TRENTON — Kevin Martone, deputy commissioner for the state Department of Human Services overseeing mental health services, is leaving his post next month to take a job in Boston, according to an e-mail he sent to colleagues today. Martone leaves as Gov. Chris Christie and Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez have proposed to close one of the state's five...
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Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital, located in Lebanon Township, faces possible closure under a plan by Gov. Christie.TRENTON — Kevin Martone, deputy commissioner for the state Department of Human Services overseeing mental health services, is leaving his post next month to take a job in Boston, according to an e-mail he sent to colleagues today.
Martone leaves as Gov. Chris Christie and Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez have proposed to close one of the state's five public psychiatric facilities — most likely the Sen. Garrett W. Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital in Glen Gardner. The idea has been met by criticism by the families of patients, employees and state lawmakers, but praise from some advocacy groups that have long criticized New Jersey's reliance on institutions.
Appointed by Gov. Richard Codey six years ago to oversee mental health services, Martone leaves to become director of behavioral health for a national nonprofit organization advising government leaders on social policy issues.
His last day is July 19.
"I have accepted an opportunity as the Director for Behavioral Health at the Technical Assistance Collaborative in Boston, a national non-profit organization that provides technical assistance and other services for federal, state and local governments and providers on human services related issues,'' Martone wrote in an e-mail he sent late this afternoon to community mental health agency operators. "I am looking forward to utilizing what I have learned in New Jersey and expanding it to help shape other systems throughout the country.''
"Keep in mind that each of you plays an important role in delivering vital services to New Jersey residents, and that those services are provided with respect and dignity. The Department’s mission is large, vast and often underestimated, and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to carry out that mission with you,'' according to Martone's email.
Martone, a licensed social worker, was elected last year president of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. Before his stint in public service, he was President/CEO for Advance Housing, a non-profit housing provider for people with mental illness northern New Jersey. He lives in Pennington with his wife and two children.
Department spokeswoman Ellen Lovejoy confirmed Martone's planned departure.
Robert Davison, executive director of the Essex County Mental Health Association, said Martone leaves behind a legacy of adding more than 1,000 supervised homes for people with mental illness. "He understood unless someone was housed, really not much else can happen,'' Davison said.
Davison said he disagreed with Martone's plan to close Hagedorn, but he respected his judgment. "Every decision he made was based on what was best for consumers,'' he said.
On Tuesday, Velez announced four new senior appointments, which can be found here: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/news/press/2011/approved/20110607.html">
Related coverage:
• N.J. Assembly budget panel hears plea to keep Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital open
• Sen. Codey criticizes Newark boarding house where Hagedorn patients could be placed
• Task force submits inconclusive report on closing Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital