Recovery Residences (continued) and her efforts to establish her association as a certification entity for recovery residences, which would be exempt from DCA requirements. She has discussed proposed legislation with Senator Joseph Vitale and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji. She and Alan Oberman, have also met with Drug Court, DHS Licensing, DMHAS and the Department of Children and Families, all of whom are supportive. Meeting attendees provided suggestions to strengthen the proposed legislation. Jennifer will incorporate this feedback into a revised proposed bill and send it to the Practice Group for additional feedback. Once the Practice Group agrees with the proposal, it will recommend to the NJAMHAA Board that the Board formally support the proposed legislation. Not specified Jennifer Hansen; then the Addictions Practice Group Getting the Focus Back on Addiction Licensing/Credentialing: Shauna Moses asked for more volunteers to participate on the workgroup, which will be led by Carolann Cavaiola. Healthcare Integration: It was noted that the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics may serve as substance use-focused behavioral health homes. Nadine Bennett, Audrey Carter and Sharon Green volunteered. A call will be scheduled soon. It was noted that NJAMHAA is advocating to DHS to involve NJAMHAA in the design of the 1115 waiver application, which DHS indicated could include substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in Institutions for Mental Disease. Before March 24, 2016 Ongoing Shauna Moses, Carolann Cavaiola Debra Wentz, NJAMHAA Board members State Budget Debra Wentz stated that advocacy is needed to help ensure that the $127 million for increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health and substance use services remains in the budget for this purpose. Advocacy should also highlight the need to preserve Medicaid revenues in the system for the Recovery Coach program expansion, reopening the facility to treat inmates with SUDs and to fund Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations; and the need for a Cost of Living Adjustment and an inflationary factor applied to Medicaid rates. Members are encouraged to testify at the legislative DHS budget hearings. [Details and links on the budget hearings were sent to members following this meeting] Members DISCUSSION ACTIONS AND OUTCOMES WHO IS RESPONSIBLE
AGENDA ITEMS Old and New Business Proposed New Rules for 42 CFR: Shauna noted that she will send links to the Legal Action Center’s response to these proposed new rules and asked for volunteers to write NJAMHAA’s response. Insurance Coverage for Detox: Clarification on this issue and the proposed recommendation to the Board was requested. A question was raised if it would be realistic to propose a law to carve out one service when the State is moving to managed care. It was explained that the issue primarily relates to commercial insurance and it is an important parity issue. New Jersey Substance Abuse Monitoring System (NJ SAMS): A member from an agency that does not receive State funding shared a concern about being required to enter clients’ data in NJ SAMS. Attendees provided suggestions to seek a waiver from DHS Licensing. John Brooks Recovery Center (JBRC): Alan announced that JBRC will not be closing its residential services facility although funding was not provided by the State. He noted the increased Medicaid rates helped prevent the closing and the Casino Reinvestment Authority deadline was extended. JBRC is seeking commercial financing and plans to relocate its outpatient programs, admissions, administration and medical services in early May. [The links and request for volunteers were sent to all Practice Group members following this meeting.] It was agreed that this topic will be included in the discussion on parity with Aaron Kucharski from NCADD-NJ at the next Practice Group meeting. N/A N/A The response is due April 11, 2016. May 12, 2016 N/A N/A Shauna Moses Members with Aaron Kucharski N/A N/A Annual Conference Debra Wentz highlighted presentations of interest to the group. Shauna noted that several SUD providers will receive Courage & Compassion awards the first evening of the conference. [Details were sent following this meeting.] Click to register if you have not yet done so. The conference will be April 13-14, 2016 at the in Iselin, NJ. Members and NJAMHAA staff