NJAMHAA-70th-anniversary-publication

60 IT Project Provides Expert Guidance on Technology and Related Laws B ack in the mid-1980’s, as the personal computer market was slowly unfolding, the New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services (DMHS, now the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services [DMHAS]) recognized that treatment providers were going to need assistance to best use technology and wanted to provide a resource that could advise on hardware and software applications, so that providers could fully focus on the mission of delivering services to the most vulnerable people in the state, those with mental illness and substance use disorders (SUD). Personal computers were just coming of age and contract administrators were receiving requests for several thousands of dollars for computer equipment and had no expertise to determine if the equipment was fairly priced or needed for the purposes indicated. DMHAS worked with a third-party vendor for equipment and other technical expertise; however, DMHAS still lacked an intermediary that had an outstanding reputation with providers, could provide guidance on the proper use of technology and could act as a liaison between DMHAS and the provider community. The state wanted to be in direct contact with provid- ers to better understand their technical obstacles, control technology expenses, ensure providers met federal and state regulations, and partner with them to produce a more efficient delivery system utilizing technology. NJAMHAA launched the Community Management Information Services (MIS) Project as a private/public venture among the trade association, providers and the state in 1984. “This Project was unique in the nation then and the leadership that the Project has provided and currently offers is still unparalleled within the 50 states.” – June Noto, NJAMHAA