he New Jersey Mental Health Institute (NJMHI) launched the Leadership Academy for Behavioral Healthcare Professionals in October 2022 to present opportunities for aspiring leaders in the mental healthcare, substance use disorder (SUD) and intellectual/ developmental disabilities (I/DD) services fields to build the management skills that organizations and these fields need, as well as the foundation for them to advance in their careers and succeed in future leadership positions. 

Participation in this cost-effective, year-long program will also help improve staff retention, which will reinforce behavioral healthcare organizations' long-term viability, and improve the quality and consistency of services. These benefits are especially critical as the field has been experiencing a workforce crisis and the demand for services continues to increase. This program helps address the crisis by encouraging staff to continue working in the behavioral healthcare system — in positions that will enable them to further expand and strengthen agencies and the entire workforce while continuing their advancement in these fields.

The Leadership Academy is open to mentees and mentors who are working (and, in the case of some mentors, have worked) in any aspects of the behavioral healthcare field, including clinical, administrative, legal, finance, human resources and information technology. It is also open to coaches in other industries whose different expertise and experience add to the value of this program.

“This program is very timely for my career and with changes at my agency. I’m learning how to best respond to new expectations and working honing my skills to achieve key performance indicators. I’m receiving so much support for self-exploration and continued growth.” 

Paulina Dutton, LAC

2024-2025 Leadership Academy Mentee

Community Relations and Resource Development Director

Circle of Care for Families and Children of Passaic County, Inc.

"I walk out of each meeting feeling positive, empowered and capable. This will translate into me becoming an effective leader now and down the road.” 

Suzanne Grell

2024-2025 Leadership Academy Mentee

Quality Improvement Manager

MonmouthCares

“Coaching is shaping how I think about how we’re rolling out new policies and practices at our organization and how I interact with my direct reports.” 

Jessie Wasserman, LCSW

2024-2025 Leadership Academy Mentee

Senior Director of Clinical Operations

Circle of Care for Families and Children of Passaic County, Inc.

The fourth cohort will begin in September 2025. Applications are due August 15, 2025.

Mentee Fact Sheet          Mentee Application

Mentor Fact Sheet          Mentor Application

Coach Fact Sheet           Coach Application

For additional information, please write to Shauna Moses at smoses@njamhaa.org.