[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF 
                             PASSIAC COUNTY

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2015

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Mental Health Association in Passaic County as they celebrate their 
30th Anniversary.
  The beginnings of the Association go back to 1909, when Clifford 
Beers founded the Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene, which would 
later become the National Mental Health Association.
  In 1976, the Passaic County Community Companion Program was started 
by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. This program was 
dedicated to helping individuals returning to their communities from 
state mental health hospitals. Volunteers were trained to work with 
individuals with mental illness one-on-one to ensure a successful 
return home.
  Three years later, the plans to create a Mental Health Association 
Chapter in Passaic County began. By this time, the Passaic County 
Community Companion Program had helped 75 Passaic County residents.
  At its annual meeting, the Mental Health Association in New Jersey 
voted full chapter status to the Mental Health Association in Passaic 
County. The Association offered the Community Companions and Family 
Companions programs, a self-esteem program for former patients and 
families of those with mental illness; a self-esteem program for grade-
school children; the Mental Health Players; services to the homeless 
with mental illness, and a referral and information service. All of 
these services were and still are free of charge, thanks to over 100 
Passaic County residents who volunteer their time to the MHAPC so they 
can help their neighbors in need.
  As time went on, the Program's services continued to grow. In 1987, 
the Crossover Program began, helping young adults with mental illness. 
In 1997 the Peer Outreach Support Team (POST) was created to help 
consumers with mental illness provide support to those living in 
supportive housing. Most recently, the Arab-American Community Services 
Partnership was created in 2005, with a goal of forging cooperative 
efforts to address mental health services that are needed and to 
increase cultural understanding.
  Through all of the Association's fantastic work, it is no surprise 
that in 2003 the Consumer Parent Support Network program received the 
honor of Best Practice Program for the Prevention of Neglect and Abuse 
for the Northern Region of New Jersey.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and all of my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the Mental Health Association in Passaic County as they 
celebrate their 30th Anniversary.

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