Current Reports

Respite Care: What Families Say
In Massachusetts and across the country, children with mental health needs now receive most of their care in their homes and communities. Much has been written about the value of this shift away from out-of-home care. Less attention has been given to how this shift has led to increased burdens on families. PPAL survey 280 families to better understand their need for respite care services, the value they place on these services, and the challenges they face in accessing these services. In, Respite Care: What Families Say families overwhelmingly report that there is a need for appropriate and affordable respite care. Most families have not been able to access respite services.

Download Repite Care: What Families Say report

Pointing the Way to Leadership
YouthMOVE Massachusetts has published its first report, Pointing the Way to Leadership. This youth-led group held structured focus groups to find out how youth defined leadership.  In this report, they reflect how their experiences have honed certain traits and how much support has meant to them.  Youth, they tell us, welcome opportunities to grow into the leaders of tomorrow.

Download Youth Report

Linking Medical Home and Children’s Mental Health: Listening to Massachusetts Families
While families whose children have mental health needs face many barriers to care, the medical home model holds great promise for addressing some of those needs.  PPAL surveyed 171 families to better understand their experiences.  In, Linking Medical Home and Children’s Mental Health: Listening to Massachusetts Families parents overwhelmingly reported that they had the primary responsibility both for communication and coordination of their child’s care.  Most had to find specialty mental health services on their own and large numbers reported that they were unwilling to share information with their child’s school.

Download Medical Home Report