NNews-Aug-2025

4 August 2025 The Academy also Seeks — and Benefits — Mentors and Coaches Mentors’ and coaches’ expertise are needed to help reinforce the behavioral healthcare systemand ensure organizations’ enduring ability to serve the increasing number of individuals in need. “Mentors have walked in mentees’ shoes in some way, shape or form. They have worked andmay still be working in the same field as thementees,” said Cheryl Marks Young, MAS, PCC, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Creative Blueprints for Leaders, who is a mentor for some Academy mentees and a coach for others. “Coaches are not experts in the same field as thementors. However, they are experts in howmentees should proceed in working toward their goals,” she explained. Marks Young also serves as Secretary for the NJMHI Board of Trustees. The expertise of leaders from the behavioral healthcare field and other industries is needed to provide the foundation for mentees to advance in their careers and to build themanagement workforce the behavioral healthcare field needs. Preparation for individuals’ future roles and strengthening of the behavioral healthcare workforce are especially critical as the field has been experiencing a recruitment and retention crisis, yet the demand for services continues to significantly increase. NJMHI Leadership Academy Creates Career Paths and Helps Increase Staff Retention Cheryl Marks Young, MAS, PCC Founder and Chief Executive Officer Creative Blueprints for Leaders “ I walk out of each meeting feeling positive, empowered and capable. This will translate into me becoming an effective leader now and down the road. ” Suzanne Grell 2024-2025 Leadership Academy Mentee Quality Improvement Manager Monmouth-Cares “ I’m learning how to best respond to new expectations and working on honing my skills to achieve key performance indicators. I’m receiving so much support for self-exploration and continued growth. ” Paulina Dutton, LAC 2024-2025 Leadership AcademyMentee Community Relations and Resource Development Director, Circle of Care for Families and Children of Passaic County, Inc. “ This is a great opportunity. I’m grateful for it. I was recently promoted and managing more staff than before. I learned how to speak to my employees so they understand. I also learned how to deal with difficult employees, to empathize and show that I care. These improved skills enabled me to achieve goals earlier than I had planned. ” MariaMartinez 2024-2025 Leadership Academy Mentee, Senior Office Manager CarePlus NJ continued frompage 1 continued on page 5