NNews December 2023

NJAMHAA NEWS Your Voice in Behavioral Health since 1951 NJAMHAA and NJMHI Persevere to Build the Behavioral Healthcare Workforce (continued on page 4) A s the workforce crisis continues to have a catastrophic impact on the behavioral healthcare field, both NJAMHAA and its charitable organization, the New Jersey Mental Health Institute (NJMHI), are persisting in their efforts to expand and strengthen the industry. “The extensive array of clinical and support services that NJAMHAAmembers provide have been proven to substantially improve the quality of life for New Jersey residents of all ages. NJAMHAA is forging ahead with even stronger advocacy for more funding to cover the full cost of care, andNJMHI launched a professional development program with the goal of creating a career path for behavioral health staff to help recruit and retain a strong behavioral health workforce to ensure that the growing number of individuals in need of behavioral health services can promptly receive them,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA and Executive Director of NJMHI. Inside this Issue NewNJMHI BoardMembers Aim to CreateMore Opportunities for Former Inmates PAGE 7 Mercer Council andNJCTS ReachMilestone Anniversaries PAGE 11 NewMembers C-Line and Discovery Add Innovative Programs, Including Technology, to Address SUDs PAGE 15 988Managing Entity Carelon Behavioral Health Joins NJAMHAA PAGE 23 Sigmund Laboratory Offers Unique Combination of Toxicology and Testing Expertise PAGE 27 Artificial Intelligence Supports Clinical DecisionMaking in Behavioral Health Care PAGE 32 December 2023