Netsmart CareThreads

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Jul 2026

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About the show

Netsmart CareThreads (https://www.ntst.com/resources-and-insights/podcasts) is a podcast that brings human services and post-acute leaders together for a dialogue about real-time and relevant topics that impact you, your team and those you serve. Learn about key healthcare trends and industry changes in addiction management (https://www.ntst.com/solutions/by-community/human-services/addiction-treatment), behavioral health (https://www.ntst.com/solutions/by-community/human-services/behavioral-health), home health (https://www.ntst.com/post-acute-care/home-health-software), hospice (https://www.ntst.com/post-acute-care/hospice-software), long-term care and other community care settings.

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56 recent

July 30, 2026Episode 6233 min

Lessons Learned Over Four Decades of Fighting for Disability Rights

What does it take to build a care-driven movement out of $362 and a conviction that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) deserve better in life? In this episode of the CareThreads Podcast, Robert Stack , President and CEO of Community Options, Inc., sits down with Kevin Mallot , SVP and Managing Director, Human Services, Netsmart to share the story behind an organization that started as an idea and now supports thousands of individuals across 12 states. Stack traces his path from opening some of the first group homes in New York to founding Community Options in 1989, offering candid stories about the shift away from institutional care and toward community-based living, employment and family support. He also digs into the workforce challenges facing direct support professionals, the four factors that keep them motivated beyond a paycheck and how technologies such as AI are starting to ease the documentation burden so caregivers can spend more time with the people they support. Our conversation closes with Stack's reflections on his USA Today bestseller " Silent No Longer " and why he believes a country is judged by how well it cares for its most vulnerable citizens. To learn more about Community Options, the largest national nonprofit organization focused exclusively on supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, visit their website here .

April 9, 2026Episode 6147 min

The Outlook for Care at Home in 2026

What does the care at home landscape look like in 2026? In this episode, Dr. Steve Landers , former CEO of the National Alliance for Care at Home, shares his thoughts on the forces shaping care at home today and what providers should be preparing for as we move through the year. Dr. Landers offers a candid look at hospice , home health , palliative care and home care. The discussion covers Medicare and Medicaid policy shifts, payment pressures, workforce realities, quality oversight, fraud prevention and the power of advocacy. This episode also explores looking beyond short-term regulation, improving how the care at home story is told and preparing for a future where access, sustainability and patient-centered care are connected. Listen to hear about: Hospice trends in 2026, including length of stay, live discharges and quality reporting under HOPE The state of home health reimbursement, PDGM pressures and the impact of recent CMS rate decisions Medicaid funding uncertainty and what it could mean for home and community-based services Medicare Advantage dynamics, supplemental home care and ongoing concerns about including hospice benefits within Medicare Advantage plans Why advocacy, grassroots engagement and storytelling are critical to protecting access and sustainability

February 25, 2025Episode 5638 min

2025 Care at Home Industry Outlook

What does the future hold for home health and hospice in 2025? In this Netsmart CareThreads podcast, host Mike Dordick, McBee President and Netsmart SVP of Post-Acute Strategy, sits down with Dr. Steve Landers, President of the National Alliance for Care at Home, for this discussion. They explore the biggest issues facing care-at-home providers today, from payment reform and regulatory pressures to the growing needs of an aging population and the path forward for high-quality, cost-effective home-based care. You’ll hear how policy decisions are reshaping reimbursement and what providers can do now to advocate for change.

June 5, 2024Episode 5323 min

The Evolving Landscape of Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)

What’s going on with electronic visit verification (EVV) now that the mandate has been in effect for personal care services for more than a year? In this podcast, you’ll discover what’s changed and what may be on the horizon in the EVV landscape. Join Lindsay Mack , director of client success at Netsmart, and Kristy Pyles , founder of In Your Corner Consulting, as they discuss progress made since the implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act and ongoing challenges faced by providers, payers and states, as well at the potential benefits EVV offers in supporting value-based care and improving care delivery. Key takeaways: Providers are making strides in EVV compliance, including technology barriers, rural service locations, device availability and healthcare provider acceptance of new technologies Short-term impacts on providers involve claim denials, reimbursement changes and manual entry requirements Potential EVV expansions could include services such as transportation and hospice National standardization and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities could be on the horizon and promise to position EVV as a tool to improve care delivery and address workforce shortages This podcast can help listeners realize EVV's game-changing potential outside traditional facilities and its role in supporting value-based care through data analysis. Listeners will also hear valuable insights into the past, present and future direction of this critical technology in supporting quality healthcare for Medicaid recipients. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

April 9, 2024Episode 5230 min

Evolutions in Care: How California is Tackling Legislation, Populations and Technology

What strategies should states and counties adopt to meet the changing behavioral health landscape? In this podcast, we’ll look at our nation’s largest state, California, to see how they are responding to new legislation, high-risk populations and technology innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI). Join David Strocchia , SVP and Managing Director of Human Services, Netsmart; Mark Van Horn , VP of Public Sector, Netsmart; and Veronica Kelley , DSW, Director of Behavioral Health Services, Orange County for an informative conversation. They discuss the latest challenges facing the public sector in California, from unhoused populations to legislative billing changes––and how they leverage data and technology to successfully evolve. Key Takeaways: Adapting to Legislation: California is facing major initiatives from state government, including CARE Court and CalAIM. See how counties of all sizes are staying compliant. High-Risk Populations: From record numbers of unhoused to the opioid crisis, California providers are exploring innovative solutions to better serve their communities. Importance of Data: A state as big as California needs data sharing and interoperability to solve today’s behavioral health challenges. Learn how they’re meeting this need. Meaningful Automation: Our panel will discuss breakthroughs in AI/automation and why they’re important for improving future outcomes.

