Our children’s mental health system had gaps and flaws before the pandemic. COVID-19 only made things worse. However, there are growing efforts to make improvements in schools, insurance, crisis care and family support.
Please join us at the Inside Track, a PPAL briefing and networking meeting to get updated on new and current resources, news, legislative changes and advocacy efforts that affect children, youth and families.
Slides from March 2024
PPAL's Question of the Month
https://ppal.net/question-of-the-month/
Updated DESE Teacher Evaluation Standards
https://www.doe.mass.edu/edprep/resources/guidelines-advisories/teachers-guide/
DESE Racial Equity Toolkit
https://www.doe.mass.edu/rlo/psm/civilrights-toolkit/index.html#/
School Attendance Data
https://educationtocareer.data.mass.gov/stories/s/vuut-f46x
Respite Innovations Grant
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/respite-innovations-grant
Caregiver to Caregiver/C2C Respite Network
https://fcsn.org/c2c/#:~:text=It%20draws%20on%20caregiver%20capacity,is%20culturally%20and%20linguistically%20affirming
The Home For Little Wanderers Connected Families Respite (CFR) Program
https://www.thehome.org/programs/clinical-behavioral/connected-families-respite-program/
House of Possibilities Inc. Respite
https://www.houseofpossibilities.org/programs-for-children
Emissary Health, Inc. Respite
https://app.emissaryhealth.org/about
Seven Hills Family Services Inc. Respite
https://www.sevenhills.org/programs/respite-supports
Northeast Arc, Inc. Respite
https://ne-arc.org/services/family-services-and-recreation/guided-personal-supports/transition-and-school-supports/
Boss Lady Sister LL - We Rock The Spectrum Care Respite
https://werockthespectrumwestford.com/we-rock-care/
Lifepath, Inc. Respite
https://lifepathma.org/what-we-offer/care-at-home/respite-services/
Riverside Community Care Inc, Riverside Caregivers SOAR: Sustainable Opportunities for Accessing Respite
https://www.riversidecc.org/riverside-caregivers-soar-sustainable-opportunities-for-accessing-respite/
Advocates Inc. Respite
https://advocates.org/services/respite-options
Boston Public Schools Funding
https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=14&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=44626&PageID=1
Complex Case Review
https://www.mass.gov/regulations/101-CMR-2700-interagency-review-of-complex-cases
PPAL FAMILY ADVOCACY GROUP
Sign up for our mailing list and tell us your ideas and topics you are invested in!
Example: School, Child Requiring Assistance, Psychiatric Hospital, Emergency rooms, Respite, Restraint/Seclusion
PBows@PPAL.net
Slides from January 2024
What is Respite: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/129346781.pdf
Respite Innovations Grant: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/respite-innovations-grant
Caregiver 2 Caregiver Respite: https://fcsn.org/c2c/#:~:text=It%20draws%20on%20caregiver%20capacity,is%20culturally%20and%20linguistically%20affirming.
Now open to families: https://fcsn.org/c2c/
DMH ED Diversion Initiative
- https://www.mass.gov/doc/fy-23-ed-diversion-report-final/download
- https://www.childrenshospitals.org/news/childrens-hospitals-today/2022/11/reduce-boarding-in-the-emergency-department-with-in-home-care
Youth Villages Intercept ED Boarding
- https://youthvillages.org/services/intensive-in-home-treatment/intercept/
- https://youthvillages.org/about-us/locations/massachusetts/
- https://youthvillages.org/services/refer-a-child/
Tufts Intensive Hospital Diversion (ED Diversion): https://tuftshealthplan.com/documents/providers/behavioral-health/intensive-hospital-diversion-perf-specs
Children’s Mental Health Campaign (CMHC): https://www.childrensmentalhealthcampaign.org/
Legislation: What Can I Do?
