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System coordination, planning and advocacy comprise the main focus of the Mental Health Division. The division coordinates initiatives of the state Department of Human Services and county government. It works in partnership with community agencies to enhance services and ensure the success of mandated programs.
The State also continued to implement supportive housing initiatives, intended to move clients out of existing group homes into apartments with support services. The group home beds would then be available for clients coming out of Greystone or other state-funded inpatient units. The initiatives provide rental assistance certificates to clients who are ready to move into less restrictive settings. The public service system as a whole has experienced a tremendous influx of rental certificates resulting in various populations (e.g., mentally ill, welfare- to-work, etc.) competing against each other to secure affordable apartments in a dwindling pool of options. In an effort to promote the development of housing for the mentally ill, the Mental Health Board, along with the department, was successful in securing $17,000 from the Bergen County Division of Community Development. The funds will be used to assess the current affordable housing stock and the status of local municipalities’ compliance with Mount Laurel housing guidelines.
Additionally, the monies will help train board members and other speakers, who will make presentations to local planning boards and other organizations to promote acceptance of the mentally ill into their communities. The funds will also enable the board to develop a comprehensive waiting list for county-based residential services. The waiting list will be a valuable tool to use in applying for grants, advocating for system enhancements and documenting need for the legislature.
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