum care plans, we are empowering mothers to prioritize their health and well-being during and after pregnancy. This new law will directly help reduce preventable pregnancy-related mortality and enhance women's healthcare overall."

Maternal mortality and morbidity rates have increased over the last 20 years, both in New Jersey and nationwide. About 26 women die on average for every 100,000 births in New Jersey compared to about 23.2 deaths nationally, according to America’s Health Rankings a report by the United Health Foundation. The rates are higher for Black women, compared with white, Hispanic and Asian women.

Even though it’s estimated that between one-third and one-half of pregnancy-associated deaths occur during the postpartum period, as many as 40% of women never seek out or receive postpartum care, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

According to Nurture NJ, New Jersey ranks 28th in the nation for maternal health, according to the latest rankings.

]]> Tue, 19 Nov 2024 17:52:00 GMT NJ to Launch New Round of Student Loan Redemption for Behavioral Healthcare Professionals https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=683993 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=683993 New Jersey to Bolster Mental Health Workforce with Launch of New Round of Student Loan Redemption for Behavioral Healthcare Professionals

Eligible Professionals Serving their Communities Can Apply in October for up to $180,000 in Student Loan Redemption and Incentive Grants
 
TRENTON – As part of Governor Phil Murphy’s commitment to increase access to mental health supports in our state, the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) today announced that the application period is open for behavioral healthcare professionals to apply for up to $180,000 in student loan redemption and incentive grants. This program aims to incentivize eligible professionals to provide mental health services to residents throughout New Jersey.

“Bolstering mental health supports, especially on behalf of young people, remains one of my Administration’s highest priorities,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This student loan redemption program represents one of the many steps our state is taking to comprehensively incentivize and support professionals in providing behavioral health services. I remain committed to building upon our ongoing efforts to ensure every resident is able to access the mental health care that they need.”

“By alleviating the student loan debt of eligible behavioral healthcare providers, we encourage more professionals to continue providing behavioral and mental healthcare in our communities,” said HESAA Executive Director Margo Chaly, Esq. “HESAA is proud to play a role in helping to expand access to these crucial services through one of the several student loan redemption programs that we offer dedicated professionals serving New Jersey residents. I thank Governor Murphy and the Legislature for their ongoing support, including an additional $2 million to fund this crucial program.”

“This new round of funding is an amazing resource designed to support specialized healthcare providers throughout the Garden State,” said Chairwoman of HESAA Board Christy Van Horn. “I commend the HESAA team for the successful launch and continued administration of this program, which positively impacts the lives of our behavioral health practitioners – who are, in turn, providing life-changing support to their clients."

Eligible behavioral healthcare providers working full-time at approved sites in New Jersey operated by nonprofits, educational institutions, or government entities can apply for student loan redemption in exchange for up to six years of service. For every two years of direct clinical practice with patients or clients at an approved site, HESAA will redeem up to $50,000 of a program participant’s student loans associated with their behavioral health-related degree(s).

On top of the maximum total loan redemption of $150,000 for all program participants, behavioral healthcare professionals working primarily with children and adolescents can also receive a supplemental grant of up to $5,000 per year, for a maximum total of $180,000 in student loan redemption and incentive grants.  

In its third round of funding, a total of $7 million from the Fiscal Year 2025 budget is available to be awarded. Since the initial launch of this career-based student loan redemption program in January 2023, 94 behavioral healthcare professionals are participating in this career-based student loan redemption program. Anyone who applied during either of the previous rounds of funding and was not accepted into the program must reapply to be considered for student loan redemption under this new round of funding.

To be eligible for student loan redemption, providers must live in New Jersey and work full-time at an approved site throughout the duration of their participation in the program, for a minimum of two years. Providers must maintain one or more applicable licenses to provide mental or behavioral healthcare in New Jersey and must serve as one of the following eligible provider professions:
• board certified behavior analyst
• licensed associate counselor
• licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor
• licensed clinical social worker
• licensed professional counselor 
• licensed psychologist
• licensed social worker
• psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist
• psychiatrist

To address the areas of the State with the most severe shortages of behavioral healthcare providers, HESAA uses a scoring system to select participants. Using data from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, applications are scored based on the demand for the occupation, the demand in each county, the applicant’s salary, and whether the applicant works primarily with children or adolescents.

