NNews December 2023

5 December 2023 Advocacy Includes Focus on Managed Care, as It Will Impact theWorkforce “While we laud the admirable goals of the 1115 Waiver and look forward toworkingwith all Departments andDivisions to achieve them, the workforce crisis needs immediate attention just to sustain the current network of providers, let alone to support new and expanded initiatives, followed by the many services proposed in the waiver,” Dr. Wentz stressed. The service expansions she referred to include Early Intervention Support Services, School-Based Youth Services Programs, NJ Statewide Student Support Services and the 988 crisis response system, which includes the creation of crisis stabilization centers and additional mobile crisis teams. New Campaign Builds on NJAMHAA’s Successful Advocacy for theWorkforce In the NewYear, NJAMHAAwill unveil its FY2025 campaign, Diverse Faces: All AreWorthy of Full Investment , to build on the successes of the previous Diverse Faces campaigns. It will feature service providers and recipients to illustrate the value of all behavioral healthcare services and the need to ensure the systemhas sufficient staff to provide them. “We will be going ahead full force with advocacy for more funds than ever,” Dr. Wentz stated. “That is because they are direly needed to retain our workers.” NJMHI Leadership Academy Strengthens theWorkforce in Clinical and Other Roles The NJMHI Leadership Academy for Behavioral Healthcare Professionals presents opportunities for emerging leaders in all roles—clinical, administrative, information technology, legal, finance, human resources, etc. —inmental health, substance use disorder, intellectual/developmental disabilities and social services organizations. “While building their skills for future leadership roles, mentees will also contribute to their organizations’ long-term sustainability and improve the quality and consistency of care to the individuals served,” Dr. Wentz stated. Each mentee is paired with a mentor (a leader in the behavioral healthcare field) and a coach (a leader from another industry), with whom they meet separately on a monthly basis. “Thementors and coaches have a variety of experience and expertise that the mentees benefit from tremendously in their current positions and their journeys toward future leadership positions,” Dr. Wentz said. NJAMHAA is participating in DHS’ 1115 Waiver stakeholder meetings as part of its ongoing advocacy for the behavioral healthcare workforce, as well as the gradual carve-in of services intoMedicaidManaged Care. One specific request is to require that the floor for managed care rates be no less than the Medicaid rates. “Providers need higher reimbursement rates in order to offer competitive wages and benefits to their current and potential employees. Staff recruitment and retention are essential tomeet the constantly increasing demand for services,” Dr. Wentz stressed. In addition, all participants share their Academy experiences, goals and activities during quarterly meetings, which feature inspiring and informative guest presenters from a variety of professions. The Leadership Academy launched the second cohort in September 2023 with nearly triple the size of the first group and a significantly broader array of positions. Whereas the first group of mentees are exclusively in clinical roles and supervisory positions in clinical programs, the second class includes individuals in human resources and administrative positions, as well as clinical supervisors and direct service providers. NJMHI also retained the nationally renowned original mentors and coaches and attracted several newones. Applications for the third cohort and details on the program — including fact sheets specifically for mentees, mentors and coaches —are available in the Programs section of the NJMHI website (www.njmhi.org) .