State services merger forum

NEWTON — The State of New Jersey has merged the Division of Addiction Services (DAS) and Division of Mental Health Services (DMHS). The new division is called the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Instead of having a fragmented approach to care, the merger brings advantages to the state such as having a combined system maximizing resources, working on an interactive, inter-related system of care for substance abuse and mental health and opportunities for expanded programs and treatment, said the Sussex County Department of Human Services in a press release. A forum on this merger will be held on Monday, June 6, at Project Self-Sufficiency, 127 Mill Street, Building 3, Newton, from 2 to 4 p.m. The forum will be facilitated by Vicki Fresolone, assistant to Kevin Martone, deputy commissioner of the NJ Department of Human Services. If you are interested in attending the forum, contact Christine Florio, Sussex County Department of Human Services, Division of Community and Youth Services at 973-948-6000 ext. 226 or cflorio@sussex.nj.us.