For more information on eligibility and application requirements, and to access the application visit www.hesaa.org/Pages/BHLRP.aspx
 
 
]]> Tue, 8 Oct 2024 13:22:00 GMT Gov. Murphy Declares May is Mental Health Awareness Month https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=671874 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=671874 Read the proclamation here. ]]> Tue, 7 May 2024 13:50:00 GMT Governor Murphy Signs A4913 Into Law! https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=661993 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=661993
Under this bill, any network agreement between a carrier, or the carrier’s contracted vendor, and a health care provider for the provision of health or dental care services is prohibited from mandating only one form of payment to the health care provider.  A carrier, or the carrier’s vendor, is also prohibited from restricting the method of payment to an out-of-network health care provider providing out-of-network covered services to only one form of payment.

The bill also requires a carrier, or the carrier’s contracted vendor, to provide certain information to a health care provider, prior to initiating its first payment to the health care provider, where one of the available payment methods includes a fee and before changing the available payment methods.  The bill prohibits a carrier from using a health care provider’s preferred method of payment as a factor when deciding whether to provide credentials to a health care provider.

This law will take effect on July 6th 2024, 180 days following the enactment of this legislation.
 
]]> Tue, 9 Jan 2024 18:26:00 GMT Telehealth Bill Signed Into Law! https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=661506 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=661506
On December 21, 2023, Governor Murphy signed the telehealth payment parity extension into law. A5757/S4127, sponsored by Assemblyman Conaway and Senator Gopal, revises reimbursement payments for providers using telemedicine and telehealth. This law extends the same protections as the current law, with a new expiration date of 12/31/2024. No additional requirements or restrictions have been added to this bill.

There is much to celebrate here! Telehealth has been NJPA's top legislative priority this year, and although most of the reportable progress was within the last few weeks, we have been working consistently throughout the year. Telehealth advocacy was an important agenda item for every meeting of our Committee on Legislative Affairs (COLA), as well as our Executive Board. NJPA spoke with Speaker of the House, Craig Coughlin, about the importance of telehealth, educated bill sponsors on how losing telehealth parity would negatively affect our patients, promoted participation in the Department of Health survey about clinicians' telehealth use, signed on to a letter from the New Jersey Psychiatric Association, and sent our own letter to all state legislators. Our Government Affairs Agent, Jon Bombardieri of CLB Partners, worked closely with the bill sponsors and the Governor's office to get a version of the bill in place that the Governor would support.

There is also much to do in the coming year! This law is not the permanent protection we had hoped for. Governor Murphy is reserving judgement until he sees the results of the Department of Health study, now predicted to be completed in March, and there is talk of a more restricted scope of payment parity. In 2024, NJPA and NJP-PAC will continue to use our staff and financial resources to advocate for the telehealth needs of patients and psychologists in New Jersey. We will also continue to keep you, as members, informed about advocacy efforts and pending changes, so you can be prepared for what is put in place after the new deadline of 12/31/2024. If you have not already done so, now is the perfect opportunity to renew your membership for 2024, (or join if you are not currently a member!) so that you can stay informed of this and other important issues affecting our field.  

For now, let us celebrate this legislative win, even as we prepare for another year of telehealth advocacy.

Warmly,

Briana Cox, PsyD
President

Sara Tedrick Parikh, PhD
Executive Director

Susan McGroarty, PhD
Director of Professional Affairs

Jon Bombardieri
Government Affairs Agent]]> Wed, 3 Jan 2024 15:43:00 GMT Legislation on the Move https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=660378 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=660378 Telehealth Legislation

A5757 sponsored by Assemblyman Conaway, revises reimbursement payments for providers using telemedicine and telehealth, was amended and approved by Assembly Health Committee on Monday, December 11th, by a vote of 12-0. The Senate version, S4127, sponsored by Senator Gopal, was amended and approved by the Senate Health Committee on December 15th by a vote of 5-0. 

The amended legislation extend the end date from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, during which time a health benefits plan in this State is to provide coverage and payment for health care services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth at a provider reimbursement rate that equals the provider reimbursement rate that is applicable, when the services are delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey, provided the services are otherwise covered by the health benefits plan when delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey.

