NJAMHAA Providers
Manage Challenges of Meeting Increasing Demand and Systemic Changes
While striving to meet the increasing demand for mental
health care, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and support services, such
as housing, education and supported employment, NJAMHAA’s member providers are also
focused on the changing environment and trying to make their business models
work. These are two tremendous challenges, considering the staggering prevalence
of mental illnesses and SUDs – which affect not only the individuals with these
disorders, but also their loved ones, in their everyday lives – and the large-scale
changes taking place in Medicaid and other aspects of the behavioral health
system. This inspires me to continually advocate for an external environment in
which providers are well reimbursed so there is unimpeded access to care
whenever and wherever children and adults need it.
While we are busy advocating for sufficient funds to
overcome barriers and create an environment that ensures access, we also provide
technical assistance, training and information to help members transition
through systemic changes. For example, last year, many programs’ reimbursement
was changed from contracts to fee-for-service and while members continue to
adjust to the inherent challenges, they need to prepare for the upcoming
transition to value-based purchasing of services.
At the same time that we help prepare providers for these
changes that affect fiscal and other aspects of business operations, we focus
on making sure that they are delivering the highest level of care through
evidence based practices. We give them tools to help people most effectively.
For example, Alberta Montano-DiFabio, ScD, LCADC, CCS, CCJS, a long-time expert
in providing trauma-informed SUD treatment and President of Crowning
Achievements LLC in South Jersey, recently delivered a deeply informative and
engaging presentation on trauma-informed care to our Adult Mental Health
Practice Group.
There is no shortage of trauma, which is a major factor in
the development of mental illnesses and SUDs. Dr. Montano-DiFabio underscored
how important it is for providers to really understand each person they are
serving, focus on each client’s strengths and develop truly individualized
treatment plans. She also identified these principles for providing
trauma-informed care: physical and psychological safety for staff and clients;
trustworthiness and transparency; peer support and mutual self-help;
collaboration; empowerment of clients’ voices and abilities; and recognition of
cultural and gender issues.
Trauma-informed care is one example of the high-quality
services that NJAMHAA providers deliver. We help them receive training on the
most advanced clinical models and advocate for sufficient funding and other
external environmental factors to ensure they can provide the most effective
services and enable all children and adults to achieve life-enhancing health
outcomes.
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