NJAMHAA-FY23-Annual-Report

10 Breaking Barriers in Behavioral Health Care In addition to the many fiscal successes to date for both FY2023 and FY2024, NJAMHAA has had many policy wins that support the life-saving work of members, expand access to care and improve outcomes for those served. Among the legislative, policy and regulatory successes NJAMHAA realized this fiscal year are: Policy and Regulatory Advocacy • An extension of the temporary certification process for Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors that was slated to end in March. Continued discussions with the Division of Consumer Affairs are expected to maintain such extensions until such time that legislation (S3596/A4619) is passed, making the process permanent. • Secured amendment to S2668/ A508 to ensure Medicaid rates are included in this indexing bill. • Secured amendments to S1522, a bill that eliminates the joint protocol for Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), to allow Psychiatric APNs (and only Psychiatric APNs) to sign screening certificates in the involuntary commitment process. • Established a workgroup with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) expansion grantees to explore the new federal opportunity to expand New Jersey’s CCBHC demonstration program by state certification of additional organizations that meet the demonstration model criteria standards. • Pursuant to long-standing advocacy to allow Psychiatric APNs to fill the role of Psychiatrists on Programs for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) teams, NJAMHAA has been invited to participate in DMHAS’ workgroup reviewing the PACT regulations. • Working with NJAMHAA’s Integrated Case Management Services (ICMS) Practice Group, draft regulations for the ICMS program are near finalized and ready to present to DMHAS. • NJAMHAA President and CEO Dr. Debra L. Wentz and two NJAMHAA members were appointed by Governor Murphy to the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council, which is important to the disbursement of opioid settlement funds to address opioid and other substance use disorders. • Established a quarterly workgroup with the Department of Health to address members’ issues related to programmatic licensing and site visits. • NJAMHAA President and CEO Dr. Debra L. Wentz was appointed to the DMHAS Professional Advisory Committee that meets regularly regarding best practices and challenges for substance use treatment and supports. Several NJAMHAA Board members and other members also serve on this committee. The many critical points of access to policymakers represented in this list are a product of NJAMHAA’s reputation and the relationships it has built. NJAMHAA consistently builds new relationships wherever they are needed to resolve challenges members face. For example, NJAMHAA wasted no time in reaching out to new leadership at the Division of Consumer Affairs to work toward solutions to individual licensing barriers. The solid foundation and lines of communication established with them have already led to several advocacy successes.