Virtual Credit Card Legislation

A4913/S3133 (Conaway/Johnson), which requires health insurance carriers to reimburse health care providers using check or electronic funds transfer, passed the Senate Commerce Committee on Monday, December 4, by a vote of 4-0, now goes to the Senate floor for a full vote.  The legislation passed the General Assembly in June by a vote of 76-0.
 
Under the legislation, any network agreement between a carrier, or the carrier’s contracted vendor, and a health care provider for the provision of health or dental care services is prohibited from mandating only one form of payment to the health care provider.  A carrier, or the carrier’s vendor, is also prohibited from restricting the method of payment to an out-of-network health care provider providing out-of-network covered services to only one form of payment.
 
The bill also requires a carrier, or the carrier’s contracted vendor, to provide certain information to a health care provider, prior to initiating its first payment to the health care provider, where one of the available payment methods includes a fee and before changing the available payment methods.  The bill prohibits a carrier from using a health care provider’s preferred method of payment as a factor when deciding whether to provide credentials to a health care provider.
 
A virtual credit card works the same way as a physical credit card. Rather than presenting a physical card, the insurance company issues a single-use series of numbers associated with the payment of health care services performed by a healthcare provider and chargeable to a predetermined dollar amount. Like any other credit card transaction, there is typically a processing fee associated with virtual credit card payments, which can be up to 5% on the underlying charge. This means that whenever an insurance company reimburses a provider, up to 5% is automatically subtracted from that reimbursement payment.
]]> Wed, 13 Dec 2023 13:51:00 GMT A1992/S715: Commission to Study Effects of Social Media on Adolescence https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=647059 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=647059 A1992/S715 to establish a commission to study the effects of social media usage on adolescents. These efforts will allow New Jersey to better address the mental and emotional needs of students, to help improve their academic performance, and determine how social media usage among various age groups is impacting students emotional, physical, and mental development as well as academic performance.

The commission will examine how exposure to social media impacts students' emotional health by examining incidents of depression, anxiety, harassment, body dysmorphia, bullying and other various forms of disruptive or violent behaviors. Additionally, the commission will determine how social media usage impacts their physical health by studying incidents of sleep deprivation, weight fluctuations, and high blood pressure.

Under the bill, the commission is tasked with establishing social media usage standards and effective strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of social media to help improve students' academic performance. The legislation directs the commission to issue a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than one year after its organizational meeting.  

https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562023/approved/20230724d.shtml
 
]]> Fri, 28 Jul 2023 17:25:00 GMT Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Protecting Gender-Affirming Health Care in New Jersey https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=637121 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=637121 Executive Order No. 326 establishing New Jersey as a safe haven for gender-affirming health care by directing all state departments and agencies to protect all persons, including health care professionals and patients, against potential repercussions resulting from providing, receiving, assisting in providing or receiving, seeking, or traveling to New Jersey to obtain gender-affirming health care services. As access to gender-affirming health care is threatened across the country, today’s executive order reflects the Murphy Administration’s commitment to fostering a safe and affirming health care environment in New Jersey.

Executive Order No. 326 aims to ensure that members of the LGBTQIA+ community present in New Jersey, including transgender and non-binary youth, enjoy equal access to quality health care services, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and regardless of whether they are a resident of New Jersey or any other state. The Order bars the extradition of an individual within New Jersey to another state for providing, receiving, or otherwise facilitating gender-affirming health care services that are legal in New Jersey, and prohibits Executive Branch departments and agencies from cooperating with interstate investigations aiming to hold someone liable for civil or criminal penalties associated with such care. Under the Order, all Executive Branch departments and agencies will be required to, within the fullest extent of their authority, pursue opportunities and coordinate to protect people or entities in New Jersey providing, receiving, assisting in providing or receiving, seeking, or traveling to obtain gender-affirming health care services. 

For purposes of this Order, “gender-affirming health care” includes care that addresses a transgender or non-binary person’s physical, mental, and/or social health needs and that is designed to support and affirm a transgender or non-binary person’s gender identity, including but not limited to, mental health or psychiatric care; surgery, hormone replacement therapy, and other nonsurgical treatments intended to align aspects of a person’s life with their gender identity; and other behavioral or medical interventions, treatments, and therapies designed to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity.

