NJAMHAA-70th-anniversary-publication

61 “This Project was unique in the nation then, and the leadership that the Project has provided and cur- rently offers is still unparalleled within the 50 states,” said June Noto, Vice President of Information Tech- nology (IT), Human Resources and Administrative Services. “We are humbled that DMHAS has valued our part- nership and continues to reach out to us for new initiatives. It is a testament to our ability to perform well,” Noto said. “We take great pride in working with members on important statewide projects and finding solutions for individual agencies.” As shared in a NJAMHAA newsletter from the 1980s, then-NJAMHAA Board Chair Joe Masciandaro, MA, Chief Executive Officer of CarePlus NJ, helped the association jump right into this new initiative by signing a purchase order for more than $1 million worth of personal computers for member agencies. Over the years, the Project grew, added staff — from 1.5 full-time equivalent technicians to a team of three engineers and a full-time help desk represen- tative — changed its name to the IT Project to better reflect where technology was heading, and expand- ed services to meet providers’ increasing needs. The early adopters of technology were swiftly moving forward, while slow adopters were struggling with equipment that was not used to the extent it should to glean data for decision support. “We continually strive to keep up with quickly chang- ing technology and help agencies deal with rapid and continuous transformations. It’s a never ending cycle with technology,” said Ron Gordon, IT Project Director. The IT Project set about its mission to assist pro- viders with the collection, processing, integration and interpretation of data through automation. By facilitating the sharing of technical expertise, future trends and the management of outcome, perfor- mance and financial data, the Project investigated new applications and tested new technologies that would contribute to increased efficiency, enhanced revenue and reduction in costs and, in general, sup- port high-quality treatment for individuals in need of behavioral health treatment and support services. The IT Project was the first in the nation to conduct a statewide benchmarking project, which enabled pro- viders to compare their fiscal, clinical and operation- al benchmarks with peers throughout New Jersey. In the 37 years that NJAMHAA has collaborated with DMHAS, advocacy efforts on behalf of its members have only been strengthened through this partner- ship. DMHAS values NJAMHAA’s contributions and opinions, and recognizes the IT Project as a valuable expert resource to them as it is to NJAMHAA mem- bers and other IT Project clients. The Project meets quarterly with DMHAS and the provider community and advocates directly to DMHAS for improvements and changes. “It has been a successful partnership and an excel- lent resource to all Project stakeholders,” Noto said. For several retired members who were involved with NJAMHAA for many years, the Project stands out as one of the association’s most significant accomplish- ments. “If the MIS Project didn’t bring mental health agencies into the computer age, where would agen- cies be today, especially with COVID and telehealth?” said Pete Scerbo, MSW, LCSW, former Executive Director of Comprehensive Behavioral Health Care and a former NJAMHAA Board member. “The Project pushed providers to use technology, and it expand- ed over the years.” “We continually strive to keep up with quickly changing technology and help agencies deal with rapid and continuous transformations. It’s a never ending cycle with technology.” – Ron Gordon, NJAMHAA