Ann Marie Zihal as an Expert Panelist for the National Council’s white paper outlining the Role of CCBHCs in Crisis Services and Systems
In this post, we spotlight Ann Marie Zihal, Senior Vice President of CCBHC Strategies & Innovation at Care Plus NJ. As an expert panelist for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s white paper on Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and crisis services, her insights have been invaluable. Ann Marie’s dedication to enhancing Behavioral Health systems at both local and national levels is evident in her impactful work on this white paper.
Highlights:
Ann Marie Zihal’s Contribution to a National White Paper
Serving as an expert panelist for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s white paper that outlines the Role of CCBHCs in Crisis Services and Systems, she helped inform national recommendations for crisis response.
Transforming Behavioral Health Care as a CCBHC
What sets Care Plus NJ apart is its commitment to personalized care. Services are thoughtfully integrated and tailored to meet the unique needs, preferences, and goals of each individual and their family. This client-focused approach guarantees compassionate support every step of the way, empowering clients to navigate their journey toward wellness.
Care Plus NJ is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) offering comprehensive behavioral health services through integration of Behavioral Health, substance use, and primary care services. As part of a national network of CCBHCs, Care Plus NJ is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care tailored to each individual’s unique needs.
What sets Care Plus NJ apart is its wide range of evidence-based services designed to meet the specific needs of the community. Care Plus NJ offers over nine core services, including client-focused care, crisis intervention, primary care screenings, assessment and diagnoses, psychiatric rehabilitation services, outpatient behavioral health and substance use services, case management, peer support, and comprehensive Behavioral Health care for veterans.
Certified community behavioral health services are available to all, regardless of diagnosis, location, or ability to pay. Care Plus New Jersey accepts all major third party payors, including medicaid services.
By focusing on personalized treatment, the Care Plus NJ team works closely with individuals to create recovery and wellness plans that foster long-term success. Their CCBHC standing has enabled them to expand services and increase access to care for those with serious mental illness, further solidifying their role as a leader in the field of behavioral health.
Through its work, Care Plus NJ continues to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by Behavioral Health challenges, staying true to its mission of providing compassionate, high-quality care to those who need it most.
- Crisis Services
- Screening Diagnosis
- Risk Assessment
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services
- Outpatient Primary Care Screening and Monitoring
- Targeted Case Management
- Peer Support
- Family Support & Counselor Services
- Community-Based Behavioral Health Care for Veterans and Veterans Peer Family Support
- Person & Family-Centered Treatment Planning
- Outpatient Behavioral Health & Substance Use Services
Crisis Services of the Future
At Care Plus NJ, integrated and compassionate care is at the heart of everything we do. By delivering client-focused services, Care Plus NJ ensures that individuals in crisis receive both immediate and long-term support, ultimately leading to better, more sustainable health outcomes.
Ann Marie’s work at Care Plus NJ and her contributions to the national white paper are shaping the future of crisis intervention strategies and policies. She’s advocating the role of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in individualforming Behavioral Health services, paving the way for a more comprehensive, available approach to care.
Meet Ann Marie Zihal
Ann Marie Zihal, MS, LMFT, LPC, ACS, is Senior Vice President of CCBHC Strategies and Innovation at Care Plus NJ. She has spent her career providing, managing, and developing behavioral health services.
Ann Marie has joined the national dialogue on individualforming a Behavioral Health and substance use disorders model of care.
She interviewed for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s CCBHC vision paper (A Vision for the Future of Behavioral health Care), and served as an expert panelist on the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s white paper, The Role of CCBHCs in Crisis Services and Systems, which lays the foundation for how CCBHCs can change the Behavioral Health crisis response system.
She has developed comprehensive behavioral health care models at Care Plus New Jersey, including the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. With over 20 years in behavioral health, Ann Marie Zihal has played a pivotal role in redefining Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) on national platforms. She has developed comprehensive behavioral health care models, including the CCBHC model, and her policy work focuses on improving Behavioral Health services for individuals facing serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbances, and substance use disordersand veteran care.
The Importance of the White Paper
This white paper details how Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) can lead the way in delivering crisis services. With the growing demand for Behavioral Health and substance use disorder services, especially during crises, CCBHCs are emerging as the preferred providers, offering integrated and client-focused care..
Ann Marie Zihal’s work on this document showcases her unique ability to bridge local community initiatives with national policy. Her contributions ensured that the paper accurately reflects the clinical and operational strengths of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) while highlighting their vital role in creating more available, fair, and responsive crisis care systems.
Ann Marie Zihal at Care Plus NJ
In addition to the white paper, Ann Marie Zihal has led many of Care Plus NJ’s innovative programs, including CCBHC initiatives. Care Plus NJ is a state-designated CCBHC and has been a leader in crisis response and Behavioral Health services.
The Bigger Picture for Behavioral Health Crisis Services
The role of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics like Care Plus NJ in the Behavioral Health has never been more important. As stated in the white paper, CCBHCs are best positioned to lead in health crisis services because of their full service, integrated care models that systematically address Behavioral Health, substance use, and physical health. These clinics are the foundation of community Behavioral Health, providing crisis intervention to long term support to individuals and families.
Ann Marie Zihal’s work on CCBHCs will ensure this model continues to grow to meet the needs of communities across the country. Her focus on crisis response at Care Plus NJ shows the importance of available, whole person cares for individuals in crisis.
In recognition of her leadership, Ann Marie Zihal is making big strides in helping communities navigate the Behavioral Health system. Through her work at Care Plus NJ and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, she will continue to representative for crisis services and a better, more compassionate world for all individuals in need of Behavioral Health care.
Conclusion
Ann Marie Zihal’s work is changing the face of Behavioral Health care at Care Plus NJ. It’s the role of CCBHCs to support individuals in crisis and beyond. By integrating Care Plus NJ’s crisis services with national guidelines helps the community get available compassionate Behavioral Health care in crisis helps Care Plus NJ and the community it serves. Ann Marie and Care Plus NJ are building the future of crisis response and Behavioral Health care in the community.
Sources
https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/resources/role-of-ccbhcs-in-health-crisis-services
