August 4, 2004

Cities of Cambridge and Somerville Receive Award for Child Mental Health Improvement

The communities of Cambridge and Somerville have been awarded a generous grant of $50,000 from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of Health Resources and Services Administration.

The Institute for Community Health (ICH) and the Medical Care Foundation announced today that they were awarded the two year planning grant to work with parents, providers, schools, youth, ethnic advocacy organizations and community based organizations to design a model of care that will integrate mental health and substance abuse services, with physical health care.

"This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for the cities of Cambridge and Somerville to work together collaboratively on bridging the gap between the behavioral and physical health care systems," said Karen Hacker, MD, Executive Director of the Institute for Community Health. "This will help us build on the collaborative work already taking place in both communities."

"With heightened concern about heroin use and suicidal ideation and behavior among youth and young adults, and a lack of comprehensive treatment options, this is a timely opportunity to proactively plan much needed health system changes" said Vicente Sanabria, Director of Somerville Cares About Prevention. "This is a great opportunity for community residents – who directly experience the challenges of a fragmented service system – to have their voices count in a dynamic planning process."

"It is wonderful to see this planning effort funded in our community. Children’s mental health has been a priority for the city and this project will help improve the service system," said Harold Cox, Chief Public Health Officer, Cambridge Public Health Department.

At the end of the two year process the group plans to develop a participatory model of integrated care that is culturally and developmentally appropriate, sustainable, and most importantly patient and family centered.

The Institute for Community Health is a unique collaboration of three Massachusetts health care systems that work to improve the health of Cambridge, Somerville, and surrounding cities and towns by creating innovative health programs and policies.

Founding members are the Cambridge Health Alliance, the Mount Auburn Hospital of CareGroup, and the Massachusetts General Hospital of Partners HealthCare. Based primarily in Cambridge and Somerville ICH has a strong track record of enhancing existing efforts by assisting community groups in effecting change and developing action programs.

The first meeting of the executive committee will be held on Tuesday, August 17th from 4-6pm at the Family Center in Somerville.

For more information, or to become involved, please contact the Institute for Community Health at 617-665-3857.