NNews March 2026

March 2026 3 Dear NJAMHAANews Readers, As always, NJAMHAA not only keeps members informed up to the minute, but also prepares them for what’s to come. As the most pressing issues right now are federal funding cuts to Medicaid, newwork requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries and other ramifications of H.R. 1 , NJAMHAAmaximizes its partnerships with experts to help providers remain sustainable to serve everyone in need. With these challenges in mind, we are featuring in this issue of NJAMHAANews invaluable recommendations fromKimWilliams, Principal at Health Management Associates, and Paul M. Duck, Chief Strategy Officer at OPENMINDS . NJAMHAA is always actively seeking to strengthen partnerships with hospital-based members, hospital systems and community-based providers to help prevent emergency department backups and rehospitalizations and to contribute to successful discharges. Our Hospital Community Integration Council is laser focused on fostering collaboration, which is essential with the systemic shift the soon-to-be promulgated integrated care regulations will bring. Another example is our newNursing Practice Group, which strives to reinforce interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance the quality of care delivered throughout the behavioral healthcare continuum. Partnerships with individuals and entities external to NJAMHAA are equally important. NJAMHAA has more than 50 strategic alliances with stakeholders in the state and nearly 20 nationally. We are especially proud of our relationships with state and federal policymakers and legislators, and industry leaders. All of these partnerships support our goal of ensuring that each and every person receives the most appropriate services when they are needed. Collaboration has enabled NJAMHAA to achieve significant, positive impact on budgets, legislation and regulations throughout our history, and we are proud to celebrate our 75th anniversary this year. This milestone will be the highlight of our Spring Conference, Evolving Behavioral Health, Advancing Together for 75 Years , which will take place April 14 and 15, 2026, at the APA Hotel Woodbridge, Iselin, NJ. This event will feature two prominent keynote presenters. On the first day, Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, Executive in Residence, General Catalyst and Board Chair, Teleflex—along with NJAMHAA’s own thought leaders Deborah Visconi, President and CEO, FROM THE DESK OF Debra L. Wentz, PhD President and CEO, New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc. Bergen New BridgeMedical Center and Chair of the New Jersey Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees; ReginaWiddows, MA, President and CEO, SERV Behavioral Health System, Inc. and NJAMHAA BoardMember; and Bob Gold, Founder and Chief Behavioral Technologist, GoMo Health®—will share practical strategies for preparing behavioral health organizations and professionals for the changes ahead. The first day will conclude with the very inspiring Diamond Courage & Compassion Awards: Looking Back with Gratitude, Looking Forward with Hope . The second day will begin with an equally important keynote presentation, TransformingMental Health Care: The Collaborative Care Model in Action , by Theresa Miskimen Rivera, MD, DLFAPA, President of the American Psychiatric Association. We will continue to commemorate our 75th anniversary during our Annual Membership Meeting, A Legacy of Impact , which will be held virtually on June 17, 2026. We are proud that we will be hosting Larry Levitt, Executive Vice President for Health Policy at KFF, for our keynote presentation about Medicaid in the past, present and future, and other programs in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In between these events will be our IT Conference, Empowering the Digital Future , which is important for all members, not just information technology-specific staff. It will be held onMay 7, 2026, at the FEA Conference Center inMonroe Township, NJ. NJAMHAA’s partnerships with all of you are immensely meaningful, productive and rewarding because our ongoing collaborative efforts result in ensuring access to all the critical services our members provide. Sincerely, Debra L. Wentz PhD President and CEO