- https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
- https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/legislative-process-massachusetts-0
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgVKvqTItto
Legislation: Hearings and Testimony: https://malegislature.gov/Events
2023/4 legislation: where are we in the legislative process? https://malegislature.gov/Bills/Search
2023/24 Legislation part 2: https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Joint
S.101 / H.134, An Act regarding families and children in need of assistance. https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H134
Current legislation:
- https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1253
- https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H989
- https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S240/Cosponsor
- https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S794/Cosponsor
- https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1979
Question of the Month
- Jan. 2024 Questions - Restraints & Seclusions https://ppal.net/question-of-the-month/
- Past Results https://ppal.net/question-of-the-month-results/
Media Requests: info@PPAL.net
Slides from November 2023
Bulletins
PANS/PANDAS
- https://aspire.care/symptoms-diagnosis/symptoms/
- https://aspire.care/featured/massachusetts-pans-pandas-updates/
- https://aspire.care/resources/pans-pandas-brochures-and-handouts/
- https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S1266
- find your state rep: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
Updated Massachusetts Dyslexia Guidelines Addressing Multilingual Learners
Parent's Notice of Procedural Safeguards
Federal Investigation of Massachusetts DESE
School Based Bridge Program
- https://www.brooklinecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/BRYTNotesReport_FromTheBrooklineCenter.pdf
- https://www.brooklinecenter.org/services/school-based-support/bryt-program/
- original request for the programming: https://www.commbuys.com/bso/external/bidDetail.sdo?docId=BD-24-1022-DMH08-8210C-92538&external=true&parentUrl=close
Study on School-Based DCF Reporting
Are you a parent/caregiver with direct experience with DCF reports made by your child's school?
Family Matters 1st, Movement for Family Power, and Boston University is conducting the study. Compensation Available.
Contact Andrew King
arking86@bu.edu
857-209-1117
PPAL Media Requests: info@ppal.net
Looking to hear from:
- Families that have multi-agency involvement
- (including court, CRA and other avenues)
- Peer counseling experiences
- Foster families willing to talk about waiting in ER and not getting assessed timely for mental health crises
- Family experience with CBHCs (Community Behavioral Health Centers)
- 988 and BHHL ( Behavioral Health Helpline)
- Have you used either? How is it working?
Slides from July 2023
Bulletins
- New IEP Implementation
- CRA Bill: An Act regarding families and children in need of assistance S 101 / H 134 Fact sheet
- Interactive JDAI Data Dashboard
- Credible Messenger Strategist
- Accessible Summer Activities (via FCSN)
(see slide 13 in slide deck) - Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatrics
- Behavioral Health Terms Dictionary
- Children’s Mental Health Campaign Bills
Networking Resources
- https://mwcc.edu/academics/k-12/programs/gateway/
- https://www.facebook.com/Emiliakhopecommunitycenter?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Bay State Community Services in Braintree, MA has openings for ICC-intensive care coordination and FP-family partner.
- The Possible Zone
- Highland Street Foundation has August Adventures — 31 days of free events
- https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-ebt-card-to-culture-program
Jobs
Slides from January 2023
Bulletins
- Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) links and resources:
- Massachusetts Responds To The Crisis in Children's Behavioral Health Report
- The Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT)
- Interagency Review of Complex Cases
Networking Resources
- Arbour Counseling Service (Worcester location was recommended) https://arbourhealth.com/
- Children's Study Home/ Helix Human Services https://helixhumanservices.org/
- Lasagna Love https://www.lasagnalove.org/
- Parent Information Network (PIN) https://pin.bamsi.org/
- PIN has Special Education workshops in February
- PIN will have Youth Access Center transportation, coming soon.
- The Mom Project https://themomproject.com/
- Insurance tips for newly diagnosed families/ Consejos de Seguros para Familias Recién Diagnosticadas- UMASS Chan Lunch and Learn (PDF ATTACHED)
- Eliot support group for caregivers navigating trauma
Contact Program Coordinator Courtney Rubio @ 508-612-4230 or crubio@eliotchs.org or Clinician Julie Peiffer @ 781-879-5217 or ipeiffer@eliotchs.org - The Home for Little Wanderers Parent Support Program Newsletter https://us17.campaign-archive.com/?u=a1821223208c791c030b56d7b&id=2b9213ea0e
- BPS IEP transportation Reimbursement https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/Page/9115
- PPAL is Hiring https://ppal.net/employment/
Slides from November 2022
Bulletins
- 988 Line
https://www.mass.gov/988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline - Family Resource Centers (FRC)
