NJAMHAA-FY23-Annual-Report

23 NJAMHAA Annual Report FY 2023 Evidence-Based Practices Implementation Practice Group Co-Chairs: Elizabeth O’Callaghan, BA, CADC Training and Consultation Specialist, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care Anna Marie Toto, EdM Program Analyst, Behavioral Research and Training Institute, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care Over the past year, the Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) Implementation Practice Group broadened its agenda. The co-chairs worked to intentionally apply the theory and frameworks of implementation science into more actionable steps. For example, implementation planning and mapping tools paired with creative activities were introduced for members to practice in-session and consider transferring to their organizations/programs. Additionally, they incorporated industries outside of behavioral health as models for helping to bridge the implementation concepts. The collaboration of ideas are pinnacle to the group’s success, which resulted in the launch of a new mini-series, “EBP Practice ‘Member’ Showcase”. This series ensures structured time for group members to formally share their knowledge, innovation and expertise. The group is excited to feature two showcases per calendar year. The practice group also highlighted the many creative strategies to mitigate identified implementation challenges at the members’ respective organizations. The development of innovative methods to integrate EBPs into daily practice became a running theme in the discussions. The EBP Implementation Practice Group continues to emphasize and evoke practical, adaptable and “out of the box” thinking about EBP implementation, which ultimately enhances the providers’ competency toward improved organizational and patient outcomes. Hospital Community Integration Council Co-Chairs: Brigitte Johnson, Esq. NJAMHAA and NJMHI Board Member, President & CEO, CarePlus NJ Susan Loughery, MBA Immediate Past Chair, NJAMHAA Board and Associate Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton Kristine Pendy, LCSW NJAMHAA Board Member and Chief Clinical Officer, Behavioral Health, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center The Hospital Community Integration Council (HCIC) continues to discuss the DOH Quality Improvement Program (QIP) with a particular focus on building partnerships between hospital- and community- based providers in serving mutual clients and sharing data that is needed for providers to earn QIP credit for the required outcomes they achieve. Steve Tunney, RN, MSN, Director, Behavioral Health, Division of Medical Assistance & Health Services, attended some of the meetings to discuss QIP- related billing issues. The group also discusses overall opportunities and challenges related to the QIP. One of these discussions led to a webinar on the EmPATH model by the internationally renowned Dr. Scott Zeller, Vice President, Acute Psychiatry, Vituity and a QIP consultant for DOH, which was presented in March 2023. As the QIP discussions revealed a need for more billing codes to be opened and others to be expanded to more types of providers, as well as a need for billing training, the HCIC met with NJAMHAA’s Billing Supervisors Practice Group and representatives from Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics to determine the specifics for advocacy and the needed training, which NJAMHAA staff has been working to implement.