Chapter 147, Laws of 1918 stated that the State Board was established as part of the newly created Department of Institutions and Agencies. From 1918 to 1976 the State Board had jurisdiction over State correctional and training institutions. In 1976 the Department of Human Services was created from the Department of Institutions and Agencies. At that time supervision of correctional facilities was transferred to the newly created Department of Corrections.

Prior to 1918, the Department of Charities and Corrections, predecessor to the Department of Institutions and Agencies, had jurisdiction over State institutions. The Department of Charities and Corrections had been established in 1905. Prior to 1918 there was no State Board, but there were boards of managers or boards of trustees for each individual institution.

Terms are four (4) years in length and operate on a July 1 to June 30 cycle. Members serve after the expiration of their terms as holdovers until their respective successors are duly appointed. Vacancies are filled for the unexpired term. Members are subject to removal by the Governor for good and sufficient cause.

Members receive no compensation but are reimbursed for expenses incurred in performing their duties.

1. Advance long-range planning and policy for the system of State institutions and for noninstitutional agencies.
2. Establish general policy for the governance of the separate institutions.
3. Coordinate the activities of the separate institutions.
4. Maintain general oversight over the institutions.
5. Exercise the following additional powers:
   1. Conduct research on institutional needs;
   2. Develop with the Commissioner of Human Services and staff and jointly promulgate and maintain a comprehensive master plan which shall be long range in nature and be regularly revised and updated, including priorities for the construction of new institutions and the development of new programs;
   3. Recommend and advise the Commissioner of Human Services on the establishment of new institutions as required by the master plan;
   4. Review and comment upon budget requests from the institutions;
   5. Encourage harmonious and cooperative relationships between public and private institutions;
   6. Review periodically existing programs of care, training, rehabilitation, research, and public service in the public institutions of this State and other states and as to new developments in the various fields of the Department of Human Services' responsibility and advise the institutions and the Commissioner of Human Services of desirable change;
   7. Consult with and make to the Commissioner of Human Services such recommendations as it deems necessary with regard to services, land, buildings, and equipment to be furnished by the Department of Human Services and its institutions;
   8. Exercise visitorial supervision over institutions under the Department of Human Services' control, more particularly visiting the institutions to examine into their manner of conducting their affairs and to advise the Commissioner of Human Services on the observance and enforcement of New Jersey laws;
   9. Review and make recommendations with respect to budget requests to be submitted to the Commissioner of Human Services;
   10. Authorize such studies and require such reports from the Commissioner of Human Services as it may deem necessary from time to time;
   11. Make an annual report to the Commissioner of Human Services and the Governor and such other reports as it may deem proper from time to time or as may be requested by the Commissioner of Human Services;
   12. Arrange for personal contact with each of the institutions and the work of each of the noninstitutional agencies by visitations and such other means as deemed necessary and proper;
   13. Visit and inspect, along with the Commissioner of Human Services, personally or by designated representative, each institution semiannually at periods without advance notice;
   14. Hold the right of admission to all parts of any county, municipal, public, or private institution or organization building to which payments are made from the State treasury;
   15. Institute a civil action against any institution which receives public State funds to correct violations;
   16. Obtain legal assistance from county prosecutors whenever needed to correct violations in institutions receiving State funds;
   17. Hold authority and direction over, and appoint the members to (with the approval of the Governor) a board of trustees for each institution or agency within the department or for each group or class thereof as it may determine;
   18. Determine the names of the boards of non-institutional agencies, with the approval of the Governor;
   19. Remove members of boards of trustees for institutions and agencies for good and sufficient cause, with the approval of the Governor;
   20. Receive advice from boards of trustees of individual institutions on desirable changes in care, training, rehabilitation, research, and public service; and
   21. Provide general regulation over the use of patient welfare funds.

1. The Commissioner of Human Services will assign an Administrator to the State Board to serve as staff to the State Board.
2. The State Board will meet at least ten (10) times per year.
3. The Chairman may change meeting locations with the prior approval of the State Board.
4. The Chairman will provide ten (10) days written notice to each member of a change in meeting date or location.
5. A majority of the appointed members, five (5) out of nine (9), constitutes a quorum.
6. The State Board may take action without a meeting if members consent in writing to the action.
7. The Chairman is afforded broad powers in appointing committees and members thereto.
8. The State Board will follow the "Appointments Process for Membership to Local Boards of Trustees" approved by the State Board in April 1991 when making appointments to subordinate boards.
9. The State Board will review, approve, and monitor welfare fund accounts according to the regulations of the current Welfare Fund Accounts Manual.
10. Members of the State Board must abide by the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law.

1. Dwight W. Morrow (1918-1920)
2. Ogden H. Hammond (1920-1922)
3. Ellis P. Earle (1922-1942)
4. Reeve Schley (1942-1955)
5. Frank S. Walsh (1955-1956)
6. Lloyd B. Westcott (1956-1972)
7. John J. Magovern, Jr. (1972-1974)
8. James D. Compton (1974-1982)
9. Martin S. Barber (1982-1983)
10. Chester M. Whittaker (1983-1984)
11. Natalie N. Adams (1984-1987)
12. Paulette Coronato (1987-1988)
13. Joan Wright (1988-1991)
14. Paul T. Jordan, M.D. (1991-1996)
15. Richard C. Strobel, Esq. (1996-Present)

• Richard C. Strobel, Esq., Chairman, Cinnaminson
• Salud “Sasa” Montano, Vice Chairman, Trenton
• Paul T. Jordan, M.D., Monmouth Beach
• Rev. Dr. David B. Jost, Lumberton
• Anthony M. Karabas, High Bridge
• Lorraine D'Sylva-Lee, Changewater
• Louis S, Ruvolo, MD., Riverton
• Phoebe J. Slade, Ed.D., Teaneck

The ex officio members are:

• Governor (or designee).
• Commissioner of Human Services (or designee).
• Commissioner of Health & Senior Services (or designee).
• Secretary to the State Board is Lynn Kotch, (609-984-5547)

Liaisons communicate with designated senior level staff persons at the divisions prior to each State Board meeting. Divisions have also been instructed to include their liaisons on mailing lists for newsletters, meeting minutes, and other outreach efforts, and to furnish them with monthly reports, updated guidelines, manuals, and other information.