Phillip Lubitz receives Ann Klein Advocate Award

NAMI group photo

Ann Burke (Co-Chair, CHLP Board of Trustees) and Lawrence N. Meyerson, Esq. (Chair Board of Trustees) presenting award to Phil

Phil acceptance remarks

H. B. Garwin (CHLP Pres/Exec. Director) Presenting to Phil

 

Phillip Lubitz, MSW, has more than 40 years of experience in the public mental health system as a therapist, administrator and family advocate. As the Associate Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New Jersey where he is responsible for advocacy programs, public policy and governmental affairs, Phil has made tremendous contributions to the communities affected by serious mental illness in New Jersey and beyond.

Phil has served as the New Jersey Family Support Coordinator for 22 years and is responsible for adopting the State Family Support Plan for Persons with a Serious Mental Illness under P.L. 1995, c314, a law he helped write. He served many years as the Chair of the New Jersey Behavioral Health Planning Council and led the Council’s growth to a fully integrated Behavioral Health Planning Council. Phil has also served on the Mental Health Coalition since the 1980s and is currently the Coalition’s Vice Chair.

Most recently, Phil has led advocates in NAMI NJ’s network to support bills that require New Jersey regulated health insurers to provide coverage for behavioral health care services and enhance enforcement and oversight of behavioral health parity laws. As Governor Phil Murphy signed the legislation in April 2019, Phil was among the supporters and the first to report this historic moment to the mental health community.

Phil has provided technical assistance to the mental health planning councils in Louisiana, Maryland, the District of Columbia Iowa, Minnesota, Massachusetts and North Carolina to assist them in integrating their mental health and substance abuse planning and oversight functions.

Phil has initiated a number of services during his career. He was the co-founder of the Tri County (Hunterdon, Somerset, Warren) Care Management Organization and Board President; He was a founding member and President of the Coalition on Residential Providers. Recognizing the need for flexible offsite Mental Health services, he began what was to become Integrated Case Management (ICMS) in Somerset County, prior to the service being funded by the Division of Mental Health. Phil was the Executive Producer of the award-winning Law Enforcement Training Film, The Community I Serve, that is now in use in 35 states to train Law Enforcement personnel. In New Jersey, he has consulted with the Office of the Attorney General and the State Police Training Academy in developing training protocols concerning individuals with a mental illness.

Mr. Lubitz is a four-time Mayor in Kingwood Township, New Jersey, where among other things he has worked on developing affordable housing and designating the municipality as a mental health stigma free zone.

Phil’s long list of achievements and his instrumental role in advancing the quality of lives of individuals with lived experience of mental illness have been truly reflective of the spirit of Ms. Ann Klein who had served as a longtime public servant, legislator and social worker.

Please help us share this good news and join us in congratulating Phil!

Click here for more information on the Award Reception on October 24