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February 2024 PARENT/PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY LEAGUE, INC.

Results Are In! Question of the Month

Advocacy Edition!

Town Hall with DMH Re-Cap! www.PPAL.net

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Welcome to 2024, dear friends. Famous (and sometimes controversial) cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” At PPAL, we see examples of this every day in our work with families, with other mental health organizations, and with our state partners. Individuals, devoted to our children, coming together, time and time again, to work toward change –improving mental health access and care for children and families in Massachusetts. As warrior parents and caregivers, we understand how important it is to come together. We understand how important it is to be committed. And we certainly understand how important it is to be thoughtful and purposeful. We welcome you, if you are at a place in your journey that allows it, to join us– thoughtful, committed, citizens – in changing the world. It won’t be easy. But it will be worth it.

Be well,

Keep In Touch With PPAL!

Pam Sager

Phone: (866)815-8122 Email: info@ppal.net Website: PPAL.net Facebook: facebook.com/PPAL.net YouTube: @PPALforFamilies

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Table of Contents PPAL’s Workshops........................................................................ 4 PPAL’s Parent Support Groups.................................................. 5 Parent Advocacy........................................................................... 6 PPAL’s Staff Spotlight.................................................................. 12 Welcome, New Staff!.................................................................... 13 Recap: Town Hall with the Department of Mental Health.... 14 Legislative Advocacy .................................................................. 16 MA Bill Updates............................................................................. 18 PPAL’s Policy Partners!............................................................... 20 December Question of the Month Results.............................. 24 January Question of the Month Results.................................. 25 Multicultural Outreach Team Updates..................................... 26 Juvenile Justice Team Updates................................................. 27 Youth Move Massachusetts........................................................ 28 Success-Fest 9.............................................................................. 29

www.PPAL.net

CONNECT WITH US!

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

CLICK ON A TITLE FOR MORE INFO! or visit http://ppal.net/events/

Panel de Trabajadores de la Salud de la Comunidad Tuesday 20 Febrero, 6 pm -7:30 pm Maximizing Your Family Partners Wednesday, February 26, 9 am-3 pm Family Partner Community Health Worker Panel Tuesday, February 27, 1 pm-2:30 pm What to Know, What to Expect: Juvenile Justice 102 Wednesday, February 28, 12 pm-2 pm Guide To Supporting Childrens Mental Health for First Responders Wednesday, February 28, 10 am-1:30 pm Building Partnerships With Youth Thursday, February 29, 2 pm- 3:30 pm My Kid Won’t Go To School: What Now? Thursday, February 29, 10 am - 12 pm

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Parent/Caregiver Support

No sign up required for most groups. Groups that do require registration or booking include an email but are not clickable

PPAL.net/events/

ASK THE ADVOCATE

MONDAY

Grupo de Apoyo Hispano

VIRTUAL / PHONE BY APPOINTMENT

VIRTUAL martes

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

parentsupportgroup@ ppal.net

Parents Raising LGBTQIA+ Children

TUESDAY North Central MA Family Support Group

IN PERSON & VIRTUAL

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

VIRTUAL

Join Our Community on Facebook:

CLICK FOR MORE INFO!

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM North Central MA Caregivers of Teens and Young Adults

PPAL'S PAGE PPAL EN ESPAÑOL PARENTS OF TRANSITIONAGE YOUTH GROUP

IN PERSON & VIRTUAL

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Click support groups to get zoom link unless otherwise indicated

YOUTH MOVE MA

WEDNESDAY Parent Support Group VIRTUAL

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

THURSDAY Grandparents Connections

VIRTUAL 2nd Thursday each month

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Caregivers of Teens and Young Adults

Grandparents Connections

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

VIRTUAL

VIRTUAL 4th Thursday each month

FRIDAY Family Connections VIRTUAL 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

IN PERSON for Lynn Families and children *Pre-Registration Required Email Dalene: ptahsw@verizon.net Every Other Friday

Sibling Support Program VIRTUAL 1st Thursday each month *Pre-Registration Required emily.rubin@umassmed.edu

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Parent Support Group VIRTUAL

5:00 - 7:00 PM www.PPAL.net

Are you an Advocate?

How do you answer that question?

According to dictionary.com, an “advocate” is one who pleads the cause of another, one who defends or maintains a cause or proposal, or one who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group. If you are a parent, caregiver, or family member of someone with mental health challenges, like our staff here at PPAL, your answer should be a resounding “YES”! You ARE an advocate! And guess what? Your best advocacy tool is right in your back pocket!

The Impact Of Your Story

Personal stories can have a profound impact. In fact, it's not unusual that lives are changed, or new directions sought, after personal stories are heard and told. When you share your story with others, you deepen their understanding of the issues, increase their compassion for children and families who are struggling, and maybe motivate them to become advocates. When these stories are shared with policymakers and providers, you help them make decisions that lead to more supportive policies and practices in mental health. Of course, your story is also your child’s story. So, it’s always important to ask them whether it’s ok to share. The benefit to them, of course, is that they then become comfortable sharing their own story which not only empowers them, but influences others as well. Want more specific advice about sharing your story for advocacy? Register for PPAL’s workshop The Ripple Effect, where we will go into detail about sharing your story and other topics to prepare you to begin advocating in your community!

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Knowing The Value Of Lived Experience Parents can be powerful change agents. A good example of the voice of lived experience as a change catalyst is some recent testimony of a parent before the US Dept of Health & Human Services’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS is the government agency that approves medicaid billing codes which may then be adopted by MassHealth for use in Massachusetts. Without billing codes, clinicians are not reimbursed for services, and services aren’t provided.

