APRIL IS AUTISM AWENESS MONTH
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In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued their
ADDM autism prevalence report, which
concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 68 births in the United States.
The myths
:
- Environmental factors such as stress cause autism.
- Autism is the result of bad parenting.
- Autism is a mental illness caused by psychological factors such as early-life trauma.
The facts:
While no single specific cause of autism is known, current research links autism to biological or neurological differences in the brain. Approximately 30% of individuals have a co-occuring ASD and Psychiatric Diagnosis.
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NEWLY OPENED COOLIDGE HOUSE PROVIDES RECOVERY SETTING IN THE HEART OF NATICK
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The Department of Mental Health, is pleased to announce the grand opening of the William Coolidge House in downtown Natick. The newly opened residence will provide a recovery setting consisting of 10 one-bedroom units of housing to persons with mental illness. The development is owned by the Natick Housing Authority (NHA), who led the reconstruction effort with the support of the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development (DCHD), Natick Selectmen and Planning Department. The Bridge of Central Massachusetts is the contracted mental health provider.
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Ellen Alfaro, DMH Westborough Site Director, joins the Natick Housing Authority (NHA) Board of Commissioners, and NHA Executive Director Randy Waters for the ribbon cutting.
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CARING TOGETHER CONTINUUM PRACTICE PROFILE NOW AVAILABLE
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The Caring Together (CT) Continuum is a team-based service that coordinates and provides an array of individualized therapeutic interventions designed to meet the unique needs of each youth and family in a manner that is culturally relevant, family-driven, youth-guided, trauma-informed and strength-based. The CT Continuum Practice Profile describes eleven core elements that reflect the practice level work of the clinician and the outreach staff on the Continuum Core Team. For each core element there is a detailed document that describes ideal, developmental, and unacceptable practices at the level of “saying and doing”.
The CT Continuum Practice Profile is a “co-created” product that was produced by the CBH Knowledge Center in partnership with the
Caring Together initiative
,
family members, state agency staff members, and seasoned Continuum practitioners from across the Commonwealth. The profile was also reviewed by two subject matter experts who further aligned the matrices with the research and best practices literature. The Continuum Practice Profile can be used to engage system partners, for staff selection and recruitment activities, and to support ongoing training and staff development activities.
Download
a list of creative suggestions for implementing the practice profile.
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MASSHEALTH ROLLS OUT ACO HEALTH PLANS
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On March 1, 2018,
Accountable Care Organization
(ACO) health plans became available. The ACO health plans are groups of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers who come together to give coordinated, high-quality care to MassHealth members. This way, MassHealth members get the right care at the right time. MassHealth has worked with the ACOs to make sure they provide high quality care
The ACO Health plans
coordinate members care, and invest in supporting and increasing links to community groups to support members, if they have complex behavioral health needs or need long-term services and supports.
ACOs are financially accountable for cost, quality, and member experience for over 850,000 MassHealth members. They will be held accountable for the cost of their services and overall health outcomes of their patients. Member enrollment in ACOs is based upon their relationship with their current primary care provider to ensure continuity of care. To make this happen, MassHealth negotiated a new 5-year
1115 waiver
with the federal government. This includes $1.8 billion of investment over 5 years.
“Under the new ACO model, health care providers will be paid to improve the care coordination and health outcomes for MassHealth members,” said Massachusetts Secretary for Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. “As part of the ACO program's focus on quality, MassHealth will be tracking member experience and is committed to improving the care members receive.”
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BERKSHIRE COUNTY HOSTS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON "OVER COLLECTING"
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In early March a Community Conversation on “Over-Collecting” (aka, Hoarding Disorder) was held at Elder Services of Berkshire County. Approximately 40 people attended from a variety of agencies. Information and challenges about over-collecting were presented by Lee and Bec Shuer, founders of Mutual Support Consulting, who collaborated with Randy Frost and others to develop the “Buried in Treasures” support strategies and groups. They spoke about the anxiety, and emotional attachments people who over collect may experience. They also presented coping strategies, and shared their lived experience.
The presentation was followed by a panel discussion that included: Kim Borden, Tenancy Preservation Program Coordinator; Berkshire Regional Housing Authority; Dean Langrotteria and Mary O’Brien Life Path, Inc. Elder Protective Services; Paul Schack, Attorney, Community Legal Aid; Maureen Tuggey, Elder Services of Berkshire County, and was moderated by Chris Haley, Berkshire Site Director for DMH. The event sparked a great conversation about the topic and the future goal to create a Berkshire County Task Force, and protocol for helping those who struggle with hoarding.
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COMMISSIONER MIKULA IS ON TWITTER!
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Commissioner Mikula launched her account in order to share her own insight, information, and updates with staff and the mental health community as a whole. Commissioner Mikula has dedicated her life to the mental health community and her passion and for the individuals we serve is matched only by her deep understanding of the evolving world of mental healthcare. Following her on Twitter is an opportunity to better know our Commissioner and gain personal insight into her philosophy, vision for the Department, and real-time updates on what she is doing here at DMH. Consider following her on Twitter:
@DMHCommissioner
or
follow this link to her profile
.
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Looking for new learning and development opportunities? Use the DMH Learning and Development Calendar to search for a variety of opportunities in your area or statewide. The learning calendar is updated on an ongoing basis with personal and professional development opportunities as well as continuing education events. Easily filter your search by clicking on any of the color-coded categories that are displayed on the calendar.
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The DMH Events Calendar is the one stop location for upcoming mental health related events planned around the state.
FEATURED UPCOMING EVENTS
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Mass Councils on Aging, in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, is offering a 3-Day training to prepare people to facilitate an evidence-based, life-changing workshop for people who struggle with too much stuff! An estimated 2% to 5% of the US population has this challenge. You can help!
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Join the GBCAN team or volunteer for this annual event which helps NAMI Mass provide educational programs, support groups, grassroots advocacy, and the NAMI Mass Compass, our resource helpline. With your help, all of these programs are offered free of charge to participants.
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Join us for the 24th Grand Annual Performance of Express Yourself at the Boch Center – Wang Theatre
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My Identity/Our Community: Together Fostering Mental Wellness & Resilience In Today’s World
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Join DMH and your local legislators for our annual
DMH Citizens Legislative Breakfast Series for 2018
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CENTRAL MASS AREA
Friday, April 20, 2018
Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital, Large Conf. Room, K2-A2 (
Directions
)
Sponsor: Sen. President Harriette Chandler
NORTHEAST AREA
Thursday July 19, 2018
Massachusetts State House, Great Hall
Sponsor: Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Bradford Hill
Events start with registration and refreshments from 9:30-10 a.m. The program starts promptly at 10 a.m. and runs approximately until 11 a.m.
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Do you use Twitter to get news and information?
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Kudos to those who chose the correct answer of 13.
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Tell us what you think about DMH Connections or this issue by sending feedback.
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FOR NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS CONTACT:
Michelle Cormier - Communications Coordinator
To view past issues of DMH Connections visit our
Archive page
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STAY CONNECTED WITH DMH ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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