FY2025-Annual-Report

NJAMHAA Annual Report FY 2025 3 Dear NJAMHAA Members: Nothing deters the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) from its unwavering and strong advocacy on behalf of its members as we face all challenges head on! And there certainly has been no shortage of challenges at both the state and federal levels during the current fiscal year. Just five months into a new Administration and Congress, federal fiscal and policy reversals have caused immediate and impending impacts to reverberate throughout the behavioral health field. This comes on the heels of COVID relief and American Rescue Plan funding ending, and at a time when current and forecast state revenues are down, all amidst an election year climate. Against this backdrop, and along with the significant recent change to New Jersey’s behavioral health delivery system with the start of the carve-in to managed care, NJAMHAA has been an influential voice and leader for its members in facing never-ending challenges head on. Over the last decade, NJAMHAA successfully led our members through many substantial structural changes and other challenges to service provision. From 2016’s transition to fee-for-service with certain special populations carved in to managed care shortly thereafter; followed by the COVID pandemic and all the challenges that came with it - an instant transition to telehealth, intensified workforce shortages, and daily policy changes; up to the current integration of outpatient services into Medicaid managed care, NJAMHAA has been at the forefront of advocacy, networking, education, information sharing and more in support of its members and those they serve. As increased demand for your services and the greater acuity of those needing them continue unabated, along with a workforce shortage and inadequate rates and contracts, NJAMHAA is proud to be by your side in meeting these challenges head on. We work each and every day on your behalf - on changes to processes, regulations, legislation, budgets and more - to ensure you are able to achieve success in the face of adversity. NJAMHAA will continue to do so, with our successes measured by how they aid your work and sustainability. In the coming pages, we will share many such achievements from FY2025. They range from the new facility licensing process, to multiple policy wins relevant to the carve-in, to, very importantly, maintenance of almost all behavioral health funding in the Governor’s FY2026 proposed budget. As we at NJAMHAA continue meeting challenges head on, and prepare for and shape changes that are on the horizon, we encourage you to join us in our advocacy, training and networking opportunities, and to share your valuable input that guides the positions we take with state and federal policymakers. We highly value you, our members, and the opportunity to support the important work you do, and look forward to providing you with continued powerful, impactful results from our leadership and relentless advocacy. Debra L. Wentz, PhD President and CEO Anthony Comerford, PhD FY 2025 NJAMHAA Board Chair Message from the President and Chief Executive Officer and Board Chair