NJAMHAA FY2022 Annual Report

30 A s the pandemic lingers on, NJAMHAA’s Infor - mation Technology (IT) Project is still continu - ously available to support internal and external staff. In addition to continuing its training series and presenting new webinars, the IT Project team has been assisting members with the transition from serv - ing clients in person to using telehealth. In addition, the Division of Mental Health and Addic - tion Services (DMHAS) sought the IT Project’s exper - tise when the COVID Relief Fund became available to reimburse providers for pandemic-related expenses. The IT Project worked with DMHAS to review agen - cies’ submissions for reimbursement for hardware and software purchases they had to make to support telehealth. While the IT Project staff shared its perspective on the necessity and amounts of expenses, they did not have any influence on DMHAS’ decisions regard - ing reimbursements. The program, known as the DMHAS Sub - stance Abuse Block Grant COVID-19 Supplemental Reimbursement (DSCOVRS) Program, has available funding for sub - stance use disorder (SUD) treatment providers under the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant funding, as well as those funded through the Mental Health Block Grant. IT Project Provides Members with Essential Expert Support “The IT Project has had a historic past that impacted the future and successes of so many behavioral health organizations. As noted in other publications, taking agencies from paper to electronic records; assuring everyone was aware of and had HIPAA compliance training, and offering free education to those who wanted it, and rapidly moving IT Project customers to remote and telehealth are just a few of the accomplishments we have had over the years.” – June Noto, Vice President, Human Resources, IT and Administrative Services NJAMHAA