The New Jersey Medicaid Academy (NJMA) is a professional development and leadership program for managers across New Jersey government agencies that administer Medicaid. This unique training opportunity was established to support New Jersey’s Medicaid leaders in strengthening their administration of the NJ FamilyCare program. NJMA is developed and led by expert faculty from the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS).

This cross-agency training program supports the goals of the New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) for improving innovations and efficiencies in the state’s Medicaid program. NJMA provides participants with an opportunity to:

• Refresh the basics of Medicaid and learn about emerging national Medicaid trends;
• Develop an understanding of innovative Medicaid program design, including approaches undertaken by other states;
• Provide a forum for cross-agency discussion about issues relevant to Medicaid; and
• Build critical management and leadership skills.

The program is open to managers in DMAHS, as well as the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, and other related state agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Children and Families, as well as county welfare agencies. Approximately 30-35 competitively selected managers participate in each eight-month program cohort. Participants in each cohort have the opportunity to develop new, meaningful relationships across New Jersey’s health and human services agencies and work together to continuously improve services for residents in the state served by Medicaid. Since the first class kicked off in mid-October 2015, roughly 90 managers have participated in three cohorts.