NNews-Spring-2022

9 October 2021 Counseling Services. She earned her Master of Philosophy degree with a specialization in Human Services fromWalden University and her Master of Science degree, also with a specialization in Human Services, from Capella University. NJAMHAANews: What new rewards are you experiencing as Executive Director? LizMeenan: It’s exciting to be part of such big change. The previous Executive Director served for five decades. After the intense pandemic, 2022 is a year to reset and regroup. It’s an exciting opportunity to pause a moment and see what we’re doing and how. This year is also the organization’s 60 th anniversary. We have much history in the community. We want to make sure that staff are engaged with the community and know the resources that are available. Late last year, we started participating with state police in the ARRIVE Together program, which was created by the Attorney General’s Office. Our staff go with state troopers on emergency calls to ensure that people in crisis receive the care they need and that they are not incarcerated. NJAMHAANews: What new challenges have you encountered? LizMeenan: We’re developing a new team and recently hired a new CFO and Medical Director. Thirty percent of our employees were hired since January 2021. We’re focused on engaging staff, supporting their professional development and minimizing burnout. Corey Richey, MS, Chief Executive Officer, Recovery Centers of America Corey Richey joined Recovery Centers of America (RCA) in October 2016 as Director of Admissions and Utilization Review. She was promoted to Interim CEO in November 2020 and became the permanent CEO in December 2021. Corey previously served as an Emergency Psychiatric Screener at Cape Counseling Services and Medical Case Manager at AtlantiCare and John Brooks Recovery Center. She earned her Master of Science degree in Psychology fromWalden University and Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The College of New Jersey. NJAMHAANews: How has your perspective changed as a CEO compared to your perspective in your previous roles? Corey Richey: I have a different perspective now, compared to my outlook in my previous role as Director of Admissions and Utilization Review. Now, I’m responsible for these areas and so much more, which gives me a unique perspective versus the urgency of the admissions director role. Now, I work with all departments and I see the clients’ journeys throughout and see the end results. I ensure people are stabilized during their admissions. Plus, I make sure treatment is individualized and high quality. NJAMHAANews: What agency and program growth and/or other changes do you envision for RCA? Corey Richey: We are aiming to provide more specialized care, especially in outpatient, which we currently have at two locations, Mays Landing and Voorhees. We’re ensuring that our inpatient specialized services are also available for outpatient clients to ensure cohesiveness of care. We also plan to expand trauma care, which will include a trauma support group for women, and to roll out more co-occurring disorders-based programs. RCA is increasing its focus on mental health treatment, and we are exploring serving individuals with primary diagnoses of mental illness and secondary diagnoses of substance use disorder. We are currently licensed only for treating individuals whose primary diagnoses are substance use disorder. Especially with the opioid crisis and co-occurring mental health disorders, it’s so important to treat everyone, regardless of which diagnosis is primary. Spring 202 NJAMHAA looks forward to featuringmore agency leaders in future issues. Please send staff updates to ShaunaMoses, Vice President, Public Affairs and Member Services, at smoses@ njamhaa.org .