Najwa Awad

Direct the implementation and monitoring of new and existing OMH programs and initiatives for adults and children in the New York City region. Programs and initiatives include Licensing, Clinic Restructuring, Personalized Recovery Oriented Services, Assisted Out-Patient Treatment, Assertive Community Treatment, Adult Case Management, Residential Programs, Housing Initiatives and Single Point of Access.
• Directs program planning, implementation and evaluation, ensuring programs and providers are prepared for the transition to Medicaid Managed Care. Provides recommendations to Field Office Director concerning program development, improvement, viability and potential impacts to access as it pertains to service delivery for adults and children.
• Participates in executive-level management planning, policy and decision making regarding new programs/services, and changes to existing programs/services that comprise the mental health system. Develops and implements policy recommendations based on operational needs.
• Formulate and recommend policies and procedures to the Field Office Director and OMH Executive level staff regarding Housing, Case Management, Assertive Community Treatment and local system of care implementation.
• Develop strategies to improve the operation of mental health services in the local service delivery system.
• Communicate OMH policy and initiatives to local government, clinical providers, hospitals and provider Coalitions related to adult and children’s services in the New York City region.
• Work in partnership with other agencies such as the Department of Health, the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in implementing better communication and strategies to meet the needs of the many constituencies affected by multiple service systems.
• Work collaboratively with local government units, providers, Field Office and Central Office staff to address problems, complaints and policy issues related to new and existing OMH programs and initiatives.
• Manage all housing initiatives including the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, design development, bid award and progress of construction as they relate to OMH housing initiatives.
• Represent OMH at meetings and on task forces with external agencies, mental health advocacy groups and trade organizations.
• Meet with elected officials to provide information on OMH initiatives as required by the Commissioner.
• Monitor the Prior Approval Review (PAR) process for all new programs in the New York City region and provide ongoing expert technical assistance to Field Office staff and providers to ensure compliance with OMH’s Bureau of Inspection and Certification standards.
• Manage and supervise field office activities and staff; provide guidance and resolve problems; establish work schedules and prioritize assignments as needed.

• Led teams of up to [Number] personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans

• Taught Introduction to Psychology course consisting of 38-40 students as well as a Social Psychology Course consisting of 20-25 students. The final grade is based on writing assignments, oral presentations, exams, and class participation and attendance.
• Engaged students with insightful and compelling classroom discussion of topics relevant to coursework to boost student learning and retention.
• Collaborated with department head to create dynamic, ongoing curriculum development, and instruction improvement program.
• Organized, prepared, and revised psychology course material and applied technological options for online learning.

• · Overseeing and implementing the provisions of Kendra’s Law within New York City’s large and complex behavioral health system.
• · Providing oversight to the complex behavioral health system including a multitude of different agencies within the five boroughs of New York City including providing guidance and expert technical implementation assistance to the NYCDOHMH in appropriate referral methods; planning and conducting meetings with NYCDOHMH, patient advocacy groups, family members, behavioral health providers, and the general public to promote understanding of Kendra’s Law.
• · Supervising 5 staff including 3 AOT Compliance Specialists, 1 Mental Health Specialist, and 1 Program Coordinator within in the performance of their duties.
• · Ensuring timely provision of services and the utilization of existing services in the assisted outpatient’s community.
• · Ensuring designation of a Health Home Plus care coordinator, or Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team for each assisted outpatient as required in Kendra’s Law and consistent with the standards set by the OMH Commissioner.
• · Reviewing local written and data reports demonstrating assisted outpatient compliance and the availability of services and medications as required by the Court.
• · Monitoring programs to ensure quality services are provided in accordance with the court order.
• · Initiating corrective action if implementation is not consistent with court order.
• · Determining if the five boroughs in NYC are meeting their statutory obligations under Kendra’s Law and reporting all failures for inclusion in a report to the OMH Commissioner and the court that issued the order.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Liaison 05/2018 - present
• · Responsible for coordinating emergency response for major crisis/disasters for NYCFO.
• · COVID Emergency - Keeping track of the numerous guidance that OMH and other governmental entities have provided and disseminated them to the field. Assisted in developing the NYCFO’s COVID containment plan and working closely with Central Office when providers or individuals have questions about COVID-related issues.
• · Coordinating COVID vaccine effort as an O-LOV outreach coordinator covering MPC, BPC, and CPC and ensuring providers requests for vaccination assistance are met.
• 730.40 Project Coordinator 08/2015-present
• · Coordinating the 730.40 initiative including problem solving and assisting with access to resources. In accordance with CPL 730, defendants who are found Not Fit for misdemeanor crimes have their charges automatically dropped and they are committed to the custody of the Commissioner of the Office of Mental Health.
• · Working closely with Special Advisors to the NYSOMH Commissioner, and collaborating with NYC H+H, Rikers Correctional Health services, and Directors of community mental health providers.

