Valerie L. Mielke, MSW
Assistant Commissioner
Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
NJ Department of Human Services |
Valerie Mielke is the Assistant Commissioner for the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) in the Department of Human Services and serves as the Single State Agency (SSA) for substance use and the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) as designated by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The DMHAS is responsible for the coordination, administration, management and supervision of the community public mental health system, and is also responsible for regulating, monitoring, planning and funding substance use prevention, treatment and recovery support services. Ms. Mielke holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairfield University and a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University.
Ms. Mielke serves on the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) Board of Directors and served as President from 2019-2021. NASMHPD’s goal is to advance national, state and local mental health policy. Additionally, Ms. Mielke serves on the Board of Directors for the NASMHPD’s Research Institute (NRI). NRI provides invaluable data and information to the state behavioral health agency commissioners and the public on various aspects of the public behavioral health system. Ms. Mielke also serves as a board member of the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) Public Policy Committee. NASADAD’s goal is to advance national, state and local addiction policy.
Ms. Mielke serves on the Advisory Board of The Council of State Governments Justice Center (CSGJC) which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that combines membership association representing state officials in all three branches of state government, with policy and research expertise to develop strategies that increase public safety and strengthen communities. In addition, and led by CSGJC, Ms. Mielke serves on the National Justice Counts Steering Committee. This is a national consensus-building initiative designed to improve the availability and utility of criminal justice metrics/ data that can drive budget and policy decisions.
