On January 5, 1996, Public Law 1995, Chapter 318 established the “Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Disabled”.  This Public Law was the first set-aside in the nation to provide funding for substance use disorder services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or persons with disabilities. The Division sets aside a fixed amount of annual funding to provide substance use disorder programs for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a disability.  In March 1997, the Division established an Advisory Committee which assists the Division to guide the alcohol and substance use disorder programs for the deaf, hard of hearing and disabled, assuring they continually meet the needs of the community which they serve and that the funds are utilized in a quality manner, assuring maximum potential for the programs

The committee consists of five members who are either deaf, hard of hearing or disabled, two members of the public with an interest in issues relating to alcohol and substance use disorder and one representative from the following entities:  The Governor’s Council on Substance Use Disorder, Developmental Disabilities Council, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Division of Disability Services.   The Division’s representative is Tevis Thompson Tevis.Thompson@dhs.nj.gov

For more information, please email DMHAS@dhs.nj.gov with “Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Committee” in the Subject line or call (800)382-6717.