The World Is Fortunate to Have Support from Social Workers

It is meaningful that World Social Work Day was on St. Patrick’s Day this year as the entire world is extremely fortunate to have support from social workers.

Social workers have always played a vital role in enabling individuals of all ages to cope with challenging situations, ranging from unstable housing and employment, to difficult family and other relationships, to chronic physical and behavioral health conditions. They are clinical experts, passionate advocates and, undoubtedly, essential members of the healthcare system.

The value social workers contribute to individuals’ quality of life and the health of entire communities has been even more profound during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals with mental illnesses and substance use disorders have experienced worsening conditions – and others have developed or may develop these health challenges – during this public health crisis.

NJAMHAA is proud to represent organizations that employ social workers, along with many other types of behavioral healthcare experts, all of whom demonstrate phenomenal support and unwavering dedication to New Jersey’s residents.

 

 

NJAMHAA and its IT Project Do Not Miss a Beat during Pandemic: Virtual Conferences Planned for October

As the pandemic required many services to be provided in a virtual environment, it also expanded the trend of online conferences and other training events. NJAMHAA and its Information Technology (IT) Project are keeping pace with all the changes affecting providers of behavioral healthcare services, and this includes presenting our annual conferences online. We are excited to continue our mission of strengthening providers’ abilities to deliver their life-saving services to everyone in need while ensuring the health and safety of all. 

We are working closely with Trusted Provider Network (TPN) to ensure that these events provide experiences that are just as complete and valuable as our previous in-person conferences. TPN offers a digital platform to connect behavioral health professionals, treatment facilities, hospitals and employee wellness programs throughout the nation.

As always, we have secured many experts on the critical topics that providers need to expand their knowledge about, and the tools and skills they need to serve individuals most effectively throughout the pandemic and long afterwards.

The IT Project’s Conference, No Fooling, IT is Critical!, will be held on October 21, 2020. This event is important for all staff, not just IT employees. For the keynote presentation, Converting Awareness into Action: It Begins with Culture, Daniel Eliot, Director of Education & Strategic Initiatives, National Cyber Security, will explain how to create more resilient organizations in the face of increased cyber-attacks, clarify misconceptions of cyber security, and share tips for engaging employees to convert awareness into action. 

NJAMHAA’s Annual Conference, Reimagining Health Care, will be held October 29-30, 2020, beginning with a fireside chat-type discussion about population and public health, with a focus on mental health, substance use disorders and social determinants of health with Leana S. Wen, MD, MSc, Visiting Professor of Health Policy and Management and Distinguished Fellow, Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University; and Theresa Wilson, MSW, LCSW, President and CEO of South Jersey Behavioral Health Resources, Executive Vice President, Inperium, Inc. and NJAMHAA Board Member. The second day will begin with a keynote presentation, The Behavioral Market: Disruption & Evolution, during which John Talbot, PhD, Senior Associate, OPEN MINDS, will discuss the rapidly changing behavioral healthcare environment and how providers can prepare for it.

Registrants for the NJAMHAA Annual Conference will be directed to become a TPN member, which is a terrific value because it connects individuals with providers across the country and membership is free for one year.

Both conferences will offer so much more! Visit www.njamhaa.org/events to access links for program details and to register, as well as information on valuable sponsorship, exhibiting and advertising opportunities.

 FY2021 Budget Must Support Increased Capacity for Behavioral Health Services

As critical decisions are being made to finalize Governor Murphy’s FY2021 budget, the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA) urgently requests your support to ensure full funding for mental healthcare and substance use treatment services.

Many of our state’s most vulnerable children and adults have been relying on these life-saving services for years and for many, the pandemic has increased their need for services due to exacerbated symptoms of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This is the result of social isolation, unemployment, the virus itself and concerns about their own and loved ones’ health and safety. In addition, many more individuals have needed services for the first time or are likely to need services in the near future.

The FY2021 budget must support increased capacity, so tens of thousands of New Jersey’s adults and children in need of services will not have to go untreated or seek treatment in emergency rooms, an inefficient and costly alternative. Adequate funding to avoid layoffs and program closures in the community-based behavioral health system is essential for a healthy New Jersey, as well as the health of the state’s bottom line.

The anticipated exponential increase in the demand for services underscores the critical need for funding to be not only sustained, but also increased, in the FY2021 State Budget. Please read more details in op-ed pieces I recently had published in the Star-Ledger and Philadelphia Inquirer, and an interview I had with ROI-NJ.

NJAMHAA’s Year of Advocacy Achievements further Highlighted with Award from the National Council for Behavioral Health

NJAMHAA’s recent Annual Membership Meeting was a celebration of NJAMHAA’s advocacy achievements and its members’ contributions. It was even more meaningful because shortly before the event, NJAMHAA learned that it was selected to receive the prestigious Advocacy Leadership Award for Organizational Excellence from the National Council for Behavioral Health. This recognition is a meaningful testament to the effectiveness of our efforts.

