NJAMHAA News Spring 2021

spring 2021 14 Industries Supporting Service Providers Vis it https://tinyurl.com/3j5fpxtb to w atch an introduction video about PsychU a nd https://www.psychu.org/about/ to view Ps ychU’s “About Us & Advisors” video. Education and Information Technology Councils Offer More Opportunities NJAMHAA also has an Education Council, which was established to close the gap between theory and practice in community behavioral health and to promote workforce development. This council is currently being restructured, and details will be revealed in the months to come. “As the behavioral healthcare field has been contending with staff shortages for years and these challenges have intensified during the pandemic, we find this is an opportune time to reconvene the Education Council after a hiatus. This vital group had focused on bridging the gap between conceptual education and the practical realities of delivering mental health and substance use disorder services and supports and on building the behavioral healthcare workforce. We are eager to reactivate our efforts to achieve these critical goals, as well as hear from the education field ideas on how we can best meet their needs,” Dr. Wentz said. NJAMHAA’s Information Technology Council (ITC) consists of companies that offer electronic health record systems, other software designed for health and human services agencies, telecommunications and other technology products and services. In addition to exhibiting at conferences, several ITC members give educational presentations on topics such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, electronic health records and compliance with privacy regulations. “We are pleased to offer many tools and resources to help our members enhance the effectiveness of the vital services they provide. The councils facilitate relationship building that ultimately helps strengthen New Jersey’s behavioral healthcare system,” Dr. Wentz said. Winter Councils Broaden Partnerships to [continued from page 13] NJAMHAA has always been in a leadership role and formed councils to bring participants together. Having exposure with these companies serves a great benefit for the membership. - Jim Lape, MA, MBA, FACHE, former NJAMHAA Board Chair and Former Vice President, Behavioral Health and Senior Services, Trinitas Regional Medical Center