Mental Health BOARD

About the Board

The Mental Health Board was established with N.J.S.A. 30:4-27.1.

The Burlington County Mental Health Board is made up of seven to twelve county residents and provides public leadership to the county in the development of mental health services. Membership is reflective of the county’s population including consumers of mental health services and family members of those with mental illness.
 

County Mental Health Boards were mandated through legislation in 1957 through the New Jersey Community Mental Health Services Act. The Act establishes the design and functions of the Board and it's subcommittees.
 
 The Board makes recommendations, consistent with the County Mental Health Plan, regarding mental health funding and program development in Burlington County to the Board of County Commissioners and the State Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
 
 The Board monitors the service delivery and administration of all programs under the Board's jurisdiction and makes recommendations to the State and local government.
 
 The Burlington County Mental Health Board's mission is to protect, assist, and empower people with mental illness. Goals include, but are not limited to:

  •         Enhance mental health services in the County and ensure consumers access to services in a timely manner
  •         Develop a more responsive service delivery system based on consumer concerns and service needs
  •      Meet legislative statutes governing the role of the Board and its subcommittees
  •      Provide information to the Board of County Commissioners regarding regulations, initiatives, planning, etc., that impacts County residents
  •      Continue to plan for mental health needs of the County
  •          Improve utilization of limited resources
  •         Continue to work with NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services regarding changes to the mental health system of care

Subcommittees

  • (Adult) Systems Review Committee:
    • Monitors the provision of the acute care system
    • Identifies gaps and insures services are fairly and appropriately delivered
    • Reviews cases of possible service gaps in need of systems change and makes recommendation to DMHS
  • Jail Diversion Task Force: Newly formed committee to bridge the communication gap between the mental health system and the justice system to ensure those who are mentally ill are not wrongfully sent to jail.
  • Aging Out / Aging In Committee: This committee has been temporarily put “on hold” due to the rollout of the Pilot project awarded to Burlington County. The mission of the committee is to ensure a smooth transition from children’s services into adulthood for those who have Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI).
  • Children's Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee (CIACC), in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), strives to ensure a seamless array of services.