NJAMHAA News Winter 2023

5 Winter 2023 Dr. Chalakani: I have a multi-focused lens because my background is so diverse. I can offer different perspectives from having worked in different fields, including several roles here at PBHG, which gives me the perspective of being those “boots on the ground.” I look forward to connecting with other leaders in the state and brainstorming to make the care we provide more meaningful across the board. ReginaWiddows NJAMHAANews: What is your background and what inspired you to join the behavioral healthcare (BH) and intellectual/ developmental disabilities (I/DD) fields? ReginaWiddows: I have committed my entire career to work within the BH and I/DD fields. I earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and have worked in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, crisis response centers, outpatient counseling, I/DD residential programs and administration. I have always had a passion for helping others and assisting them in meeting their full potential. No work is as rewarding as helping someone when they are going through a hard time and providing support to those in need. NJAMHAANews: What are your thoughts about NJAMHAA, including its present and future accomplishments and potential? ReginaWiddows: NJAMHAA has worked tirelessly to strengthen New Jersey’s behavioral health system. They provide relevant, timely information to ensure providers are kept up-to-date within the behavioral health environment. NJAMHAA will be at the forefront as new challenges are presented to providers. They always strive to assist providers and the consumers they serve. NJAMHAANews: How do you feel about being elected to the NJAMHAA Board? ReginaWiddows: I am humbled and honored to have been elected to the NJAMHAA Board. The issues that providers are facing today threaten the sustainability of many programs and services that are vital to individuals within the community. Serving on the NJAMHAA Boardwill amplify the collective voice of the providers and ensure that decisions are not made without consideration of the provider perspective and input as to how it might affect the overall delivery of services. NJAMHAANews: How do you see your experience and expertise benefiting the trade organization, its members, and the individuals they serve? ReginaWiddows: I have worked in diverse environments, including national behavioral health systems, for-profit health systems, juvenile justice, and substance use disorder treatment centers. I have experience in the full continuum of behavioral healthcare and I/DD services. I have worked in healthcare systems that have transitioned into managed care funding, and have vast experience with the revenue systemmanagement processes that need to be put in place in order for organizations to be successful. I am passionate about leveraging data and technology to advance the field of behavioral health, and utilizing precise outcome measures to gauge progress. Elsa Candelario NJAMHAANews: What is your background? What led you to pursue a behavioral health career and a DSWdegree? Elsa Candelario: After attaining a BA in psychology and communications fromRutgers, my path into the helping professions became clear and I went on to obtain an MSW. Upon graduation, I worked in the Bronx with various populations: families affected by substance use disorders, persons livingwithHIV, and older adults. I then became a nonprofit administrator in NewYork andNew Jersey with a focus on low-income and Latinx communities for more than 25 years and after a significant and fulfilling nonprofit career, in 2020, I joined the faculty at Rutgers University School of Social Work (Rutgers SSW) as a Professor of Professional Practice and became Director of the LISTA Certificate Program for MSWstudents in 2021. I am also involved in private practice and am pursuing a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) with a focus on organizational leadership. (Continued on page 6)