NJAMHAA News Winter 2023

13 Winter 2023 The New Jersey Mental Health Institute (NJMHI) launched its Leadership Academy for Behavioral Healthcare Professionals in October 2022 and is gearing up for the second cohort to begin this year-long program in September 2023. The Academy presents opportunities for emerging leaders in all positions — clinical, administrative, information technology, legal, finance, human resources, etc. — in mental health, substance use disorder (SUD), intellectual/disabilities and other social services organizations. While building their skills for future leadership roles, mentees will also contribute to their This year-long program is extremely cost-effective. The fee for mentees from NJAMHAAmember agencies is only $950. Employers pay this fee for their staff. “ Working with my mentor to develop strategies to improve how we care for patients and each other is so beneficial. My coach has given me insightful suggestions for navigating challenges.” Adiba Saleem, LCSW Team Leader, Adult Intervention Services AtlantiCare “ The Leadership Academy is a very rich program and I encourage everyone to speak up about the path they want to follow.” BeckyWong, PharmD, MBA, RPh Leadership Academy Mentor NJMHI Board Member Clinical &Scientific Director Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. Mentors’ and coaches’ expertise are needed to help reinforce the behavioral healthcare system and ensure organizations’ enduring ability to serve the increasing number of individuals in need. NJMHI Leadership Academy Creates Career Paths for all Professionals in the Behavioral Healthcare Field NJMHI also Seeks Mentors and Coaches “Mentors have walked inmentees’ shoes in some way, shape or form. They have worked andmay still be working in the same field as thementees,” explained Cheryl Marks Young, MAS, PCC, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Creative Blueprints for Leaders, who is amentor for this programand hasmany years of experience as both amentor and a coach. “Coaches are not experts in the same field as thementors. However, they are experts in howmentees should proceed inworking toward their goals,” according toMarks Young, who also serves as the Treasurer of the NJMHI Board of Trustees. “ “ For additional details and applications to participate asmentees, mentors or coaches, please contact ShaunaMoses, Vice President, Public Affairs andMember Services, at smoses@njamhaa.org . Applications and payments are due May 15, 2023 for the September 2023 cohort. The expertise of leaders from the behavioral healthcare field and other industries is needed to provide the foundation for mentees to advance in their careers and to build the management workforce the behavioral healthcare field needs in all areas: clinical, administrative, information technology, legal, finance, human resources, etc. Preparation for individuals’ future roles and strengthening of the behavioral healthcare workforce are especially critical as the field has been experiencing a recruitment and retention crisis, yet the demand for services continues to significantly increase. Attention: Executives of Behavioral Healthcare Organizations Please encourage your staff to apply to be mentees! For the low cost of $950 per employee at NJAMHAAmember agencies and $3,000 for nonmembers for this year-long program , you will bemaking an extremely important investment not only in your staff, but also in your organizations by improving staff retention through the creation of career paths! organizations’ long-term sustainability and improve the quality and consistency of services to the individuals served.