?         Free and low-cost statewide conferences aimed at improving mental health service delivery through cultural competence to diverse racial and ethnic minority groups and to individuals from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities (LGBTQ.

?         Policy recommendations that led to:

o   The initial establishment of three state-funded cultural competence training centers, two of which remain and are operated by NJAMHAA members.

o   State funding for bilingual/bicultural clinicians at community-based mental health agencies.

o   Diversity on State licensing boards.

o   Mandatory training in social and cultural diversity for a large segment of New Jersey’s certified and licensed mental health professionals.

?         Hispanic Higher Education Scholarship Fund to support individuals of Hispanic background, who are bilingual, and are pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work. Since its establishment in 2002, scholarships have been awarded to 29 individuals, many who have either completed field placements and/or have been or continued to be employed at NJAMHAA member agencies.

?         Brochures, newsletters, videos and public service announcements to educate the Hispanic population about mental illnesses, available treatments and bilingual/bicultural providers, build their acceptance of mental illnesses and strengthen their likelihood of seeking treatment from community providers when needed.

?         Launched the National Resource Center for Hispanic Mental Health (NRCHMH) in 2006 to address the nationwide lack of availability, access to, and provision of quality mental health services for Hispanics, and to heighten awareness, acceptance and understanding of mental illness throughout the Hispanic population. Through fostering partnerships with educational institutions, private industry, government agencies, advocacy organizations and family support groups, the National Resource Center’s influence extended its reach to providers across the nation and even occasionally, the globe with presentations at international venues in Argentina, Egypt and Greece. Training sessions focused on sharing best practices in attracting, engaging, retaining and serving Hispanics in a culturally and linguistically appropriate and competent manner. The National Resource Center was dedicated to:

o   Promoting quality mental health services through policy development initiatives, training, technical assistance, research, data collection, best practice development and anti-stigma and anti-discrimination campaigns.

o   Developing an online repository of resources for providers, including research, guidelines and other materials was developed focusing on effectively serving Hispanics.