https://www.frcma.org/ - DMH Youth Access Centers
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/dmh-access-centers - DYS Learning Labs
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/jdai-diversion - SAMHSA National Guidelines for Child and Youth Behavioral Health Crisis Care
https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20221110/hhs-releases-new-national-guidelines-improving-youth-mental-health-crisis-care - Behavioral Health Urgent Care
https://www.mass.gov/doc/managed-care-entity-bulletin-76-behavioral-health-urgent-care-providers/download - Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHC)
https://www.mass.gov/doc/roadmap-for-behavioral-health-reform-overview-of-the-community-behavioral-health-program/download - Locations:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-behavioral-health-centers - More info about CBHCs and Behavioral Health Urgent Care:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/roadmap-for-behavioral-health-reform-faqs#community-behavioral-health-centers- - School Safety Measures within Bill H.5374 - "An Act relating to economic growth and relief for the Commonwealth"
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-376-billion-economic-development-bill
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H5374 - Behavioral Health Integrated Resources for Children (BIRCh) Project
https://www.umb.edu/birch
Slides from September 2022
Bulletins
Community Updates:
- DMH Program for Acute Community Treatment (PACT) for Youth
- FAMILIES NEEDED to speak to the following media about various Behavioral Health topics:
- Boston Magazine, CBS News, WBUR, Boston Children's Hospital Behavioral Health Summit (in-person event)
- Interested? contact:
- Pam Sager, PPAL Executive Director: psager@ppal.net
- Meri Viano, PPAL Associate Director: mviano@ppal.net
- Restraint and Seclusion Update–
- Email Candice, PPAL’s Juvenile Justice Program Manager: cgabrey@ppal.net
Juvenile Justice Updates:
- PPAL signs onto Bill as part of the Coalition for Smart Responses to Student Behavior
- See MA Juvenile Justice Reform Coalition Fact Sheet to view other organizations associated with the Coalition
- More information on Safe and Supportive Schools
- ARPA Funding
- Write to MA sen/reps to inquire and suggest ARPA funding routes.
- Find my Legislator MA
- Sample Letter for writing to a legislator
- CRA Reform
Policy Updates
- ABC Mental Health Omnibus Bill
- Online Portal to track BH Boarding and available beds (Session Law– Acts of 2022 Chapter 177- AN ACT ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO CARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH, SECTION 2, Section 16P)
- Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Program (Session Law– Acts of 2022 Chapter 177- AN ACT ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO CARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH, SECTION 4, Section 16FF)
- Some information from BIRCh about Behavioral Health Technical Assistance
- Reach out to your School Committee to find out how your school district currently supports behavioral health staff!
Networking
Resources:
- Behavioral Health Acronyms, (2 links)
- PPAL has a seat on the Children’s Mental Health Campaign– find out more about CMHC
- Grief-Informed Care information
Events:
- 9/29 MOAR and Friends 32nd Recovery Month Celebration Day
- 9/30 Young Adult Access Center Grand Opening– Children's Services of Roxbury
- 10/5 Parent information Network (PIN)– online Special Education Documentation workshop– everyone welcome!
- 10/6 Sibling Support Group
- 10/14-10/15 Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) Planning A Life Conference 2022
- Family needed to speak along side PPAL at Boston Childrens Behavioral Health Summit in-person event on 10/28–
- Contact Pam Sager, PPAL Executive Director, psager@ppal.net
Job Openings:
- Paid Opportunity– Training for Youth/ Young Adults– Strategic Sharing
- email Dkaplan@ppal.net
- The Support Network–
- Part time Bilingual Family Support Staff, Holyoke
- https://wmtcinfo.org/job-listings/
- Parent Information Network (Southeast)—
- Many part time jobs, Email Heather Hogan: hhogan@bamsi.org
- Riverside is hiring multiple positions
- JDAI Local Coordinator, Essex/ Middlesex counties
PPAL Events:
- PPAL is increasing family support in Central Mass. Find out more!
- Active Parenting for Teens- Tuesdays, 1-3PM 10/4 - 11/22/2022
- contact cgabrey@ppal.net or visit https://ppal.net/events/
- Tuesday School Problem Solving Clinic
- Contact juvenilejustice@ppal.net or cgabrey@ppal.net
- Juvenile Justice Workshops–
- Visit https://ppal.net/events/
- 10/3/22- Juvenile Justice Basics: Juvenile Justice 101
- 10/12/22- What To Know, What To Expect: Juvenile Justice 102
Slides from July 2022
Bulletins
Supporting Students with Disabilities and Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Student Discipline under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, July 2022: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/504-discipline-guidance.pdf
988 resources:
- Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, A New Day or More of the Same? Our Hopes and Fears for 988 (and 911); Washington DC 2022.