For example, our advocacy has led to the state's increased reimbursement rate for long-term residential substance use disorder treatment services, which went into effect on June 1, 2020, despite budgetary challenges; the federal government's extension and expansion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics; and relaxation of the state and federal governments’ telehealth regulations during the pandemic. We are advocating strongly for these regulatory changes to be permanent, as NJAMHAA members want to maintain the option of using them either in a hybrid model of in-person and virtual service delivery as per the needs of each organization. Telehealth has clearly increased access to services and it will be needed to meet the expected increased demand for services after the pandemic is declared to be over.

Many more examples of our impactful advocacy are highlighted in our FY2020 Annual Report: A Year Like No Other. Please click here to read this report and gain the details of how our work together is continually reinforcing New Jersey’s mental healthcare and substance use treatment system.

NJAMHAA President and CEO Calls to Stand Together to Promote Social Justice and Racial Equality

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

While as a society we have made progress toward equality, the brutal murder of George Floyd shows that despite the advancements, much more work is needed to eradicate injustice. In fact, this horrific incident of George Floyd’s death sets us back more than 50 years when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.

 

This incomprehensible tragedy and the intense reactions to it have resulted in an emotional rawness throughout our society. Many people are traumatized and rightfully so. The harrowing impact is further compounded as we are also struggling to cope with the distressing effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

NJAMHAA remains dedicated to helping people cope with these emotional difficulties and to fighting for justice and equity for all human beings regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, origin or gender. To level the playing field, we continuously advocate for equal access to all healthcare services and supports to address social determinants of health, which include housing, employment and access to education, transportation and health care. Our member providers offer a full continuum of services to meet all health and social needs.

To reach the very progress that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. espoused, we must -- and we will – stand strongly together to promote social justice and racial equality; oppose violence against our human brothers and sisters; and beseech all to display compassion and demonstrate understanding of and love for all others at all times.

Testament to Member Providers and Reinforcement of NJAMHAA's Support during the Pandemic and Beyond

While NJAMHAA members contend with multiple challenges year round, the current COVID-19 crisis far exceeds anything they previously encountered. Our members and their staff continue to inspire me – even more than they have over the years. I am truly awed by those on the frontlines and how they have been responding to this changed world and unprecedented crisis. All our members are staying in touch with their clients, whether it is through telephone, videoconferencing or in person at facilities or in the community.

All are demonstrating their dedication to serving the most vulnerable individuals and their families. They are working incredibly long hours, placing themselves at risk and making personal sacrifices – often without enough personal protective equipment (PPE), which is desperately needed to ensure safety. Not only is their physical health at risk, but also their mental health as their work can exact an emotional toll at any time and especially during this more intensely stressful and challenging time.

NJAMHAA knows how much of a challenge it has been to deliver services, remain solvent and address clients’ and staff’s fear and apprehension, which are normal reactions to an abnormal situation. The added stress of the coronavirus crisis is resulting in exacerbated mental illnesses, substance use disorders and trauma, making our members’ services and sustainability even more critical. NJAMHAA has taken the lead in advocating on the state and federal levels for funding, other resources including PPE and relaxation of telehealth and other regulations. NJAMHAA will continue to tackle these new challenges nonstop by advocating for, supporting and, most of all, applauding our members because they are our heroes.

I also applaud our own NJAMHAA staff members, who have been going far above and beyond to address members’ concerns and needs, which include technical assistance and support relating to policies, advocacy, information technology and other issues.

Doing everything we can and more to support members during the coronavirus crisis, NJAMHAA is already looking to the future and is exploring strategies to continually strengthen our association and our members. Always please remember that NJAMHAA, your trade association, is here for you during good times and not-so-good times!

NJAMHAA Keeps Everyone’s Health and Safety as Top Priority throughout Coronavirus Crisis

The COVID-19 news has dominated the news as of late. NJAMHAA, like so many of you, has been closely monitoring the situation and the implications at the local level.

As everyone’s health and safety are NJAMHAA’s top priority, we have postponed our conferences that were originally planned to take place in April.

The NJAMHAA IT Project Conference, No Fooling – IT is Critical!, scheduled for April 1st in Edison, NJ, has been postponed to June 2, 2020 and the NJAMHAA Annual Conference, Reimagining Health Care, which was scheduled for April 23^rd and 24^th, has been postponed to July 9^th and 10^th.

We will continue to monitor the situation; stay abreast of warnings and notices from our local, state and federal bureaus; and make adjustments for other events and meetings if deemed appropriate. 

The health and safety of our members and attendees are of the utmost importance, and we expect that you will listen to the advice of experts in the field. For example, remember to wash your hands often throughout the day. If you have a cold or are sneezing or coughing, please get some rest and recover at home.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance that you can read more about by going to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. 

 

Warmest wishes,

 

Debra L. Wentz
President and CEO, NJAMHAA   
609-838-5488, ext. 292
dwentz@njamhaa.org