Posted by Governor's Office on 16:22:40 01/04/05

NEWS RELEASE
Acting Governor Richard J. Codey

January 4, 2005

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Kelley Heck 609-777-2600

Media Advisory
***Wednesday, January 5***

TASK FORCE ON MENTAL HEALTH TO HOLD FIRST PUBLIC HEARING IN BERGEN COUNTY

(TRENTON) ­ The Task Force on Mental Health will hold its first public hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 5, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Bergen Community College in Paramus.

The hearing gives New Jersey residents an opportunity to provide testimony on how to improve the state s mental health system.

Testimony should focus on how to provide for a comprehensive mental health services system so as to assure the availability of, and access to, treatment, rehabilitation, and supportive services necessary to assist individuals with mental illness in reaching and maintaining their highest level of functioning in the least restrictive setting.
In order to ensure full participation, testimony will be limited to three minutes per person. Individuals providing testimony will be asked to register on-site. Input is also being accepted through the task force s website www.nj/gov/mentalhealth .

Acting Governor Richard J. Codey, on Nov. 16, signed an executive order establishing the 11-member Task Force on Mental Health, which is charged with conducting a comprehensive review of New Jersey s mental health system.

Task Force on Mental Health Public Hearing

Room 128
Technology Education Center
Bergen County College (Through Parking Lot B)
400 Paramus Road
Paramus

1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Directions:

FROM THE NORTH
(Via Garden State Parkway)-Take Exit 165, turn right (west) on Ridgewood Road, then right onto Ridgewood Avenue (crossing over Route 17) and continue to Paramus Road. Turn left onto Paramus Road and continue approximately 2 miles to college, proceed around jug handle to main entrance.

(Via Route 17)-Turn right off Route 17 onto Ridgewood Avenue (west) to Paramus Road. Turn left onto Paramus Road and continue as above.

FROM THE EAST
Take Route 4 (via George Washington Bridge from New York City) to Paramus Road North, Paramus. (From the east, Paramus Road is approximately 3/4 miles past Route 17 intersection). Turn right onto Paramus Road and proceed north for approximately 2 miles to College entrance on right side of Paramus Road.

FROM THE SOUTH
(Via Garden State Parkway)-Take Exit 160 (Passaic Street). Turn left onto Passaic Street. Continue over Route 4 onto Paramus Road (Passaic Street becomes Paramus Road north of Route 4 overpass). Continue north about 2 miles on Paramus Road to college entrance on right.

(Via Route 17)-Take Century Road, second exit to the right, proceed around clover leaf over Route 17 onto Century Road (west). Continue to Paramus Road and turn right onto Paramus Road to college entrance on right.

FROM THE WEST
Take Route 4 to Paramus Road, Paramus (exit under overpass). Turn right onto Paramus Road and proceed north for approximately 2 miles to college entrance on right side of Paramus Road.

The Technology Education Center (TEC) is located directly next to the right of the Main Building. Upon entering the campus, bear right and follow the signs to Parking Lot B. Make a left turn into Parking Lot B. The parking lots are shaped like semi-circles with berms separating them. Upon coming half way around Parking Lot B the new building is clearly visible on the left; it has a two-story glass front and two observatories on the roof. There are two entrances to the TEC Building, either one provides access to the Meeting and Training Center.

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Photos and audio and video clips from Acting Governor Codey s public events are available in the Governor s Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page at http://www.nj.gov/gov_newsroom.html

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