http://www.bazelon.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/A-New-Day-or-More-of-the-Same-Our-Hopes-Fears-for-988-and-911.pdf - Official DPH 988 informational slides https://custom.cvent.com/B1A16677F30C401DAE7B033E2BA3BC54/files/event/3bf9b9c619c24f29a8be023ad725d0d5/29308313bff64dbdb1a9c8273ca21f28.pdf
- https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline
- Want to share your experience using the 988 line with PPAL? Email pbows@ppal.net
Current Bills discussed:
- Juvenile justice bill: S.2836 An Act promoting diversion of juveniles to community supervision and services
- An Act Relative to Safer Schools
- An Act Relative to the location of School Resource Officers
- An Act Clarifying consent laws for Adolescents
- An Act relative to child ED boarding
- An Act relative to behavioral health urgent care
- An Act to create a thriving public health response for adolescents
DMH Community and School Therapeutic Support – Family Support
Networking Resources
Community resources:
Project Bread: Free Meals For Kids in MA
Boston Public Schools Accessing MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT During Summer Break factsheet
Books
NAMI’s "Meet Little Monster" Children’s Mental Health Coloring & Activity Book
DMH’s Different Kinds of Hurt: Isaac’s Story
Wendy O’Leary’s THE MONSTER PARADE and other books
Job openings:
Boston Public Schools Job Openings
The Support Network / Consortium Job Openings
Support Groups/ Trainings:
Autism Support Group Every Wednesday. Wandamontes@nafi.com
Youth Move MA Virtual Youth Group every first Tuesday of the month from 5:00pm-6:30pm-- email youthmovema@ppal.net
Sibling support group–https://bit.ly/SiblingSupportFlyer2022
PPAL Events, Workshop and Parent Support Calendar: www.PPAL.net/events
Slides from May 2022
Bulletins
- 988 Line Info
- Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform
- MA Peer Workforce Committee website
- Peer Workforce Committee letter to Health Care Financing Committee
- Children’s Mental Health Campaign written testimony to MA Division of Insurance
- Police in Schools Amendment and Action Steps
- IDEA Equitable Services for Children with Disabilities in Private Schools
- IDEA Equitable Services Resolution Funds 2 Year Allocation (2023)
- DMH Complaint Form
- DCF Complaints: contact Ombudsman’s Office Consumer Line: (617) 748-2444
*Spanish Language Option Available
Networking Resources
- Grief support for children in the Boston area (2 LINKS)
https://www.caredimensions.org/grief-support/childrens-programs/index.cfm
https://childrensroom.org/ - Behavioral Health Support Program at MSPCC for families who are raising foster children with behavioral health challenges
- Express Yourself: Free Family Event at the Wang Theatre w/ chartered bus from Worcester, MAY 26
- PPAL—Current and Upcoming Job Openings
- Brien Center for Mental Health Job Openings (Western Ma)
- PIN/ BAMSI Job Openings
- First Episode Psychosis Clinics (Statewide)
- Sibling Support Group
- Upcoming PPAL Workshops, including Juvenile Justice and Family Partner Community Health Worker Panel:
https://ppal.net/events/ - Adoption Journeys, a great free resource for Adoptive Families!
Slides from March 2022
Bulletins
Networking Resources
- Christine’s + Kathe’s comments and shared resources
- Bridging The Gap, after-school life skills program in Worcester
- Wayside Youth and Family Job Openings
- MASSACHUSETTS ANTI-BULLYING LAW: IEP AND SCHOOLWIDE STRATEGIES TO PREVENT BULLYING OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES by Mass Advocates for Children
- Support Network – Bilingual/Bicultural Family Support Specialist Position–Holyoke
- Peace of Mind Mentoring (free service! 18+ one-on-one mental health support network)
Slides from January 2022
Bulletins
- DESE Grant Awards 2022
- 988 Line
- DESE/DPH Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios
- CHAPTER 222 SCHOOL DISCIPLINE COALITION
- CHAPTER 222 SCHOOL DISCIPLINE COALITION en Español
- Monitoring for Covid Compensatory Services During the 2021-2022 School Year
- Best Practices: Pediatric Emergency Department Psychiatric Boarding
Resources Shared
- Hospital Homebound
- Healthcare Proxy v Guardianship training
- Seven Hills Family Training Videos
- MSPCC Trauma Coach– Position for Foster Parents
- Bilingual Support Specialist Job Opening
- FCSN Job Postings
- FCSN—Vision of Community Conference
- Andover Parent 2 Parent Speaker Series
- The Intersection of Education and the Juvenile Court
- More Than Words Jobs for Youth