For a copy of Executive Order No. 326, click here.
]]> Tue, 11 Apr 2023 17:54:00 GMT Gov Murphy Proposes $10M Investment to Expand ARRIVE Together Law Enforcement-Mental Health https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=632652 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=632652 Also Announces Upcoming Expansion of Initiative to Over Two Dozen Additional Municipalities in 10 Counties

PERTH AMBOY – Governor Phil Murphy announced that his upcoming budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024 will include $10 million in funding to expand the ARRIVE Together program to the entire state, creating the first statewide law enforcement and mental health co-responder collaboration in the country.

Governor Murphy, joined by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, also announced the upcoming expansion of the program, which connects mental health professionals with law enforcement officers to more effectively respond to mental-health-crisis calls, set to take place this year. Utilizing $2 million in funds set aside by the Governor and state lawmakers in the current FY2023 state budget, over two dozen municipalities in 10 different counties will be joining ARRIVE Together starting in May 2023.

“The ARRIVE Together program is a game changer, and I am incredibly pleased by the success the program has had during its pilot stages in connecting those experiencing behavioral health crises with a certified mental health professional,” said Governor Murphy. “This proposed investment and the expansion of the program will help our efforts to enhance law enforcement’s servicing of neighborhoods and will strengthen the bonds between our officers and the communities they serve. Attorney General Platkin, Colonel Callahan, and I will continue to work with our state’s law enforcement and mental health professionals to ensure these crises are de-escalated safely, fairly, and efficiently to protect individuals in mental distress.”

“ARRIVE Together began as a State Police pilot program, and through partnerships forged between law enforcement and mental health providers we are building it into a statewide program,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “It has been a transformative and powerful model, consistently de-escalating situations that could have had far worse outcomes for everyone involved.  With the support and vision of Governor Murphy, I am committed to continuing to grow this program and improve services for our most vulnerable residents.”

That imminent expansion will bring the total number of law enforcement agencies involved in the initiative to over thirty. In most jurisdictions, mental health professionals will accompany plainclothes officers in unmarked police vehicles to respond to 9-1-1 calls for service relating to mental or behavioral health crises, although each county may employ a slightly different framework of interaction between the mental health and law enforcement responders. Nine different health care providers around the state have signed on to dedicate their resources to work with police on this effort, which is designed to form relationships between individuals needing help and law enforcement and mental health professionals, in order to de-escalate situations and transition away from law enforcement relying on emergency rooms or use of force.

In addition, in 2022, the New Jersey State Police won a federal “Connect and Protect” grant for approximately $550,000 to expand the ARRIVE Together program. Today, Attorney General Platkin announced the agencies being awarded sub-grants from that money to bring the initiative to their jurisdictions. 

“The deployment of mental health professionals, in concert with New Jersey State Troopers, has provided vital services to those in mental distress at the time where it is needed the most,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.  “We have taken the program to the forefront as an investment into the well-being of the citizens we are sworn to serve. Just as emergency medical services are summoned to a scene to serve as a higher level of patient care, the State Police recognizes that the trusted partners of the ARRIVE Together Program have the ability to mitigate crisis, reduce the risk of physical harm, and potentially bridge the gap into continued compassionate care for citizens struggling with mental health issues. We celebrate the expansion of this indispensable plan of action and look forward to joining new law enforcement partners as they join in this altruistic project.”  

“A law enforcement response is rarely the most effective or appropriate way to help someone experiencing mental health crisis,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “New Jersey’s ARRIVE Together program – which puts mental health professionals at the center of the intervention – is an evidence-based solution to address this national and systemic challenge. This expansion of ARRIVE Together will continue to improve public safety, prevent tragedies and serve NJ residents more effectively.”

With today’s expansion, police officers from the following municipalities and agencies will be participating in the program:   

Atlantic County 
Atlantic City 

Camden County 
Clementon 
Gibbsboro 
Lindenwold 
Pine Hill 
Voorhees 

Cape May County 
Lower Township 
Middle Township 

Cumberland County 
Bridgeton 
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office 
Millville 
Vineland 

Essex County 
Bloomfield 
East Orange 
Orange 

Hudson County 
Bayonne 
Hudson County Sheriff’s Office 

Mercer County 
Ewing 
Hamilton 

Middlesex County 
Edison 
Highland Park 
Woodbridge 

Ocean County 
Beachwood 
Berkeley 
Ocean Gate 
Pine Beach 

Union County 
Clark 
Cranford 
Elizabeth 
Linden 
Plainfield 
Roselle Park 
Scotch Plains 
Union County Commissioners 
Union County Police 
Union County Sheriff’s Office 
Westfield 

View full list of participating law enforcement leaders and partners, here.

