Commissioner Appoints Inaugural Members to Guide Statewide Assessment

August 4, 2026

(TRENTON) – Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha today announced the formation of the Inclusive Mental Health Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Committee and the appointment of its inaugural members. Established by P.L.2025, c.177, the Advisory Committee will help strengthen access to culturally affirmative and linguistically appropriate mental health services for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals throughout New Jersey.

The Advisory Committee will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the availability of mental health services for Deaf and hard of hearing New Jerseyans, identify workforce and service gaps, evaluate barriers to care, and develop recommendations to improve access to high-quality, culturally responsive behavioral health services across the state.

"Every New Jerseyan deserves equitable access to quality mental health care,” Commissioner Cha said. "The formation of this Advisory Committee represents an important step toward ensuring that Deaf and hard of hearing residents can access services that recognize and respect their communication needs, language preferences, and lived experiences. The expertise and perspectives of these members will help guide meaningful improvements to our behavioral health system."

"Our behavioral health system is strongest when it is accessible to everyone," said Deputy Commissioner for Health Services Valerie Mielke. "This Advisory Committee brings together professionals, advocates, educators, interpreters, and individuals with lived experience to help us better understand where gaps exist and how we can build a more responsive mental health system for Deaf and hard of hearing New Jerseyans."

"This Advisory Committee is an important step toward addressing the significant health disparities this community faces," said Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Aging Services Kaylee McGuire. "By listening to individuals with lived experience, we can create a mental health system that recognizes these unique needs and responds with the specialized services that people deserve."

"Communication access is fundamental to effective mental health care," said Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Executive Director Elizabeth Hill. "When people can communicate directly with providers who understand their language and culture, they are better able to build trust, participate in treatment, and achieve positive outcomes. This Advisory Committee will play an important role in identifying opportunities to strengthen services and ensure that Deaf and hard of hearing New Jerseyans have equitable access to the behavioral health care they deserve."

"On behalf of the New Jersey Association of the Deaf (NJAD), I am honored to serve on the Inclusive Mental Health Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Committee. I am grateful to the New Jersey Department of Human Services for this opportunity to work alongside fellow committee members to strengthen equitable, accessible, and culturally responsive mental health services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals across New Jersey. I look forward to helping shape recommendations that reflect the needs and experiences of our community," said Octavio Cuenca Maldonado, President, NJAD.

Established under State law that was sponsored by Senators Linda Greenstein and Teresa Ruiz and Assembly members Pamela Lampitt, Carol Murphy and Heather Simmons, the Advisory Committee will assess the current and future needs of mental health professionals and support staff, including American Sign Language interpreters and other professionals with expertise in culturally and linguistically appropriate care. It will also identify barriers to accessing services, review best practices, and evaluate education and training opportunities that can help strengthen New Jersey's behavioral health workforce and ensure they are prepared to provide responsive mental health services for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

The 11-member Advisory Committee reflects a broad range of expertise and lived experience, as required by law. Membership includes individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, a parent of an individual who is Deaf or hard of hearing, a mental health professional, a certified interpreter, a representative from higher education, and a licensed educator of Deaf and hard of hearing students.

Commissioner Cha appointed the following members to the Advisory Committee:

·       Jamie Becker, parent of an individual who is Deaf or hard of hearing;

·       Sari Breuer, ACCESS Deaf Services at St. Joseph's Health;

·       Niamh Donovan, New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence;

·       Alice Glock, New Jersey Hearing Loss Association of America;

·       Roni LePore, Certified Deaf Interpreter;

·       Krystyna Makowski, SHIP Midland Park Teacher of the Deaf and Statewide Parent Action Network;

·       Octavio Maldonado, New Jersey Association of the Deaf;

·       Katrina Parker, Deaf Advocacy Group – Newark;

·       Hillary Porteous-Nye, ACCESS Deaf Services at St. Joseph's Health;

·       Stuart Roe, The College of New Jersey; and

·       Arlene Romoff, New Jersey Hearing Loss Association of America.