NNews March 2026

March 2026 9 NJAMHAA’s Expert Partners Share Advice for Copingwith Impending Medicaid Cuts continued frompage 8 Technology Infrastructure Must Be Strengthened to Meet All Care Goals A s bothWilliams and Duck highlighted the importance of sharing data, the conversation with Duck also focused on technology. “Providersmust becomemore data driven and need a clear understanding of what they are trying to achieve andwhy. Many organizations have undervalued data, what it can tell you froma strategic and scenario planning perspective,” Duck stated. He added that many providers lack organized data. “There ismuch fragmentation of data – for example, many usemultiple systems that aren’t integrated or even interfaced. Much work is also needed in cybersecurity and compliance,” he added. When asked about the greatest barriers to behavioral healthcare providers’ adoption and implementation of technology, Duck said, “It’s not necessarily resistance. Some organizations jump ahead before it’s authorized.” He shared the example of Practice Groups and Councils Details &Sign-up Sheet In addition, OPENMINDS , NJAMHAA andmember organizations, which include HMA and technology companies (see page 26 fo r some details on these businesses) host webinars and conferences throughout the year. NJAMHAA shares details on its website and in the triweekly Newswire . www.njamha.org/ links/!FY26MemMtg- PGInfo-u.pdf Support Is Always Available NJAMHAA, HMA, OPENMINDS and other organizations offer a variety of resources, tools and partnership opportunities. NJAMHAA’s practice groups and councils offer excellent opportunities for networking and information sharing, which could lead to meaningful partnerships. For example, the Hospital Community Integration Council was designed specifically to foster collaboration between these different types of provider organizations. The Addictions, Adult Mental Health, Children’s, Nursing and Residential Providers Practice Groups focus on issues specific to each of these types of providers, as well as cross-cutting issues. For details and a convenient sign-up sheet, visit the link below or scan the QR code. clinicians recording sessions on their phones and uploading the transcribed therapy session to ChatGPT, which is a “huge violation” of confidentiality laws, rather than taking the time to learn more about artificial intelligence (AI) and fully investigate tools that align with laws and regulations. Duck advised, “Start with a pain killer, not a vitamin. Address your pain points. Clinicians’ burnout is at the top of the list.” AI tools offer much return on investment (ROI), such as prescribing and documentation, that offers a lot of ROI specifically in less stress and burnout, he explained. Small service providers do not have the infrastructure like hospitals and health systems do, andmany organizations do not have policies and procedures, which are critically important. OPENMINDS has a free AI PolicyManual for Behavioral Health Provider Organizations (use the link below). www.njamha.org/links/ boardmeetings/OPEN- MINDS_Sample-Provider- Organization-AI-Policies.pdf AI PolicyManual