Save The Date!

MHSACM’s 9th Annual Provider Celebration

Friday, October 24, 2008, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Westin Hotel in Waltham

GUEST SPEAKER: Attorney General Martha Coakley

MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND PLAN TO JOIN US!

Welcome to MHSACM’s New Members

MHSACM is extremely pleased to announce that four new members have recently joined our ranks. The work that we do together to increase public awareness and to build a larger coalition of interest in funding quality mental health and addiction treatment services is paramount to our mission. Please join us in welcoming these new members to our organization. We are glad to have them on our team!

• Family and Community Solutions Stephanie Kilbride, Executive Director
  77 B Warren Street, Brighton, MA 02135
  
  
• Jeffrey L. Hirsch, Robinson and Cole LLP
  One Boston Place, Boston, MA 02108
  
  
• Steven D. Weil, Doherty, Ciechanowski, Dugan and Cannon, P.C.
  124 Grove Street, Suite 220, Franklin, MA 02038
  
  
• Jerold E. Budinoff, President, STM Technology, Inc.
  147 Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754
  
  

Annual Meeting Round-Up

In May, members were treated to a jam-packed agenda at MHSACM’s Annual Meeting. Dubbed The Executive View, the association’s annual meeting featured remarks by Department of Mental Health Commissioner Barbara Leadholm and Department of Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach. Commissioner Leadholm addressed the crowd first and acknowledged the challenges that providers have faced due to a lack of resources over the years. She then turned the attention to future DMH endeavors and stressed the important role that consumers and families play in mental health services. Commissioner Auerbach then spoke of changes he has made to the Department of Public Health since assuming the role of Commissioner a little over a year ago. Some of those changes include elevating the role of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services and hiring a Legislative Affairs Director to oversee policy development at the State House. He also acknowledged the need to continue to work to improve systems such as EIM/ESM and to continue to concentrate on service provision.

DMH Commissioner Leadholm addresses MHSACM members.	Members listen to DPH Commissioner Auerbach outlining changes he has made.

Following the Commissioners, Charlie Stefanini, campaign coordinator for The Campaign to Strengthen Human Services, made a spot appearance to discuss the upcoming rally on June 10. Attendees were also given the opportunity to participate in the effort on the spot by filling out postcards to send to their Senators and Representatives expressing their support for Senate Bill 65. See page one for more on The Campaign to Strengthen Human Services and Senate Bill 65. Finally, as the meeting drew to a close, Deborah Ekstrom, MHSACM’s incoming Board Chair, took a moment to recognize the efforts of outgoing Chair Ellen Attaliades, complimenting her on her hard work, dedication to MHSACM, and leadership.

Outgoing MHSACM Chair Ellen Attaliades shows off a vase that was given to her by the Board as a token of appreciation for her service.

Massachusetts Standardized Documentation Update

The Massachusetts Standardized Documentation Project (MSDP), under the leadership of MHSACM, has undertaken the process of designing, developing and implementing a standardized documentation process that includes identification of the required clinical processes and specific data elements within each process that are needed to support the delivery of quality recovery focused services that are compliant with the requirements of all applicable funders and national accreditation bodies. Click here for an overview of the project, operational structure, timeline and benefits. Updates will also be posted on the new public MSDP UPDATE sub-website at http://www.mtmservices.org/MSDP-Update.html Please feel free to circulate all information to staff, stakeholders and other interested parties.