David Helfand is the Assistant Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and serves as the Single State Agency (SSA) for substance use and the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) as designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  DMHAS is responsible for the coordination, administration, management and supervision of the community public mental health system, and is also responsible for planning and monitoring funding for programs serving adults, and their family members, with substance use disorders, mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.   

David began his career working for community-based non profit agencies and then joined state service in 2000 as a social worker at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital.   In 2007, and over the years, David served as Program Analyst, Regional Coordinator and Assistant Director overseeing the Office of Community Services and the Division’s regional offices statewide.   In July 2024, David had served as the Deputy Assistant Commissioner overseeing the mental health and substance use disorder fee for service units, the Disaster and Terrorism Branch and the Office of Community Services. 

David received his Master’s of Science in Psychiatric Rehabilitation from the Rutgers School of Health Related Professions (formerly UMDNJ).

David Kensler joined the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addictions Services (DMHAS) as the Chief of Staff in September 2023.  David is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and holds a Master of Health Services Administration from Strayer University (2009), a Master of Social Work from Temple University (2002), and a Bachelor of Social Work from Richard Stockton State College (2000).  Prior to joining DMHAS, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Ann Klein Forensic Center, the only state forensic psychiatric hospital in New Jersey.  David began his career as a social worker at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital and took on various hospital management positions.   He later oversaw several community-based mental health and co-occurring disorder treatment programs.

Dr. Robert Eilers has been the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services Medical Director since 1996.   Dr. Eilers is Board-certified in adult psychiatry with subspecialty certification in administrative psychiatry and forensic psychiatry.  Dr. Eilers received his M.D. from Thomas Jefferson College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA in 1976, and his M.P.H. from Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD in 1995.

Gordon V. Horvath, Jr. joined the Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS) as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in May of 2025.  Gordon came to DMHAS with a robust background in financial management and leadership spanning more than twenty years in both public and private industry.  Gordon holds a Master of Accounting degree from Rider University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Kean University.

Prior to joining DMHAS, Gordon served as the Director of Operations Budgets at NJ Transit, where he oversaw a budget group tasked with assisting various complex budgeting processes and strategic planning initiatives.  Prior to his role at NJ Transit, Gordon was the CFO/Assistant Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development.  In this capacity, he managed comprehensive financial operations, including the stewardship of State Trust Funds, Federal Awards, and State Appropriations.

Gordon believes in fostering a collaborative environment where everyone is encouraged to share their insights and ideas.  He is committed to leveraging his experience in the support of DMHAS achieving its goals and objectives.