Health centers serve 27 million patients nationwide, a number that continues to grow along with the demand for affordable primary care. In Massachusetts, community health centers care for 988,000 patients of all ages and racial and ethnic backgrounds, accounting for 4.7 million visits per year. There are
52 community health center organizations
across the Commonwealth offering over 300 total access sites, covering 96% of cities and towns. Health centers’ locally-accessible, comprehensive and patient-centered approach helps to keep high-need patients engaged in primary care and less reliant on expensive emergency and hospital care. Massachusetts health centers support 12,000 jobs across the state.* For 53 years health centers have been health care homes to millions, produced innovative solutions to the most pressing health care issues in their communities and reached beyond the walls of conventional medicine to address the social determinants of health affecting special patient populations.**
As we celebrate
National Health Center Week
(August 12-18); we bring to the forefront the accomplishments of America’s health centers for over five decades. Each year we celebrate the work and services health centers provide to special populations within their community.
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**National Association of Community Health Centers
www.nachc.org
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COMMISSIONER MIKULA SHARES THE FY19 DMH BUDGET AT NORTHEAST AREA LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST
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For more than two decades, the annual Legislative Breakfast Series provided an opportunity for the Department and its constituents to connect with legislators on the progress of the fiscal year budget recommendations and to thank them for their past support. This year was no exception; however, it was the first time that a Breakfast was postponed due to a stormy March. The Northeast Area breakfast was postponed due to a stormy March. The Northeast Area Breakfast was held in July giving Commissioner Mikula the opportunity to thank our Legislature for a terrific FY2019 budget that includes a 12.8% increase, nearly $100 million over the FY2018 budget. "This increase allows the Department to not only fully support last year's levels of service, but also to enhance and expand some of DMH's other programs...We are grateful to the governor, the House and the Senate," said Commissioner Mikula.
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Watch Commissioner Mikula as she shares information on the FY19 budget, and thanks our Legislators at the 2018 Northeast Area Legislative Breakfast on July 19, 2018 in the MA State House.
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DMH PARTNERS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE
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The DMH Child, Youth, and Family (CYF) Division;
Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC); and the Institute for Health and Recovery (IHR) using funding from the Legislature, lead a professional development training series designed for the DEEC workforce. The training, Impact of Early Childhood Trauma on Young Children and Caregivers: All Behavior has Meaning, focused on providing DEEC staff with tools/resources/information on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, and Trauma Informed Care.
As of August 10, 2018 approximately 121 staff received training at regional events held in Boston, Springfield and Worcester. Training was offered in both English and Spanish; significant for the 57 staff for which Spanish is the primary language. Evaluations are overwhelmingly favorable. The majority of the respondents strongly agree that the training was useful, clear, and will be helpful in their work.
Two more regional trainings will be held in Taunton and Lawrence. DEEC contract managers and
Family Child Care (FCC) system staff, licensed by DEEC, are slated to receive training. FCC staff provide education and care to the most vulnerable families, i.e. families experiencing homelessness, young families and immigrant families.
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WHAT IS A PRACTICE PROFILE?
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The CBH Knowledge Center recently released a
short online training
to educate providers, practitioners, and other stakeholders on what a practice profile is and how to use it. Too often programs or practices are described
only
by their values or principles (e.g. strengths-based or trauma-informed). While defining the underlying values and principles is important, values, and principles alone do not offer enough detail to help a practitioner understand how to reliably implement that program or practice.
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Visit the CBH Knowledge Center
website
to learn more about what a practice profile is and how to use it.
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ANNOUNCING THE OFFICE OF RACE, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (OREI)
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This month, the new
Office of Race, Equity and Inclusion (OREI)
was launched, replacing DMH’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. The Office of Race, Equity and Inclusion combines the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the role of DMH Diversity Officer. This merger represents the understanding that diversity and cultural competency are only a part of the larger body of work necessary to provide equal treatment and achieve equitable outcomes for individuals touched by DMH – staff and individuals served.
Joy Connell will assume responsibility as the Director of the Office of Race, Equity and Inclusion while maintaining the responsibility of Diversity Officer and will lead DMH efforts in creating environments that are inclusive, respectful and safe for all individuals. This reorganization and position are vital to the DMH mission to provide person-centered treatment and supervision.
Please welcome Joy and the Office of Race, Equity, and Inclusion staff to their new role!
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by Rob Walker
Office of Recovery and Empowermen
t
I have had the privilege of mentoring a summer intern for the last 5 years. I am also honored to mentor young adults who worked with me for a year long contract as Transitional Youth Peer Coordinators. The rewards of mentorship have extended far beyond the ability to share the workload. I have watched mentees continue on to graduate school in Clinical Psychology, obtain their Masters in Social Work degree, and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy.
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Seeing DMH through the eyes of a young person gives me a new perspective on my work and a new appreciation of my job. Having to answer questions about why the Department does something the way we do it and talking without using acronyms is a talent I soon discovered I lacked. Students who have interned with me have participated in all facets of my work life, including numerous meetings. Hearing their perspective on the meeting topics has changed my outlook. Watching someone grow during the short summer internship, and feeling a small part of that growth, is definitely worth any extra work that is involved.
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JONATAHAN BOWEN-LEOPOLD HONORED FOR HOMELESS ADVOCACY
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Over the past year, Jonathan Bowen-Leopold has worked with DMH Director of Housing Joseph Vallely to forge relationships with local Massachusetts libraries. Jonathan's persistence resulted in the
Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness
(PATH) program trainings on mental illness at libraries in Quincy, New Bedford, Lawrence, Somerville and Holyoke. Commissioner Joan Mikula recognized Jonathan at the July meeting of the State Mental Health Planning Council where housing and homelessness were featured agenda topics.
Jonathan was also highlighted in the Massachusetts Library Systems
blog
.
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Looking for new learning and development (LD) opportunities? Use the DMH LD 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 displayed on the calendar.
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FOUNDATIONS WORKSHOP IN FACILITATING PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
Sunday September 16, 2018
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
McLean Hospital
The
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
presents a training opportunity for Certified Peer Specialists, Peer Support Specialists, Recovery Coaches, Peer Workers, Outreach Workers, and Family Partners.
This workshop is a comprehensive overview, that provides the building blocks of effective peer-support group facilitation for people interested in becoming a facilitator. This training, for many, is the first step in learning how to facilitate a support group. Registration Deadline is Wednesday, September 12, at 7 p.m.; Pre-Registration is required. No “walk-in” registration will be allowed. Space is limited to 20 participants.
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The DMH Events Calendar is the one stop location for upcoming mental health related events planned around the state.
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Have you found a Community Health Center to be beneficial for your healthcare?
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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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FOLLOW COMMISSIONER MIKULA ON TWITTER
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