FY2025-Annual-Report

NJAMHAA Annual Report FY 2025 17 NJAMHAA’s Diverse Groups GainMore Member Involvement and Valuable Contributions T ransitions – A Look to the Future of Care, Coordination, and Funding Paul Duck Chief Strategy Officer, OPEN MINDS U pdates from the U.S. Department of Human Services, Region 2 Cheylisia Edwards Office for Civil Rights Dennis O. Romero, MA Regional Director, Region 2, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Q &A on the Carve-in of More Services into Medicaid Managed Care Ann Kohler, MCRP Former Deputy Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Human Services; Former Director, New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services; Former Deputy Commissioner, New York State Department of Health; and Former President, National Association of Medicaid Directors While NJAMHAA’s membership meetings, practice groups and councils have maintained active involvement from individuals throughout the association, participation has significantly increased. This positive trend is attributed partly to meetings being held virtually so that time is saved by not needing to travel. An even more significant reason is that both new and long-term staff at member organizations are realizing the value of NJAMHAA and the ongoing opportunities to share experiences and insights to inform and strengthen NJAMHAA’s advocacy. These meetings also frequently highlight guest presenters, both from within the membership and elsewhere in the behavioral healthcare field throughout the state and the nation, providing many opportunities for members to gain valuable knowledge, tools and other resources from experts. For example, the Membership Meetings in FY2025 featured the following keynote presentations and discussion topics: P erspectives on Substance Use Treatment and Related Regulations Yngvild Olsen, MD, MPH Director, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration The Latest Developments in Integrated Behavioral Health Care Stephanie Marcello, PhD Assistant Vice President, Academics, Integration and Innovation and Chief Psychologist, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, and Member of the New Jersey Mental Health Institute Board of Trustees F ireside Chat: Facing the Future Jonah Cunningham President and CEO of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors Kevin McArdle Political Consultant and Former Statehouse Correspondent for NJ101.5 In addition, several members presented on their new and innovative clinical programs, technological tools for enhancing treatment and groundbreaking partnerships. These presentations undoubtedly inspired the development of newer creative initiatives and meaningful collaborations that help achieve more positive outcomes for individuals receiving services.