Meet the Assistant Commissioner
Lynn A. Kovich, M.Ed. |
Lynn A. Kovich. M.Ed., is the Assistant Commissioner for the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) in the Department of Human Services. The Division is the single state authority for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders with a budget that exceeds $900 million, employs over 5,000 and serves about 250,000 New Jersey residents. The Division is responsible for the coordination, administration, management and supervision of the institutional and community public mental health system, and is also responsible for regulating, monitoring, planning and funding substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery support services.
DMHAS operates five psychiatric hospitals, one of which is a forensic center. And, it monitors inpatient services provided by public hospitals and psychiatric units in local general hospitals with which the Division contracts. In addition, the Division contracts with approximately 280 private non-profit agencies for community mental health and addictions services.
Prior to her appointment, Ms. Kovich was the Director of Human Services in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania and previous to that, the Vice President of Alternatives, Inc. in Raritan, New Jersey – a non-profit service agency that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with mental illness and individuals/families experiencing homelessness.
Ms. Kovich holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Allentown College of St. Francis DeSales and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Lehigh University.
Some of Ms. Kovich’s highlighted accomplishments include:
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Closure of a psychiatric hospital – Allentown State Hospital
Oversight of a managed behavioral healthcare system – Health Choices Program
Implemented a $7 million supportive housing plan to serve individuals with mental illness and/or a substance abuse disorder.
Worked collaboratively with the child welfare system and juvenile probation system to develop evidence based practices to serve children in one or both systems. |
