The purpose of NACM, a not-for-profit organization, is to provide case managers and other service coordination practitioners with an opportunity for professional growth and for the promotion of case management. NACM accomplishes these goals through educational meetings and conferences, news and communications, and policy development that continues the definition and refinement of the case management process. NACM is particularly relevant to direct service case managers and service coordinators working with adults and children in the mental health, development disabilities, and substance abuse fields as well as case managers working in welfare reform or those working with people with physical or disabilities or with the elderly.
The National Association of Case Management Recognizes the vital role of the direct service Case Manager. Case management is one of the fastest growing and essential processes applied to mental health, development disabilities, substance abuse and the other human service fields. Many human service systems rely on case management as the critical component that assures that vital human service needs are met and consumer desired outcomes are achieved. NACM focuses on enhanced skill development for the case management practitioner while providing special attention to the improvement of administrative systems and the clinical research that can facilitate the practice of case management .
NACM's most important role is as an advocate for continued community support services and use of consumer centered case management as a primary tool in serving people with the behavioral disabilities. This is particularly important in a time of uncertainty with the emphasis on heath care reform and changes in reimbursement in the continuously changing environment in which case managers provide services.
Educational Meetings and Conferences
Since the 1994 Third National Case Management Conference, NACM has sponsored 11 more national conferences across the country. These conferences typically include 5 pre conference all day skill building Institutes, 80 concurrent workshops presented by case management practitioners, plenary sessions chaired by national known key note speakers and a case management Research Symposium conducted by a panel of renown case management researchers. Presentations are available in the many behavioral health fields including adult and child/family mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse and dual diagnosis, as well as homeless, forensic and HIV/AIDS services. In addition, there are many sessions of general interest to all direct service case managers and service coordinators, including such areas as training and education, innovative services, practice methods, public policy, research, supervision, self-care and professional growth.
NACM has also begun offering Regional Supervisor Seminars to meet the special and complex training needs of supervisors of case managers and service coordinators. These two day seminars use adult learning techniques to assure the highest degree of participant involvement and the opportunity to share ideas, successful practices and the collective experience of those present .
Professional Case Management Communications
Members receive timely reports, bulletins and information on events effecting case management practice.
Networking
Members of NACM are part of a network of practicing case managers who are advocates for community based case management systems, who share ideas and work to minimize bureaucratic barriers, promote high ethical standards, support career growth and promote the vitality and the professional image of case management: The Association encourages networking by referring members who are interested in management, research, system development and skill enhancement to other NACM members who have been successful in those areas. The Association encourages members with similar interests to meet in a semi structured environment at NACM conferences and meetings and to keep NACM apprised of the critical issues they are facing in their practice of case management/service coordination.
The XCEL Award
The " XCEL " award was created to recognize outstanding accomplishments by case managers and is presented at each National Conference to the Case Manager, Consumer Case Manager and Case Management Supervisor of the year and Case Management agency/ program of the year, selected from nominations made by NACM members. Winners are honored at the special awards luncheon at the conference and are the invited "VIP" guests of NACM during the national conference.
What You Receive As An Association Member!
An invitation to attend the national conference, discounted registration fees and preferred consideration as a speaker and presenter at all NACM conferences and meetings.