ARRIVE Together first launched as a pilot program in December 2021 by the State Police in Cumberland County, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Human Services, the Cumberland County Guidance Center, and the Cumberland County Prosecutor. In June 2022, the program expanded to a pilot in Union County run by the Elizabeth and Linden Police Departments and Trinitas Medical Center.   

In both counties, ARRIVE Teams have been responding two days per week to calls and following up with residents they have previously assisted. Both programs expanded to three days this year, plus additional jurisdictions joined ARRIVE in 2023: the Bridgeton and Roselle Park Police Departments.

The program also spread to Atlantic County, with the Atlantic City Police trying out an innovative new version of ARRIVE in which telehealth tools aid law enforcement officers in better responding to mental health-related calls. Officers are equipped with tablets that can be used by individuals in distress to obtain real-time telehealth services from mental health professionals at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

The teams of law enforcement officers paired with mental health screeners have made over 300 contacts with residents suffering from mental health disorders or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. During those interactions, there have been no injuries, and no response by an ARRIVE Together team has escalated into an arrest.  Responding officers have only used force for involuntary transports of individuals ordered by the mental health professionals who co-responded.

The Attorney General has formed a Statewide Steering Committee to advise on the ARRIVE Together initiative as it continues to grow. The Steering Committee is comprised of law enforcement executives, mental health professionals, prosecutors, and community leaders.  The group will provide insight and feedback from their various perspectives on the future direction of the program in order to best serve the residents of the State. 

“ARRIVE Together is proving to be an effective collaboration between law enforcement and mental health professionals," said Senate President Nick Scutari. "It allows them to respond to crisis situations by de-escalating conflicts, protecting the safety of everyone involved, and providing behavioral health assistance for those in need. This is a smart and resourceful program that will now be utilized in more communities in New Jersey.”  

“There is a clear and growing need for accessible and responsive behavioral health care in New Jersey, I applaud Governor Murphy and General Platkin for recognizing that and making it a priority,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “By continuing to expand ARRIVE Together with enhanced partnerships between law enforcement and mental health professionals, we reach the goal of keeping individuals in their communities, out of hospitals and the criminal justice system, and connected to the behavioral health services they critically need.”

“I welcome the Governor’s announcement to expand the ARRIVE Together program to more NJ towns. Individuals with mental health issues, particularly in a crisis moment, should be met with trained professionals who understand and can respond to these complex personal struggles. Embedding mental health professionals with law enforcement is critical to that end. Moreover, this program coupled with the recent roll out of 988 – the national suicide and crisis hotline – and mobile crisis response teams will help ensure people are connected to the services they need,” said Senator Joseph Vitale.

“I am extremely grateful to be a part of this Pilot Program which will change how the public views and interacts with law enforcement.   The “ARRIVE Together Initiative” has the potential to save lives of those who are suffering with a mental health, emotional, suicidal ideation, and those who are in a non-threatening crisis; also, reduce the tension which currently exists between Law Enforcement within the minority community,” said Rev. Dr. Michael K. Keene., Sr Pastor of Trinity A.M.E Church in Fairfield Township, Cumberland County. “In addition to having a mental health screener ride with the State Trooper to assess in real time, the mental health screener can assist the officer in processing his or her feelings at the end of their shift or in between calls.  This additional benefit will assist the trooper in learning self-care and how to live with the trauma of the job at the job and not to take it home to his or her family, resulting in an improved home life and become more proactive on the job.”

“We wholeheartedly support the ARRIVE together initiative. Pairing people experiencing a mental health crisis with professionals in real-time is critical for first responders and the communities we serve. This endeavor will reduce the risk of injury to police and the people they are called upon to serve,” said Richard Rivera, Co-founder of the National Coalition of Latino Officers. “The program also underscores the necessity for reviewing and analyzing force encounters with police to improve training and better community relations.”

