NJAMHAA 75th Anniversary

Commemorative Journal 43 I n early 2026, NJAMHAA launched a Nursing Practice Group to strengthen integration and collaboration, and bolster advocacy for nurses throughout the behavioral healthcare system. In addition to working closely with providers throughout the membership, NJAMHAA further supports these service organizations by establishing relationships with external entities, including educational institutions and other industries whose services and/or products help enhance providers’ efficiency and effectiveness. The Education Council fosters collaboration between institutions of higher education and behavioral healthcare providers to expand and strengthen the workforce, including maximizing the value of internships for the students, provider organizations and individuals they serve and developing a pipeline for diverse practitioners. The Integrated Healthcare Council is comprised of businesses that offer a variety of products and services, such as diagnostic testing and expert consultation on policy and operational issues, to help strengthen providers’ effectiveness and long-term viability. This group also includes health maintenance organizations (HMOs), which participate in the HMO Council along with providers and state government representatives to enhance understanding and communications between HMOs and behavioral healthcare providers, and ensure prompt delivery of integrated behavioral and primary healthcare services in the new Medicaid Managed Care system. The Life Sciences and Innovation Council (LSIC) serves as a noncompetitive forum to share ideas and information among pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, as well as providers and state representatives, and to develop and implement strategies for addressing challenges that affect individuals’ access to medications and all types of treatment and services that enhance recovery. Members of the LSIC have also been active on the HMO Council, and several HMO representatives began participating in LSIC meetings, which further fosters communication and problem solving on critical issues, such as authorizations for medications. The Technology Council members offer tools and assistance with cybersecurity; electronic health record systems and telecommunications; and innovative software that enables providers to ensure compliance and maximize their efficiency and effectiveness. NJAMHAA’s partnerships with technology companies and the state have enabled providers to make important advances in the use of computer- based tools; understanding of and compliance with confidentiality laws and regulations; awareness of technology-funding opportunities and, therefore, the ability to pursue them; strengthening cybersecurity; and enhancing the quality of their services through strategic and ethical use of artificial intelligence and other newer technologies. Always Responsive to Members’ Needs PRACTICE GROUPS • Addictions Practice Group • Adult Mental Health Practice Group • Chief Financial Officers’ Practice Group • Children’s Practice Group and its School-Based Subcommittee • Integrated Case Management Services Practice Group • Programs in Assertive Community Treatment Practice Group • Nursing Practice Group • Residential Providers Practice Group IT Project’s Practice Groups • Billing Supervisors Practice Group • Human Resources Practice Group • IT Professional Advisory Committee • Quality Assurance/Compliance Practice Group COUNCILS • Education Council • Health Maintenance Organization Council • Hospital Community Integration Council • Life Sciences & Innovation Council Thank you to our Board of Directors for their Work on Behalf of NJAMHAA • Board and Membership Meetings • Executive Committee • Finance and Compliance Committee • Governance Committee NJAMHAA’s Advocacy Is Impactful Thanks to Members’ Input! All members are strongly encouraged to participate in practice groups and councils to share challenges, concerns, questions, experiences and successes — all which inform NJAMHAA’s advocacy and maximize its effectiveness. All of these groups also provide valuable networking and learning opportunities.