NJAMHAA News - October 2021

October 2021 9 However, the IT Project team returned to doing on-site visits later in the pandemic. This was particularly important for group homes, which did not have any staff working off-site. Invaluable Support Long before the Pandemic While the pandemic prompted many agencies to begin or expand their use of telehealth, the IT Project has played a supportive role since before the pandemic. “Members asked us for recommendations on which web cameras and other equipment to use and about HIPAA issues,” Gordon said, referring to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which specifies requirements to ensure confidentiality of clients’ data. “Because technology needs were so significant during the pandemic and in the fee-for-service structure and we had limited technology infrastructure, I asked the IT Project what to keep in-house and what to outsource to maximize our workforce. June and Ron were very helpful in explaining what the landscape would look like and guiding us on outsourcing network switches, increasing bandwidth and enhancing security,” said Susan Loughery, MBA, Associate Executive Director of CC-Trenton and NJAMHAA Board Chair. “The IT Project is an excellent resource for scaling operations,” she added. Hardware and software needs continue, of course, and the IT Project staff share their expertise to support members. For example, the team helped CC-Trenton increase its Internet speed. “We have four buildings close together in Trenton, so many of us are using e-mail, the electronic health record system and telehealth at the same time,” explained Mischelle Kristofor, LCSW, LCADC, CCS, Director of Addiction Recovery Services, stressing the importance of increased speed to ensure the agency’s efficiency. Ongoing Support through Practice Groups and Training Events With the implementation of telehealth during the pandemic came many questions on billing, which the IT Project’s Billing Supervisors Practice Group addresses, along with many other billing issues relating to HIPAA, Medicaid and other third-party billing entities. In fact, this group has been extremely active for more than 24 years, working with each other and DMHAS to improve the way NJAMHAAmember agencies bill and collect for services rendered. The participants also provide analysis and advocacy, and are actively involved in their own listserv, to support each other in strengthening their organizations. The IT Project also facilitates an IT Professional Advisory Committee. “We help agencies with computer networking and security challenges, and we provide a forum to address data challenges with DMHAS,” said group chair Teri Gilroy, Senior Data Analyst, Acenda Integrated Health. She cited the creation of a new portal system for Quarterly Contract Monitoring Reports and Universal Services Transaction Forms and ensuring consistency in capturing and interpreting data as examples. Another IT Project group is the Compliance and Performance Improvement Committee, which shares information about and advocates on issues related to quality assurance, performance improvement, licensing, regulations, standards, accreditation and corporate compliance. “This group is so beneficial in upholding quality and compliance within our provider agencies. The information presented at meetings– from quality chart review ideas, compliance training, state audits, HIPAA concerns and so much more – is so vital,” said Karen Acker, Administrative Director at West Bergen Mental Healthcare, who chairs this group. The IT Project’s newest practice group is for human resources professionals, which conducted a salary survey and hosted experts on employee benefit programs, changes in federal and state employment laws, and considerations for employers’ regarding COVID-19 vaccinations this past year. In addition to facilitating these essential discussions and advocating on behalf of members, the IT Project constantly offers training on critical topics, such as scams, cybersecurity and cyber awareness. These issues and many others are addressed during webinars throughout the year and at the annual IT conferences. “My staff highly value the IT conferences and attend every year. They provide a lot of useful information, give them ideas for IT strategic planning and introduce them to a network of vendors and different organizations that can support our growth,” said Loughery from CC- Trenton. [continued on page 10] The IT Project staff are critical and made a difference in what we are able to do. Kim Ewell Chief Operating Officer Triple C Housing