NNews December 2023

See for Yourself the Value of Participating on NJAMHAA’s Practice Groups and Councils! NJAMHAA’s practice groups and councils, as well as MembershipMeetings, offer excellent opportunities for networking, which could lead tomeaningful partnerships with other provider organizations; sharing and gaining of valuable information; and contributing to the content and, therefore, impact of our advocacy. Write to ShaunaMoses, Vice President of Public Affairs andMember Services, at smoses@njamhaa.org to receive all the details. 13 “It’s so inspiring to see young people able to accept themselves and understand they’ll be all right. They don’t let stigma hold themback,” Phillips stated. In addition to having a profound impact on youth and adults with TS and their families, NJCTS has been making impressive strides in research through collaborations with several organizations. • The Cell &DNA Sharing Repository, developed by NJCTS and Rutgers University’s RUCDR Infinite Biologics, is the largest collection of TS clinical and genetic data supporting genetics research worldwide. • The Center of Excellence at New York University (NYU) Langone Health and the NYUGrossman School of Medicine provide assessment and treatment, and conduct clinical research. • TIC [Tourette International Collaborative] Genetics consists of clinical researchers worldwide with experience in TS. • Rutgers School of Applied Psychology and the NYU Hackensack Child Study Center offer care and use sliding-fee scales to increase access. In addition, NJCTS educates hospital staff and pediatricians of what signs to look for in their patients. As a result of these initiatives, most childrenwith TS are diagnosed around age 5 or 6. By contrast, before the late Faith Rice founded the organization, she and her son struggled for ten years before he was diagnosed. For treatment, the gold standard is comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics. There currently is no medication to stop tics fromoccurring. However, they are not themajor problem. Themost challenging issues are co-occurringmental and behavioral health disorders, which exacerbate TS and heighten tics and are present in approximately 80%of individuals who have TS, according to Phillips. “So, in treatment, we need to focus onwhat is working for each person in addressing anxiety, depression, etc. and develop a treatment plan based on that,” she stated. Phillips added that people with TS or other chronic tic disorders have a four-times higher risk of suicide, compared to the general population. In addition, 33%of children and 68% of adults with TS or other tic disorder exhibit self-harmbehavior. NJAMHAAHelps Foster Additional Partnerships In the spirit of collaboration, Mercer Council and NJCTS are exploring new alliances with fellowNJAMHAA members. For example, Phillips shared that she and her staff have met partners at NJAMHAA conferences and Dave DeCamp, CPRS, Mercer Council’s Director of Recovery, shared the value of participating on several practice groups. “NJAMHAA has been nothing short of positive. As a provider of OORP services for Mercer County, it is critical to understand the challenges faced by hospitals, residential treatment providers, and local medication-assisted treatment prescribers when dealing with opioid use disorder patients in the era of fentanyl, xylazine and other synthetic opioids and adulterants. The Addictions and Residential Provider Practice Groups definitely address those challenges, and help us make better referrals for clients who may be challenged by insurance issues (Medicaid/Medicare), medical complications, and mental health complications,” he said. “The Hospital Community Integration Council also addresses important issues, such as partnering with local service providers and eliminating ‘gaps’ between hospital- and community-based treatment providers. Participating in these groups has definitely helped me provide better input into other efforts, such as the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services Professional Advisory Committee’s subcommittee on Peer Best Practices and the Mercer County Overdose Fatality Review Team, which I am chairing for the fourth year,” DeCamp added.