• Warren County abolished its Mental Health Board (MHB) and Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (LACADA), which had been established in 1974 and 1994 respectively.
• A new 16-member advisory committee, the Warren County Mental Health and Substance Use Advisory Committee (MHSUAC), was formed to advise the Commissioners on mental health and substance abuse strategies.
• The consolidation aims to address overlapping mental health and addiction issues, improve efficiency in planning and funding recommendations, and tackle a decline in volunteer membership for the previous boards.

On April 23, Warren County Commissioners abolished the Mental Health Board (MHB) and the Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse (LACADA) to create a more streamlined and efficient advisory process. These original boards were established in 1974 and 1994 and the new Warren County Mental Health and Substance Use Advisory Committee (MHSUAC) was created. The new 16-member MHSUAC will advise the Commissioners on strategies to support treatment and recovery programs related to mental health and substance use, focusing on identifying needs and gaps in Warren County.

• What: Warren County Commissioners abolished two separate mental health advisory boards (MHB and LACADA) and replaced them with a single, consolidated advisory committee (MHSUAC).
• Who: Warren County Commissioners, Laura Richter (associate director of human services for Warren County), Alessandre Singher, Ammunje Nayak, Michael Calderon, Brian Longenhagen, Shelly Whitmore, Pamela L.B. Clark, William Robbins, Charles Raffaele, Loretta Brickman, Randi Hengst, Sheila Theodorou, Nikita Hansford, Sonia Ron, Betty Singh, Thomas Lizzi, Dawn Krause Schafer (members of the new advisory committee).
• When: The decision was made at a regular meeting on April 23. The MHB was established in 1974 and the LACADA in 1994. Terms for the new committee members expire between 06/30/25 and 04/23/27.
• Where: Warren County, New Jersey.

Warren County's decision to consolidate its mental health and substance abuse advisory boards reflects a growing recognition of the interconnectedness of these issues. By creating a single advisory committee, the county aims to improve efficiency in planning, resource allocation, and service delivery. The emphasis on recruiting members with diverse expertise, including lived experience and professional backgrounds, suggests a commitment to a more holistic and responsive approach to addressing the needs of individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. The report also highlighted difficulties in the past decade for a volunteer base to support the committees.

Mental health and addiction issues often overlap, and the NJ Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services that provides funding to many of our local programs cover both mental health and substance use disorder under one umbrella.

Warren County's move to consolidate its mental health and substance abuse advisory boards marks a significant shift towards a more integrated and efficient approach to addressing these complex issues. The newly formed Warren County Mental Health and Substance Use Advisory Committee (MHSUAC) is expected to play a crucial role in advising the Commissioners on strategies to support treatment, recovery, and social services. While the long-term impact of this change remains to be seen, it reflects a proactive effort to adapt to evolving needs and challenges within the community.