2026 ICMS Conference

8:30 – 9:15 AM | Registration, Breakfast and Networking

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM | Welcome

Dr. Debra L. Wentz is President and CEO of NJAMHAA and Executive Director of its 501(c)(3) affiliate, the New Jersey Mental Health Institute (NJMHI). She is dedicated to improving lives by transforming perceptions of mental health and addiction among government officials, corporate leaders, the media, and the public through innovative advocacy, communications, and education.
Under her leadership, NJAMHAA received the Advocacy Leadership Award for Organizational Excellence from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in 2020. Dr. Wentz has been honored with numerous state and national awards for her contributions.

A recognized expert in mental health and substance use issues, she is frequently featured and cited in the media. Dr. Wentz serves on multiple state and national boards and committees, including as Chair of the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma and member of the New Jersey Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund Advisory Council.

Her academic achievements include a doctoral degree from the University of Paris, France; a second PhD and an MA from the University of Connecticut; an Executive MBA from the Wharton Business School’s Alternative Careers Program at the University of Pennsylvania; and a BA from Goucher College.

Renee Carrillo, MS, is a Director at Oaks Integrated Care overseeing the Burlington and Mercer County Integrated Case Management Services (ICMS) Programs, as well as the Senior Well Being Program in Camden and Mercer Counties. She also serves as Co-Chair of NJAMHAA’s ICMS Practice Group.

Previously, Renee managed the Justice Involved Services Programs across Burlington, Camden, and Mercer Counties. She began her mental health career in 2000 as an ICMS case manager at Family Services of Burlington County (now Oaks Integrated Care), working with adults living with mental illness.

Renee holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers University (1999) and earned her Master’s degree in Psychiatric Rehabilitation with a Leadership Track from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 2010. She also serves as a liaison to law enforcement for her agency and was named Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Provider of the Year in 2022.

Laurie DeSimone-Celuch, LPC, LCADC, ACS, CCS, serves as the Associate Vice President of Crisis and Community Services at CarePlus NJ and Co-Chair of the NJAMHAA ICMS Practice Group. She currently oversees programs that provide case management and clinical services to adults and youth across northern New Jersey.

Laurie earned her Bachelor's degree from Rutgers College and holds Master's degrees from both John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Monmouth University. With over 15 years of experience in direct service and leadership roles within mental health and addiction treatment provider agencies, she is a licensed practitioner and clinical supervisor dedicated to fostering strong teams and delivering high-quality care.

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM | Opening Remarks

Speakers:

David Helfand is the Assistant Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and serves as the Single State Agency (SSA) for substance use and the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA) as designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. DMHAS is responsible for the coordination, administration, management and supervision of the community public mental health system, and is also responsible for planning and monitoring funding for programs serving adults, and their family members, with substance use disorders, mental illness or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

David began his career working for community-based non profit agencies and then joined state service in 2000 as a social worker at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital. In 2007, and over the years, David served as Program Analyst, Regional Coordinator and Assistant Director overseeing the Office of Community Services and the Division’s regional offices statewide. In July 2024, David had served as the Deputy Assistant Commissioner overseeing the mental health and substance use disorder fee for service units, the Disaster and Terrorism Branch and the Office of Community Services.

David received his Master’s of Science in Psychiatric Rehabilitation from the Rutgers School of Health Related Professions (formerly UMDNJ).

Dr. Robert Eilers is Board-certified in adult psychiatry with subspecialty certification in administrative psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. He is also an adjunct professor at Drexel University School of Medicine, where he teaches a course on scientific writing and the interpretation of the medical literature. He had received his MD from Thomas Jefferson College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, and his MPH degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.

Angela Wairimu (pronounced WHY-REE-MO) serves as the ICMS Coordinator for the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. She brings over five years of experience as a Program Analyst in the Northern Region Office of the Office of Community Services, where she worked closely with ICMS teams across multiple counties. Angela currently also serves as the Program Analyst for Middlesex County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kean University (2009). Known for her dedication and passion for making a difference, Angela is excited to continue collaborating with ICMS teams across the state.

9:45 – 10:30 AM | Keynote Address

Staying Effective without Burning Out: Resilience Skills for Integrated Case Management Professionals

Dr. Michael Wiltsey is a clinical and forensic psychologist in private practice. He is also a retired law enforcement officer where he became highly involved with the New Jersey Resiliency Program for Law Enforcement, a statewide training program promoting resilience and wellness concepts. Dr. Wiltsey is a trainer, facilitator, and speaker on mental health wellness, resiliency, and positive psychology.

