January 25, 2025
NJAMHAA Calls for Significantly Increased Funding as a Top Priority in the FY2026 State Budget
New Jersey is expected to have 64,000 job openings in social services-related occupations over the next seven years; however, growth in this sector is expected to be only 10% "after accounting for workforce exits and occupational transfers," according to Lightcast™, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many people are leaving the social service and behavioral healthcare fields because their government-funded employers cannot afford to offer competitive salaries or benefits. Meanwhile, the demand for these services is expected to continue increasing, as it has been since before the pandemic.
"This disparity between the acutely limited accessibility of services and the immense need for them means that many individuals throughout the state who have behavioral health disorders are not receiving the care they need. As a result, many are experiencing or ultimately will experience further declines in their mental health, as well as physical health, and potentially the inability to thrive in school, the workforce, relationships and other critical areas of their lives," said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. (NJAMHAA).
Mount Carmel Guild Behavioral Health, Catholic Charities of Newark shared an example of staff turnover. Since January 2024, at least 20 partial care case managers left their positions. "Numerous employees have accepted this job, but quickly realize that the excessive paperwork and the intensity of dealing with high-risk clients make the job untenable," said Diane Richardson, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, LCSW, LCADC, Director of Outpatient and Partial Care Programs.
Richardson also shared a letter in which a partial care program client wrote, "Mt. Carmel Guild has helped me in the transition from my 32 years in state hospitals to a semi-independent life. I may be graduating from the program soon as I seek full-time work. What I've learned at the Guild will be a foundation for me to build on as I seek to be a productive member of society."
"This success story is one of numerous illustrations of the positive impact that community-based behavioral healthcare services have on individuals' ability to survive and engage in meaningful activities that are necessary to lead fulfilling lives," Dr. Wentz stated. "However, many others are not gaining such opportunities because of insufficient staffing at behavioral healthcare organizations."
Michael's story demonstrates the difficulty of staying in the behavioral healthcare field. Having been a licensed clinical social worker for more than 20 years, he eventually had to get a second full-time job because the cost of living continued to rise and his salary was not increased. Also during this time, Michael's caseload more than doubled because many of his coworkers resigned.
This situation had an adverse effect on Michael's health, and he made the difficult decision to leave the field. The staffing change means his former clients have likely experienced difficulties adjusting to new counselors or had their care disrupted or even terminated.
"Significantly increased funding is needed to serve many more people in need of behavioral health care and give them the opportunities they deserve for healthy and productive lives," Dr. Wentz stressed.
To increase such opportunities, as well as reduce the risks of worsening health conditions that could require much more costly healthcare services, NJAMHAA is advocating for significant increases in Medicaid and fee-for-service rates, as well as contracts, and investment for the behavioral healthcare workforce in the FY2026 State Budget.
This funding is needed to enable providers to attract and retain staff and meet the higher expenses that are inherent in Medicaid managed care.
"It is not feasible to increase access to services, improve the quality of care, achieve better health outcomes and serve the increasing number of individuals in need as costs continue to increase and funding declines. Even level funding equates to decreases because of rising costs," Dr. Wentz stated.
"NJAMHAA urges Governor Phil Murphy and legislators to keep in mind Mount Carmel Guild and Michael's stories and others featured in NJAMHAA's campaign, Untold Stories, as they develop and vote on the FY2026 State Budget and legislation that impacts behavioral healthcare services - and most importantly, the many children, youth and adults who depend on them," Dr. Wentz added.
Please click here to see details and more success stories, as well as the adverse experiences of service recipients and behavioral healthcare staff, in NJAMHAA's Untold Stories campaign.
