NJAMHAA News Winter 2022

October 2021 16 AlissaWilliams, Clinical Case Manager, Preferred Behavioral Health Group, Ocean County ICMS Team During the pandemic, Alissa sought opportunities to meet with residential facilities’ owners and operators and advocated strongly on behalf of residential clients whose rights were allegedly violated. She also focused on the impact of isolation on consumers’ well-being in her advocacy. In addition, Alissa has demonstrated the ability to pivot very quickly during the constant changes in service delivery as a result of the pandemic. Jennifer Litkenhaus, ICMS Team Lead/Case Manager, Easterseals NJ, Somerset andHunterdon Counties ICMS Team Jennifer is mission-driven and phenomenally dedicated to the individuals she serves. She encourages her consumers to persevere through challenges to achieve their health- related and other goals. Jennifer builds a strong relationship with every client and creates opportunities for strengthening their well-being and developing in other meaningful ways. She also constantly explores innovative ways to enhance her work to empower individuals to reach even more positive outcomes. Jennifer McElroy, MA, Senior Clinician, Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services, Sussex County ICMS Team Jennifer demonstrates tremendous commitment and provides stellar service. Her dedication has been particularly evident when the transition from contracts to fee-for-service reimbursement, declining resources and the pandemic have challenged ICMS workers like never before. Jennifer has taken the initiative to evaluate procedures, and develop and promote improvements. As an active member on NJAMHAA’s ICMS Practice Group, she is contributing substantially to advocacy for more relevant ICMS regulations. Junia Nicolas, Case Manager, Mount Carmel Guild Behavioral Health, Union County ICMS Team Junia is the only Creole speaking staff person in the program and provides translation and advocacy for Haitian individuals. She handles the most complicated situations with strength and patience to ensure that all clients’ needs are thoroughly addressed. For example, during the height of the pandemic last year, Junia gathered food from a pantry and her church during her days off and delivered it to her clients. NJAMHAA and NJAICM look forward to recognizing more ICMS workers at future conferences. Caroline Pazmino, CaseManager, CarePlus New Jersey, Bergen County ICMS Team Caroline is an extremely compassionate and skillful case manager. She enthusiastically works with all of her clients and colleagues, and she frequently offers to assist with training new staff. Throughout the pandemic, Caroline has continued to go above and beyond to reliably prioritize client care and program operations. Always highly motivated and eager to grow, Caroline will receive her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling this spring. AlfredoMontero, CaseManager, Oaks Integrated Care, Mercer County ICMS Team Alfredo has been a Case Manager for more than 23 years, has been involved in the mental health field for more than 28 years, and has experience working with adults and children. He has enabled many individuals to secure stable housing, connect with medical providers and obtain financial assistance. In addition to being dedicated to his clients, Alfredo has had a positive influence on his co-workers. win er 2022 [continued from page 15]