FY2024 Annual Report

10 Transformational Leadership with Powerful Results Ongoing policy and legislative advocacy has also realized many interim successes. Among the areas where NJAMHAA continues to have significant impacts are: TELEHEALTH PROVISIONS: After having achieved an extension of the temporary certification process for Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) and Temporary Graduate Licensure (TGL) process that were slated to end early in 2023, NJAMHAA began working to see that these policies are made permanent in legislation that would also provide permission for the first time for social work interns to provide services via telehealth. Permanency for the CADC certification and TGL are included in legislation for which NJAMHAA has secured a commitment from the sponsor that social work interns will be added by amendment. NJAMHAA will continue to work on ensuring that these provisions remain in the final legislation that will be sent to the Governor. INDEXING LEGISLATION: As a core member of the Human Services Equity Coalition (HUSEC), a group formed to advance A1143/ S1032 – a bill to index rates and contracts to inflation – NJAMHAA has prominently participated in meetings with the sponsors, advocacy with all legislators, letters and media communications, including a press conference, to see this bill advance to the Governor’s desk this session. CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS (CCBHCS): NJAMHAA continues to work with CCBHC grantee and demonstration programs along with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) as a State Plan Amendment to include the CCBHC model is developed. NJAMHAA is also working with expansion grantees to identify bridge funding to support their programs until state certification begins. PROGRAMS FOR ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT (PACT): NJAMHAA is a member of the DMHAS’ workgroup that is reviewing the PACT regulations and will continue to advocate for psychiatric advanced practice nurses to fill the role of psychiatrists on PACT teams. INTEGRATED CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES (ICMS): NJAMHAA’s ICMS Practice Group has shared draft regulations for the ICMS program with DMHAS and held several meetings to discuss proposed changes. NJAMHAA continues to advocate for these regulations to be finalized. HOUSING: President and CEO Dr. Debra Wentz and Senior Health Policy Analyst Mary Abrams are members of the NJ FamilyCare 1115 Housing Supports Workgroup and several of its subgroups, helping to shape how managed care housing supports will work with existing housing services found throughout multiple community provider programs. NJAMHAA Continues to Lead on Important, Impactful Issues