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 CarePlus New Jersey. 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 mental 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 CarePlus 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 person-centered approach guarantees compassionate support every step of the way, empowering clients to navigate their journey toward wellness.
CarePlus New Jersey is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) offering comprehensive behavioral health services through integration of mental health, substance use, and primary care services. As part of a national network of CCBHCs, CarePlus is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care tailored to each individual’s unique needs.
What sets CarePlus apart is its wide range of evidence-based services designed to meet the specific needs of the community. CarePlus offers over nine core services, including person-centered 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 mental 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 CarePlus team works closely with individuals to create recovery and wellness plans that foster long-term success. Their CCBHC status 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, CarePlus continues to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental 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 Mental Health Care for Veterans and Veterans Peer Family Support
- Person & Family-Centered Treatment Planning
- Outpatient Mental Health & Substance Use Services
Crisis Services of the Future
At CarePlus New Jersey, integrated and compassionate care is at the heart of everything we do. By delivering person-centered services, CarePlus 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 CarePlus New Jersey 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 transforming mental health services, paving the way for a more comprehensive, accessible approach to care.
Meet Ann Marie Zihal
Ann Marie Zihal, MS, LMFT, LPC, ACS, is Senior Vice President of CCBHC Strategies and Innovation at CarePlus New Jersey. She has spent her career providing, managing, and developing behavioral health services.
Ann Marie has joined the national dialogue on transforming a mental 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 mental 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 mental 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 mental health and substance use disorder services, especially during crises, CCBHCs are emerging as the preferred providers, offering integrated and person-centered 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 accessible, equitable, and responsive crisis care systems.
Ann Marie Zihal at CarePlus New Jersey
In addition to the white paper, Ann Marie Zihal has led many of CarePlus New Jersey’s innovative programs, including CCBHC initiatives. CarePlus New Jersey is a state-designated CCBHC and has been a leader in crisis response and mental health services.
The Bigger Picture for Mental Health Crisis Services
The role of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics like CarePlus New Jersey in the mental 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 mental health, substance use, and physical health. These clinics are the foundation of community mental 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 CarePlus New Jersey shows the importance of accessible, whole person cares for individuals in crisis.
In recognition of her leadership, Ann Marie Zihal is making big strides in helping communities navigate the mental health system. Through her work at CarePlus NJ and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, she will continue to advocate for crisis services and a better, more compassionate world for all individuals in need of mental health care.
Conclusion
Ann Marie Zihal’s work is changing the face of mental health care at CarePlus NJ. It’s the role of CCBHCs to support individuals in crisis and beyond. By integrating CarePlus New Jersey’s crisis services with national guidelines helps the community get accessible compassionate mental health care in crisis helps CarePlus NJ and the community it serves. Ann Marie and CarePlus New Jersey are building the future of crisis response and mental health care in the community.
Sources
https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/resources/role-of-ccbhcs-in-health-crisis-services
CarePlus NJ, INC. is dedicated to excellence in mental healthcare and has a commitment to life-long support needed by individuals and their families to ensure that they achieve their full potential and improve the quality of their lives.
