FY2024 Annual Report

36 Transformational Leadership with Powerful Results “ I have greatly benefited from the Leadership Academy! Working with my mentor to brainstorm and develop strategies for my team and me to improve how we care for patients and each other has been so beneficial. My coach has given me insightful suggestions for navigating challenges and opportunities. ” Adiba Saleem, LCSW 2022-2023 Leadership Academy Mentee Manager, Acute Partial Hospitalization, AtlantiCare NJMHI Expands Support Initiatives for DEI and the Behavioral Healthcare Workforce NJAMHAA established the New Jersey Mental Health Institute (NJMHI) in 2000 to augment efforts to break barriers (including cultural and linguistic obstacles) to accessing high-quality mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services. Initiatives include training, technical assistance, research, and policy development. In FY2024, NJMHI welcomed new Board members, adding diversity of cultural background, as well as expertise and professional experience, to the organization and its initiatives. The new NJMHI Board of Trustees members are: Elsa Candelario, MSSW, LCSW, Professor of Professional Practice and Director, Latina/o/x Initiatives for Service, Training, and Assessment Certificate Program, Rutgers University School of Social Work Michele M. Eichorn, MBA, LCSW, Chief Operating Officer, Center for Family Services Brigitte Johnson, Esq., President and CEO, CarePlus NJ, Inc. and NJAMHAA Board Member Napoleon Higgins, Jr., MD, Executive Director, Black Psychiatrists of America; CEO, Global Health Psychiatry Christopher Womack, PhD, MBA, MS, MA, Community Leader Barrett Young, MA, CADC, Chief Executive Officer, Rescue Mission of Trenton - Barrett was elected to serve as Vice Chair, effective July 1, 2024. In addition, Stephanie Marcello, PhD, Assistant Vice President of Academics, Integration and Innovation, Behavioral Research and Training Institute, and Chief Psychologist, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, was elected to serve on the Board beginning July 1, 2024.