FY2026 Annual Report

Annual Report FY2026 25 T he Quality Assurance and Compliance Practice Group continues to demonstrate steady engagement, reflecting a strong commitment to addressing the evolving challenges in behavioral health care. The quarterly meetings provide a valuable forum for internal and external experts to share timely insights on regulatory, compliance, privacy and quality-related developments. In FY2026, topics included AI and cybersecurity readiness, as well as updates related to the Department of Health (DOH) licensing process. The committee also reviewed proposed regulatory developments, including the Integrated Health License framework and its potential implications for service delivery, compliance requirements and organizational readiness. Discussions also included ongoing developments related to the modernization of 42 CFR Part 2, particularly its evolving alignment with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and implications for consent, data sharing and interoperability in substance use disorder treatment. These topics continue to be main areas of focus for the group, as emerging regulatory and operational issues shape behavioral healthcare delivery. The committee will also expand its focus on the responsible and practical use of AI in health care, including governance, ethical considerations, clinical integration, cybersecurity readiness and emerging regulatory frameworks. Additional forward-looking priorities include client satisfaction surveys, service enhancement initiatives and continuous quality improvement efforts as essential components of organizational performance monitoring; behavioral health integration within broader care delivery models; advancements in health data interoperability and information exchange; evolving telehealth regulations; and ongoing updates from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services related to Medicaid managed care and value-based care models. The group will also monitor developments in digital health engagement, patient consent standards, and broader federal efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and health data protection. The practice group remains committed to equipping members with relevant, actionable knowledge to effectively navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving regulatory landscape while supporting high-quality, compliant behavioral healthcare delivery. CO-CHAIRS: Karen Acker Chief Operating Officer West Bergen Mental Healthcare Samantha Burns, MSW, LSW Director of Quality Acenda Integrated Health Victoria Hewitt, MBA Senior Director of Compliance Quality Compliance, and Risk Department Acenda Integrated Health Quality Assurance and Compliance Practice Group