Advocacy E-News October 7, 2014

October 7, 2014

 

Study Commission on Violence Convenes Seeks Public’s Input on Violence in NJ


The Study Commission on Violence, a panel created through a bill passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Chris Christie, has begun its examination of violence as a public health issue and will be holding hearings through the fall seeking input from the general public on how to address violence in New Jersey.

The panel is comprised of representatives from the Attorney General’s Office, the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey, the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and four appointees of the Legislature and the Governor, and is charged with:

  • Studying trends and sources or violence and provide recommendations to address violence in our communities;
  • Identifying and seeking out grant funding opportunities to implement violence reduction and prevention initiatives;
  • Examining the sufficiency of access to mental health treatment in New Jersey and its possible impact on violence;
  • Reviewing existing mental health diversion programs that permit defendants to receive community-based treatment in lieu of incarceration; and
  • Studying and providing recommendations as to whether or not the community-based mental health treatment system should be expanded statewide.


In order to meet its mandate, the Commission will hold a total of six hearings throughout the state to solicit the testimony and input of members of the public. The first public hearing will be held at:

Shiloh Baptist Church
340 Reverend S. Howard Woodson Jr. Way
Trenton, N.J. 08618
(609) 695-2448

Thursday, October 9, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

All members of the public are welcomed to provide input to the Commission.

Members of the public may also submit ideas or comments via email at: [email protected]. The Commission will issue a report early next year.

Members of the Commission

Camelia M. Valdes, Passaic County Prosecutor (Chairwoman)

Salaam Ismial, Director, National United Youth Council (Co-Chair)
Dr. Sheetal Ranjan, Professor, William Paterson University (Secretary)
Mary Jo Buchanan, CEO, Ocean Partnership for Children (Member)
Joseph C. Fanaroff, Deputy Attorney General & Special Assistant to the Attorney General (Member)
Steve Fishbein, Manager, Justice Involved Services, Department of Human Services (Member)
JuliHarpell-Elam, JBWS (Member)
BrettaJacquemin, Department of Health (Member)
Debra Jenkins, Assistant Director, Municipal Court Services, Administrative Office of the Courts (Member)

Staff to the Study Commission on Violence

Alyson Gush, Chief, Program Development & Victim Witness Advocacy, Division of Criminal Justice
Gerard Hughes, Deputy Attorney General
Jennifer Lochel, Deputy Attorney General
Michelle Perry-Thompson, Deputy Attorney General
Jane Schuster, Deputy Attorney General