FY2025-Annual-Report

NJAMHAA Annual Report FY 2025 39 NJMHI Aims to Build on its Reach and Impact through New Initiatives 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. Over the years, NJMHI undertook a variety of initiatives include cultural competency training, research, policy development, anti-stigma and anti-discrimination campaigns, and technical assistance for members. NJMHI’s Leadership Academy for Behavioral Healthcare Professionals is continuing to grow. The current cohort, which is the third one that began in September 2024, has 15 mentees in a broad variety of roles — including clinical, human resources, and administration/operations – and has not only retained the original mentors and coaches, but also attracted three new ones. Meanwhile, NJMHI is planning to hold a series of roundtables, Building Solutions Together to Address Access Disparities , which will begin during the fall of 2025. The goal is to develop strategies for creating new opportunities for the African-American and Hispanic populations and providers. Leaders from state departments and the behavioral healthcare field, as well as individuals with lived experience, will be invited to “ Coaching is shaping how I think about how we’re rolling out new policies and practices at our organization and how I interact with my direct reports. ” Jessie Wasserman, LCSW Leadership Academy Mentee 2024-2025, Senior Director of Clinical Operations, Circle of Care for Families and Children of Passaic County, Inc. share their perspectives and recommendations. The first session, Solutions to Engaging Diverse Communities , will focus on encouraging individuals to seek services, building interest in behavioral healthcare careers and ensuring opportunities for success for individuals re-entering the community after being incarcerated. NJMHI also plans to continue exploring funding opportunities to establish a Center of Excellence (COE) on Social Determinants of Health and Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders. The COE’s purpose will be to assist providers in working with their clients to address SDoH, which account for 80 percent of individuals’ health, and achieve health equity in all communities. SDoH include unstable, inadequate and lack of housing; insufficient food and other necessities; and lack of health care, transportation, education and employment. The vision for the COE is to improve health, including mental and behavioral health; increase education, employment and socialization; improve health literacy; and foster the adoption of behaviors that reduce health risks. Goals to achieve this vision have been identified in four areas: education and training; supports, resources and technical assistance; networking and partnerships; and policy development. “ I walk out of each meeting feeling positive, empowered and capable. This will translate into me becoming an effective leader now and down the road. ” Suzanne Grell Leadership Academy Mentee 2024-2025, Quality Improvement Manager, MonmouthCares