On July 10,
2025, substance use treatment providers learned that effective July 1, 2025,
the New Jersey Statewide Initiative (NJSI) Program and Substance Abuse
Prevention and Treatment Initiative (SAPTI) could no longer enroll new members;
the funding was restricted to continuing services for previously enrolled
clients. NJAMHAA immediately requested an emergency meeting with leaders in the
Department of Human Services and its Division of Mental Health and Addiction
Services. This advocacy was successful, as Governor Phil Murphy announced today
that an additional $10.85 million in opioid settlement funding is being
invested to extend recovery and prevention services. Of this amount, $4.3
million is designated for serving eligible uninsured residents through the NJSI
Program and SAPTI.
Until this
fiscal year, the NJSI Program and SAPTI have been paid for with braided state
and federal funds. The state is not able to release the funding until it can
confirm the amount of federal funding, and that amount is still not available.
Since providers
were not informed of this funding restriction in advance, some had enrolled new
clients on July 1st or later and then learned they would not receive
reimbursement for those services to provide access to community-based substance
use treatment for approximately 1,000 individuals. The $4.3 million fills the
gap until the new fiscal year begins.
In addition,
these programs account for the majority of revenue for most halfway houses. If
the issue is not resolved longer term starting October 1, 2025, some of these
facilities will be at risk of closing, with many individuals not receiving the
substance use treatment they need and, as a result, being at higher risk of exacerbated
symptoms of substance use disorder, relapse and suicide.
“NJAMHAA is
pleased and proud to represent our members and the individuals they serve
through all of our advocacy efforts, and I am grateful for the partnerships we
have with members and the state that enable us to take the immediate steps
needed to ensure ongoing access to these vital, life-saving services in the
immediate,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA.
According to a
press release issued by the Governor’s Office, the remainder of this investment
is being allocated as follows:
•
$3.5 million over 2.5 years to continue the
Recovery Management Checkup program, through which Peer Recovery
Specialists support individuals who have completed treatment to maintain independent
living and progress toward recovery.
•
$2 million to continue deploying Peer
Recovery Specialists in residential treatment agencies. In addition to short-
and long-term residential programs, these treatment settings include inpatient
withdrawal management programs and halfway houses.
•
$1.05 million to extend the Maternal
Wraparound Program, which provides intensive case management and recovery
support services during women’s pregnancies and for up to one year postpartum.
Also as stated
in this press release, “Requests for proposals and grant availabilities
relating to the State’s portion of opioid settlement funds are available here
on a rolling basis.”
