Advocacy E-news January 2, 2019
January 2, 2019
ACTING GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH THE NEW JERSEY CAREGIVER TASK FORCE
Acting Governor Sheila Oliver on Friday signed legislation to establish the New Jersey Caregiver Task Force, which will evaluate support services that are available to caregivers. The Task Force will also recommend improvements and expansion of such services and is required to provide an initial report within a year of its organization. The Task Force will consist of 11 members from public and private sectors including one person who is a caregiver for a person with a mental illness.
N.J. AG TO HOST SERIES OF COMMUNITY FORUMS ON POLICE USE OF FORCE
New Jersey’s attorney general will host a series of forums across the state to address the findings of NJ.com’s recent investigation into police use of force, including a review of cultural diversity and “implicit bias” among officers. The Force Report found the state’s system for tracking use of force and stopping dangerous officers was little more than a facade. The report also found inconsistent reporting of officer’s interactions with people with a mental illness.
IN SCREENING FOR SUICIDE RISK, FACEBOOK TAKES ON TRICKY PUBLIC HEALTH ROLE
Facebook’s rise as a global arbiter of mental distress puts the social network in a tricky position at a time when it is under investigation for privacy lapses. Facebook has computer algorithms that scan the posts, comments and videos of users in the United States and other countries for indications of immediate suicide risk. But other mental health experts said it is unclear whether the company’s approach is accurate, effective or safe.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR FEDERALLY FUNDED MENTAL-HEALTH CLINICS
An experimental mental-health and addiction treatment program that has shown early success in combating the opioid crisis is at risk of losing its federal funding. The experimental program was set up after legislation in 2014 established standards for a new clinic designation called Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics and created flexible funding that allowed the clinics to expand patient outreach and services for two years.
CLINIC HELPS VETERANS, FIRST RESPONDERS WITH FREE CARE
Suicide and addiction occur at a staggering rate among first responders and military members, due to post-traumatic stress disorder, coupled with a gaping hole in accessible, appropriate mental health care and a stigma that keeps many of them from seeking help.
Veteran & First Responder (VFR) Healthcare will be offered at the Strive Center and Community Health in Paramus. In partnership with the NJ Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, VFR will offer outpatient, substance-abuse and mental health trauma-informed treatment programs and services designed specifically for Veterans, First Responders, and their families.
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