What Is The National Case Management Association?

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 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 newest. 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. 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.

NACMs most important role is as an advocate for continued community support services and use of consumer centered case management as the primary tool to serve the behaviorally disabled. This is particularly important in a time of uncertainty with the emphasis on heath care reform and changes in reimbursement in the rapidly evolving environment in which case managers provide services.

Educational Meetings and Conferences

The 1994 Third National Case Management Conference built on the previous conferences held in Cincinnati in 1990, and Philadelphia in 1993 which showcased successful case management systems. More than 1,500 case managers attended the 1994 Conference in Oak Brook Illinois and had their choice of 10 pre conference all day skill building Institutes, 125 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 six renown case management researchers.

The Fourth National Case Management Conference will be held in Nashville Tennessee at the Nashville Convention Center from May 18 through May 22 in 1996 and NACM members will have first preference on all speaker and presenter slots. NACM also sponsors regional meetings on special topics as requested by members and national forums oriented to the most current topics such as managed care.

Case Management Communications

All NACM members receive the bimonthly publication Case Management Reports that provides information on new developments, proven methods of enhancing case management services and descriptions of model programs. Members also receive other 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 the community based case management system, 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 in meet in a semi structured environment at NACM conferences and meetings

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 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.

The publication, Case Management Reports filled with new developments and ideas to make your program stronger.

 An opportunity to receive the XCeL award for extraordinary achievement as a consumer case manager, case manager supervisory or case manager. Only NACM members in good standing can nominate and select recipients of the XCeL award.

 Support and assistance to form state chapters.

 A membership certificate suitable for framing announcing that you subscribe to the standards of the National Association Of Case Managemen.