Oaks Integrated Care, one of New Jersey’s largest human service providers, has officially announced a merger with the Association for Advancement of Mental Health (AAMH), a behavioral health nonprofit based in Princeton.
The strategic partnership unites two mission-driven organizations, significantly strengthening and expanding access to essential mental health and addiction services for vulnerable children, adults, and families across the state, particularly in the greater Mercer County community.
Under the agreement, which was approved by both organizations’ Boards of Trustees and the State of New Jersey, AAMH will now operate as a program within Oaks Integrated Care’s extensive family of services. This merger boosts Oaks’ capacity to over 230 programs serving 40,000 people with a staff of 2,100 employees.
Derry Holland, CEO of Oaks Integrated Care, emphasized that the decision was rooted in service. “The heart of this merger is about mission,” Holland shared. “AAMH brings deep expertise and strong community relationships in Princeton. Together, we’ll build on that foundation and ensure people can access the right support at every stage of their journey.”
The integration allows AAMH to enhance efficiency by incorporating Oaks’ operational support in technology, compliance, finance, human resources, and development.
AAMH currently provides critical services, including individual and family counseling, medication management, psychiatric evaluation, and care coordination.
AAMH Board Chair Cynthia Murphy highlighted the mutual benefits: “By joining forces, we can offer a broader network of services and create an even greater impact for the individuals and families we serve in Mercer County and beyond.”
The merger follows Oaks Integrated Care’s history of strategic partnerships, including successful integrations with Steininger Behavioral Care Services, Greater Trenton Behavioral HealthCare, and COPE Center.
Aaron Nelson, Oaks Integrated Care Board Chair, noted the stability the merger brings “in a challenging funding environment,” ensuring continuous care for New Jersey residents. The goal is to create a seamless continuum of care, where individuals seeking support for mental health can also access help with housing, food, job training, and other social determinants of health.
