NJAMHAA News - October 2021

[continued on page 4] N JAMHAAmembers have always been resourceful and innovative in developing programs, enhancing services and expanding the reach of their often limited resources. There are also many examples of providers embracing technology and maximizing its use to further increase the quality of care they provide. In some cases, new and increased use of technology was prompted by the COVID-19 health crisis, so while the pandemic is primarily a negative event that has imposed numerous challenges, it created opportunities that empowered providers to strengthen their businesses and effectiveness in serving people in need. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton “For us, technology has a lot of layers to it frommining data to business intelligence. We’re at a point nowwhere we can use technology to manage the census and outcomes in a way we haven’t been able to in the past. We have more information at the client level and the system level, and we have more information to make good business decisions,” said Susan Loughery, MBA, Associate Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton (CC- Trenton), who also serves as NJAMHAA’s Board Chair. Several CC-Trenton clinical staff members shared the diverse uses and benefits of technology in a variety of programs. The agency began using telehealth for psychiatry long before the pandemic started and since the public health crisis began, use of telehealth was expanded for mental health and substance use (SU) counseling, according to Mischelle Kristofor, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, Director of Addiction Recovery Services. Substance Use Treatment Kristofor shared that although adolescents in SU treatment did not embrace group counseling through telehealth, it has been highly effective with adults. “Adolescents claimed technology problems though this was probably not true. They may have had concerns about peer pressure and judgment. So, we brought them back on site as soon as we could,” Kristofor said, adding that individual counseling through telehealth for adolescents has been going well. NJAMHAA NEWS Your Voice in Behavioral Health since 1951 October 2021 In this Issue ComplyAssistant Helps Ensure Data Security, which Contributes to High-quality Care This issue sponsored by: IT Project Supports Members with COVID- related and many other Technology Needs 8 Ammon Labs ccurate Reliable Testing Since 1998 Providers Use Technology to Be Proactive and Improve Services Technology Enhances Clinical Services Eleos Health Enhances Care Quality through Real-time Analysis and Documentation 13 16 There Is No Going Back; We Are Moving Forward in a New Paradigm 24 Fall Conference October 13 th!