January 18, 2024Episode 5134 min

Think Locally: How Community Partnerships Shape National Policies

Jonah Cunningham is a policy expert who’s seen the evolution of healthcare––up to his present role as CEO of National Association of County Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD) and Executive Director of National Association of Rural Mental Health (NARMH). In this podcast, he sits down with Tom Herzog , Chief Operating Officer of Netsmart, to discuss current trends in behavioral health and human services. The conversation reveals how some of healthcare’s most innovative programs––including 988 crisis lines and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), as well as AI technology––have grown from partnerships, be they local or industry collaborations. Cunningham challenges all individuals to use their voice to inspire continuous innovation in behavioral health, addictions, crisis care and more. Listeners will learn: The challenges and innovations facing human services organizations today, including recruitment and retention. The role of local authorities, counties, federal agencies and community partnerships––and how you can get involved. The importance of Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and risk management to treat population health. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

November 29, 2023Episode 5035 min

Meeting the Demand for Autism Care with Staff Retention and Improved Outcomes

Autism has become a significant issue in healthcare today, with rapidly rising diagnoses each year and new legislation mandating insurance coverage in all 50 states. In this podcast, Jamie Pagliaro , Executive Vice President and Chief Learning Officer at Rethink, a leading provider of ABA solutions, sits down with Jen Gray , Director of Solution Consulting at Netsmart, to talk about the growing demand for autism care. They’ll discuss the impact on service providers like BCBAs and RBTs, along with some emerging technology that can help with large caseloads and overwhelming documentation. (Which translates to increased recruitment and retention for organizations.) Check out this podcast to learn about the future of autism treatment and how you can better serve individuals in your community. Key objectives include: Understand how and why the increase in autism diagnoses has changed the landscape of care in recent years, and what that means for your organization Learn how technology can help with recruitment and retention, and why increased demand for autism may be causing turnover in BCBAs and RBTs The importance of data collection, analysis and reporting to drive decision-making and care integration, using a single platform

August 29, 2023Episode 4830 min

Managing Top-Line and Bottom-Line: Sustainability Strategies for Behavioral Health Organizations

What strategies do a human services organization need to improve both top-line (growth) and bottom-line (profit) sustainability? Join Dave Strocchia , SVP, Netsmart, as he shares insights with Monica Oss , CEO, OPEN MINDS . This conversation will focus on new and emerging technology as the secret to a healthy business––including less overhead, happier staff, more service lines and stronger consumer engagement. Come away with an understanding of: The importance of automation to optimize your bottom line and increase employee satisfaction How emerging technologies like AI can transform your clinical processes Technology as a strategy for improving and diversifying your relationships with payers Why data is more important than ever to prove your value The path toward integrated care and why it’s so important to sustainability Where technology is headed and what we can expect in the future If you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

April 12, 2023Episode 4730 min

Changing Lives: Transform Your Finances, Elevate Your Care

How did a CFO with a non-clinical background revolutionize care outcomes for a 140-year-old IDD nonprofit? In this episode, Toni Pergolin, CEO, Bancroft , talks with Mike Valentine, CEO, Netsmart , about her unexpected journey from changing budgets to changing lives. Learn the financial and strategic planning measures that took her organization from a struggling intuition to an innovative industry leader. Best of all, discover how the right business decisions benefit everyone from consumers to staff to communities. Come away with an understanding of: The importance of focusing on key initiatives before you allow yourself to grow How to create the right strategic plan––and implement it as a team Why technology is crucial for innovation, care, and your bottom line Key guidelines for operating a Human Services nonprofit, and the importance of community relationships to the well-being of your consumers. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

February 23, 2023Episode 4638 min

NAHC President Bill Dombi Shares 2023 Industry Outlook

The president of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) says the performance of these agencies during the pandemic raised their awareness among the public and people in other parts of health care services. As we move through 2023, and further away from the pandemic, home care agencies and hospices are looking to increase their value in the overall home care landscape. In this episode, NAHC President Bill Dombi talks with Mike Dordick , Netsmart SVP of Post-Acute Strategy, about the current environment, challenges and opportunities for the home care and hospice industry. Listen in as these two healthcare leaders talk about what you need to know as you work through 2023. Join us as we discuss: Solutions to workforce shortages The growing Medicare Advantage population The impact the new Congress will have on policy and regulation Home care expansion Dombi’s forecast for the future If you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or however you listen to your podcasts.