“We are pleased to see the steady growth of the ARRIVE Together program in New Jersey, as an increasing number of municipal police departments are collaborating with mental health providers,” said Thomas Dellane, president of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police.  “While this program is only in its infancy, it has enormous potential. ARRIVE Together has already demonstrated itself as a vital tool for law enforcement, as we respond to incidents involving individuals suffering from mental or behavioral struggles.  We salute Attorney General Matthew Platkin's commitment to this initiative, as well as the State Police and local police departments that are already involved. We look forward to its steady expansion across New Jersey.”

View the full ARRIVE Together Expansion Map, here.

View the ARRIVE Together video, here.
]]> Wed, 22 Feb 2023 17:36:00 GMT Murphy Administration Announces $16 Million in Grants to Support Mental Health Needs of Higher Educa https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=624085 https://psychologynj.org/news/news.asp?id=624085 Murphy Administration Announces $16 Million in Grants to Support Mental Health Needs of Higher Education Students

11/22/2022

TRENTON– The Murphy Administration today announced the availability of $16 million in grants to address the mental health needs of New Jersey students in higher education settings, since many of the mental health challenges facing young people today have been exacerbated by the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) will administer these grants to fund mental health initiatives at New Jersey public and public-mission independent institutions of higher education that receive State operating aid.

Today’s announcement is part of Governor Phil Murphy’s $55 million multiagency ARP investment in the FY23 budget, including additional programs from the Departments of Education, Children and Families, and Human Services. Programs will launch throughout the fiscal year. This investment complements Governor Murphy’s national commitment to Strengthening Youth Mental Health through his work as the 2022-2023 Chair of the National Governors Association.

Of the $16 million available for these grants, $15 million will be distributed to eligible institutions of higher education for the creation of community partnerships that will allow the institutions to increase capacity to meet the mental health needs of students. Institutions are encouraged to partner with local, state, or national organizations to deliver services tailored to the unique needs of their student populations. To ensure a fair and equitable distribution, this funding will be allocated to eligible institutions based on a formula composed of two parts: 1) a flat dollar amount awarded to all institutions in the sector based on the sector’s percentage share of the state’s overall student enrollment; and 2) the institution’s total student enrollment.

The remaining $1 million will be directed towards professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to build multicultural competencies and increase engagement with their diverse student bodies. Each eligible institution can apply for up to a maximum of $21,739 for this purpose.

“With sharp increases in the rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among youth in New Jersey and around the nation, it is clear many young people are struggling right now,”said Governor Murphy. “We must do everything in our power to support youth mental health as we emerge from the pandemic and look towards the future. These grants will fund critical initiatives at our institutions of higher education to help address the mental health needs of New Jersey students – which is essential to both their success and the success of our State as a whole.”

“Addressing mental health is critical to our students’ overall health, wellness, and success,”said Dr. Brian K. Bridges, Secretary of Higher Education. “Students’ mental health may impact their academic progress, including retention and on-time graduation, particularly for those from historically underserved backgrounds. These grants will help our institutions deliver high-quality mental health services to all students and ensure that no student is turned away in their time of need.”

In a fall 2021 OSHE questionnaire focused on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey students’ mental and physical health, over 70 percent of surveyed students rated their level of stress and anxiety as higher than in 2020, when the pandemic first hit.

"We made this funding available through the state budget because we recognize the importance of providing mental health services to students on our college campuses,”said Senate President Nick Scutari. “There is a critical need for this help to address a mental health crisis that extends to our colleges and universities. The collaboration among mental health organizations that possess expertise and our institutions of higher education will help provide valuable services to those in need so they can to succeed in their college work and beyond.” 

“Mental health matters. With leadership that understands that, our investments into mental health care and services this year far outpaced any other year in our state’s recent history,”said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “Prioritizing strategic community partnerships that enhance access to support and resources for students, these grants not only address the existing mental health need on campuses but will go great lengths in fostering a broader culture and environment that is supportive of mental wellness. Young people deserve to have the tools they need for success and to be positive about their futures. I am thankful for the shared commitment of the Governor, OSHE, and legislative partners to help ensure they can be.”

OSHE will also use an additional $10 million in ARP funds to establish a statewide telehealth program. This program, which is estimated to launch early next year, will increase the accessibility of mental health services for all New Jersey higher education students through virtual services available on and off campus. Applications will be due by 5:00 pm on January 31, 2023, with an anticipated release of grant dollars early next year. Questions regarding the mental health grants can be directed to OSHE@OSHE.nj.gov.  

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