FY 2020 annual report

A Y E A R L I K E N O O T H E R 8 NJAMHAA has been working nonstop advocating for regulations to be relaxed. Successes at both the state and federal levels include: reimbursement for services provided through telehealth and in alternate locations; having the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMAHS) rapidly respond to requests for emergency funding by issuing monthly retainer payments for state-funded contracts in lieu of having providers bill fee-for-service (FFS); and having members recognized as priority providers to receive medical supplies and PPE. In addition, NJAMHAA’s advocacy contributed to the relatively quick passage and signing by Governor Phil Murphy of bills to expand access to telehealth services and to allow professional and occupational licensing boards to expedite licensure of out-of-state professionals. Following these many initial successes, NJAMHAA is looking to make several new policies permanent, including the end to the FFS reimbursement system that the pandemic has shown to be inadequate and a risk to sustainability. NJAMHAA has been actively involved with the statewide Mental Health Coalition and the New Jersey Business Coalition, which was convened by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA). NJAMHAA has been advocating for nonprofits of all sizes to be eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program and, working with NJBIA, is focused on providing a safe opening of the state with funding and a regulatory environment that supports all businesses, including NJAMHAA members. On the federal level, NJAMHAA has been collaborating continuously with the National Council for Behavioral Health, National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Mental Health America on advocacy about the various stimulus packages and other legislation that remains critical to the behavioral healthcare system. NJAMHAA will continue looking to the future to develop strategies for how members can safely transition back to facility-based operations amidst COVID-19, which will remain a factor for some time to come. Leadership in Advocacy and Impact during the COVID-19 Pandemic (continued) NJAMHAA held multiple membership conference calls and conducted several surveys to gain feedback from members. Some calls were for the full membership, others were for a specific program type, such as residential providers and Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services. Others were dedicated to topics, such as telehealth, federal employment laws and loan provisions. During regularly scheduled discussions with several Practice Groups, members shared their concerns, challenges, best practices and successes related to the pandemic, including conducting group sessions via telehealth; quarantining and isolating clients who test positive and/or were symptomatic in adults’ and children’s congregate care settings; and how to manage staff stress and the transition to telecommuting. Advocacy and other Member Services