New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 10 - HUMAN SERVICES
Chapter 37 - COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT
Subchapter 1 - INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE
Section 10:37-1.1 - Introduction and purpose

(a) Since the enactment of the Community Mental Health Services Act in 1957, there has been a broad expansion of public funding sources administered by the State and utilized to support community mental health services. In addition to grant-in-aid, there are funds from Title XX of the Federal Social Security Act, State Community Care and Screening purchase of service contracts, the State Capital Improvement Program and two State-funded demonstration community mental health centers. This amended chapter represents an integration of these multiple funding sources and the minimal requirements that are applicable to all of them. These requirements are conceptually based upon the Division's four operating principles: Normalization, Level of Functioning, Advocacy and Unified Services, which are described in a companion document titled "Principal Statement." Within the context of these principles, however, the Division encourages innovative implementation and a variety of comprehensive service models, developed in response to local needs and talents.

(b) Wherever the "Department" is cited, the term shall refer to the New Jersey Department of Human Services; wherever the "Division" is cited, it shall refer to the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Subsequent to a period of public review and comment, this chapter shall become effective on November 3, 1980; it will be incorporated into guidelines for the Division's ongoing site visit, monitoring, program development, and evaluation activities for community mental health grants and contracts. Compliance with this chapter shall be required one year from its effective date, as of July 1, 1981. It is anticipated that total compliance will necessitate, in some instances, a reorganization of service components and priorities by participating agencies. It is for that reason that the Department is extending the implementation and compliance deadline for one year, in order to allow for local phase-ins and for technical assistance to be provided by the county mental health boards and the Division.

(c) Implementation of this chapter should serve to unify the community mental health system and to establish formal relationships between the community and the institutional mental health sectors. This chapter shall also become incorporated into the Division's inspection program for State and County psychiatric hospitals.

(d) Any questions concerning these requirements should be sent to the Division Assistant Commissioner, New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, 5 Commerce Way, Suite 100, PO Box 362, Trenton, NJ 08625.