Description: This interactive session will examine the unique workplace stressors faced by Integratred Case Management Services (ICMS) professionals and explores practical, evidence-based strategies for building resilience. Participants will gain a better understanding of burnout, compassion fatigue, and stress while learning skills to enhance well-being, maintain professional effectiveness, and promote long-term career sustainability.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, participants will be able to:

Identify the signs and symptoms of occupational stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout, and explain their impact on professional effectiveness and personal well-being.
Analyze the workplace stressors unique to Integrated Case Management Services (ICMS) professionals and their effects on resilience, job performance, and career sustainability.
Apply evidence-based resilience strategies to improve emotional regulation, strengthen decision-making, and enhance recovery from workplace stress.

10:30 – 10:45 AM | Break and Vendor Browsing

10:45 – 11:45 AM | Morning Session

Session A: Motivational Interviewing in Case Management: Strengthening Engagement, Collaboration, and Motivation for Change

Stephanie Marcello, PhD, provides executive leadership for the Behavioral Research and Training Institute (BRTI) at Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC), overseeing statewide and national initiatives that strengthen the behavioral health workforce through training, consultation, implementation, and systems transformation. She also serves as Chief Psychologist for UBHC, Director of the APA-accredited Psychology Internship Program, and Chair of UBHC's Trauma-Informed Care Committee.

Dr. Marcello is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy through the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). She is recognized for her expertise in workforce development, implementation of evidence-based practices, integrated behavioral health, trauma-informed systems, motivational interviewing, and implementation science. She has led numerous federally funded initiatives, developed large-scale training and implementation programs, authored peer-reviewed publications, and presented nationally on behavioral health workforce development and integrated care. Her work focuses on translating evidence into practice to improve behavioral health systems, expand workforce capacity, and enhance access to high-quality care. Dr. Marcello earned her PhD from Temple University and completed her predoctoral internship at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital and postdoctoral fellowship in the Division of Schizophrenia Research at Rutgers UBHC.

Description: Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based, person-centered approach designed to strengthen engagement and an individual’s motivation for change. This session examines the application of MI within case management, with particular attention to the relational processes that support effective helping relationships. Drawing on MI principles and research related to engagement, therapeutic alliance, and behavior change, participants will explore how presence, grounding, empathy, compassion, and reflective listening can enhance understanding and collaboration. The session will also examine how practitioners can recognize and respond to ambivalence without relying on persuasion or directing change. Participants will consider how intentional use of MI can create psychological safety, reduce resistance, strengthen autonomy, and support individuals in identifying personally meaningful goals and pathways toward change.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, participants will be able to:

Identify Motivational Interviewing strategies that promote engagement, trust, and collaboration in case management relationships.
Describe how presence, grounding, empathy, and compassion can strengthen understanding and support meaningful conversations about change.
Apply core Motivational Interviewing skills to explore ambivalence, recognize strengths, and support an individual's own motivation and goals.

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Luncheon

12:30 – 1:30 PM | Afternoon Session

Session B: Best Practices for Crisis Prevention in Case Management

Kenneth Kinter is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Assistant Professor at Rutgers University, where he supports implementation of evidence-based and trauma-informed care across New Jersey’s state psychiatric hospitals. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University and is completing his Doctorate at Rowan University. With over 20 years of experience in psychiatric screening centers, Kinter has also worked in jails and partial care programs, with a focus on staff training and development.

Description: Effective crisis prevention begins before an emergency occurs. This interactive workshop helps case managers recognize changes from a client’s baseline, identify patterns of escalating risk, and respond at the appropriate stage. Participants will explore engagement strategies for clients with limited insight or motivation, ways to reduce escalation while maintaining boundaries, and practical “If–Then” crisis plans. Case scenarios will give participants an opportunity to apply these strategies to housing stress, treatment disengagement, post-discharge warning signs, and other situations encountered in case management.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, participants will be able to:

Identify changes from a client’s baseline and clusters of warning signs that may indicate progression toward a crisis.
Select engagement and de-escalation strategies appropriate to a client’s level of distress while maintaining clear case management boundaries.
Develop an individualized crisis-prevention plan with specific “If–Then” actions, team contacts, and indicators for a higher level of care.

🏆1:30–2:30 PM Awards Cermony: ICMS Professional Excellence

Celebrate excellence in the field and honor the incredible work of ICMS professionals across New Jersey.

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Countdown to ICMS Conference

8:30 – 9:15 AM | Registration, Breakfast and Networking

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM | Welcome

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM | Opening Remarks

9:45 – 10:30 AM | Keynote Address

10:30 – 10:45 AM | Break and Vendor Browsing

10:45 – 11:45 AM | Morning Session

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Luncheon

12:30 – 1:30 PM | Afternoon Session

🏆1:30–2:30 PM Awards Cermony: ICMS Professional Excellence

Professional Excellence Awards

Stronger together. Better outcomes for all.

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