• · Responsible for the oversight and monitoring of the provision and implementation of Kendra’s Law (Assisted Outpatient Treatment for Mental Health recipients).
• · Serving as primary OMH AOT liaison, for the counties of Kings and Richmond, to DOHMH and the Directors of Mental Health agencies. Currently monitoring Kings and Richmond county, but previously responsible for and experience with all the NYC counties.
• · Conducting monitoring visits of mental health providers (including Care Coordination, ACT, Clinic, CDT, PROS, Partial Hospitalization, and Residential Programs) to ensure services are being provided as mandated on the court ordered treatment plan.
• · Providing AOT training to community providers.
• · Reviewing and investigating NIMRS incidents reports, collaborating with the Justice Center and providing support and recommendations to clinical teams to ensure appropriate provision of services to help maintain the health and safety of these recipients.
• · Member (representing the NYSOMH) of the NYC AOT Special Review Committee of serious incidents offering recommendations and clinical assistance in collaboration with DOHMH and community providers.
• · Member of NYCFO High Risk High Profile Committee.
• · Reviewing and investigating recipient and provider concerns.
• · Collaborating with DOHMH, OASAS, OPWDD, and NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to ensure continuity of care for AOT recipients.
• · Providing supervisory coverage for the Director of AOT for NYC.
• · Current Acting Director of AOT for New York City.
• · Member of Emergency and Disaster Preparedness team representing the NYCFO.
• EZ PAR Coordinator 06/2012-February/2018
• · Responsible for coordinating the EZ PAR process by collaborating with providers, NYS Bureau of Inspection and Certification, the NYCFO certification staff, and DOHMH.
• · Experience and familiarity with the Standards of Care
• · Ensuring timely review and processing of EZ PAR applications

· Coordinated the Blended Care Coordination Program at University Consultation Center working closely with the New York City Office of Mental Health. This program is geared towards assisting recipients living with mental illness with service needs as well as monitoring compliance to medication and other psychiatric treatment. Included in this population are court ordered Assisted Outpatient Treatment recipients.

· Responsibilities include directing and coordinating all aspects of the program including the hiring and training of staff, the supervision of 9 case managers, monitoring chart and paperwork compliance, producing annual as well as fiscal reports, exacting compliance to the rules and regulations of the program and agency policies, and monitoring the allocation of appropriate services to the recipients.

· Managed a reduce caseload for the duration of the time in this role.

Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.

• Developed Blended Case Management program from ground up, laying out framework, and defining roles.
• Collaborated with various teams to uncover issues, identify applicable solutions, and offer guidance.
• Maintained and updated project related documents.

• Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists, and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.
• Assisted with outreach and engagement services to engage clients and maintain working relationships.
• Participated as member of multi-disciplinary team providing on-going case management services to adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Complied with applicable program research and evaluation procedures.
• Maintained a caseload of forty that included individuals living with serious mental illness and comorbid conditions including HIV/AIDS, as well as shelter recipients.
• Conducted intake assessments and reassessments.
• Collaborated with recipients to ensure high functioning, provided direct services including counseling, outreach, advocacy, skill building and community linkages. Interfacing with HASA, Public Assistance, Medicaid Offices, and Legal Aid agencies to assist clients in securing all benefits to which they are entitled and to ensure their service needs are being met.
• Established and maintaining linkages and referred recipients to day treatment programs and other institutions of support for services.
• Moderated individual and group counseling sessions.
• Facilitated a daily skill development group.
• Contributed monthly in the completion of the Ryan White Report.