New Jersey Statutes Title 30. Institutions and Agencies 30 § 9B-1

The Legislature finds and declares that: there is a great need to foster innovative, cost-effective social and health services; self-help and mutual aid groups are based on a long-standing and deeply rooted American tradition of local, volunteer initiatives; there is increasing scientific evidence that self-help activities have long-term health benefits; the President's Commission on Mental Health has recommended the establishment of self-help clearinghouses to promote the development, coordination and public awareness of self-help groups; and the creation of a Statewide Self-Help Clearinghouse would be an invaluable resource for the citizens of this State.