This parent shared his lived experience with his son with early psychosis. His testimony included how a particular treatment, known as Coordinated Specialty Care-Early Psychosis (CSC-EP), had made a huge, long-lasting difference in his son’s life. There were no billing codes for that treatment. As a result, CSC-EP programs were not being established. Within several months after testifying, CMS adopted CSC-EP billing codes. Such a win, and at the federal level no less! A personal story, with lived experience, made a difference.

Did you know? PPAL exists because of personal stories and lived experience. Over 30 years ago, parents with a story met together in a living room to discuss their experiences getting support for their children’s mental health. Their stories and lived experience banded them together to create PPAL, through which thousands of families have found their voice and strengthened their own and other families over the years! We are ever so thankful for those that went before us to lay this incredible foundation. www.PPAL.net

The Power of Voice

Recently at PPAL, we asked parents/caregivers what would help them feel more comfortable advocating. 70% of them responded that a better understanding of systems & political processes surrounding mental health would help. 63% wanted to participate in trainings or meetings for parents/caregivers like themselves. So, we’ve devoted this newsletter issue to helping you better understand systems and political processes in Massachusetts. First, policies. What are they really? Policies, or the lack thereof, shape our everyday experiences: what we can or cannot do or wear, or where we can or cannot go or be. Usually policies are developed in good faith, but all too often, they have unintended consequences or miss the mark. Why? Often because they do not have the input of the people that are affected by them. Sometimes they’re misinterpreted or misrepresented, even by accident! An often-cited policy banning ALL cell phones in the psychiatric boarding area of one Massachusetts hospital’s emergency department is an example of a misrepresentation or miscommunication that can happen. Predictably, this was a big problem for families who, accompanying children in need of care, were waiting days or longer without access to their phones. They couldn’t leave their child alone in the hospital, and therefore had no way to contact jobs, other family members, or their other children. When a waiting parent brought up the issue, they were told a “policy” informed the cellphone ban. When they asked to see the policy (great advocating!), it turned out there wasn’t a policy at all! The “cell phone ban” was lifted. Thanks to the advocacy efforts of one parent, conditions were improved for all future families in that situation! One person can make a difference.

Next, do your research. Your voice is most powerful when you understand your audience. What is their purpose and mission? What is their goal? What constraints do they have? Are there common purposes? Can you find common ground? Going in knowing what motivates them can help you shape how you share your story and what parts of your lived experience might have the most impact.

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Getting Started If you want to start advocating more but don’t know where to start, a good first step might be to become comfortable providing feedback. The fact is, providing feedback (whether complaints, grievances, or compliments) lets others know when something is or is not working. Often, we feel guilty about providing negative feedback, or feel that we will be labeled a complainer. The more you practice giving feedback, particularly paying attention to your delivery and audience, the better you’ll get at it. If you have feedback to give, give it. We can assure you, your child’s school, your insurance company, your child’s doctor’s office, your legislator, and even us here at PPAL need to hear it! Your feedback may be the first step to creating change, and is certainly a great way to begin advocating for your child.

Next, you may want to consider joining an Advisory Board, Commission, Committee, or other group of community members who help to set policies. It is critical to have parent voice and lived experience in these sort of policy-setting groups. PPAL encourages parents to seek out groups based on your interest or involvement. For example, if your family is involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), you may be interested in joining a DCF Family Advisory Committee. If you want to get more involved with your child’s school, you may want to join as a member of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) or run for School Committee! Your voice in positions like these will help ensure that the policies and decisions that are made reflect what families and youth actually want and need. See the next page for more information about specific boards you may be interested in joining. Let us know if you’re interested in opportunities like these, as PPAL often has an opportunity to recommend family members for open positions. And by the way, for the 57% of you who said you’d like to better understand schoolrelated services; the 46% of you who said you’d like to better understand available mental health services; and the 41% of you who said you’d like to talk with other parents/caregivers, please check out the many trainings, meetings, and parent groups PPAL offers at www.ppal.net. We’ll see you there! www.PPAL.net

Where To Share Family Voice: Department of Mental Health (DMH) Site Area Boards Department of Disability Services (DDS) Citizen Advisory Boards (CAB) Department of Children and Families (DCF) Family Advisory Committee Area Boards Department of Youth Services (DYS) Family Advisory Council Department of Public Health (DPH) Department Of Health Boards Or Councils Youth Voice Statewide Young Adult Council (SYAC) MassAbility (formerly Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission MRC) Advisory Boards Insurance Companies Advisory Boards Or Councils School Districts Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) School Board/ Meetings Cities May Have Specific Boards For: Race And Equity Transportation Health And Wellness Disability Specific 10

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The Ripple Effect: Using Family Experience to Inform and Influence Policy Change Visit our Events Calendar https://ppal.net/events/ The purpose of this workshop is to adequately prepare family members to advocate and serve on committees and advisory boards. Family experience can help shape the quality of services and supports delivered, but it’s important to do this effectively. This workshop is for Parents/Caregivers that are ready to advance their advocacy skills in child-serving systems and/or policy.

Held Every Month on Zoom

The Inside Track A PPAL Briefing

Join Us Every Other Month on Zoom

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.

Visit our Events Calendar https://ppal.net/events/ www.PPAL.net

's Staff Spotlight Meet Beth Bergstrom, PPAL’s Assistant Program Manager, Central Mass! What’s one interesting fact about you? I grew up on a lake, which is my favorite place in the world. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Steak! What have you been enjoying lately? I’ve been crocheting prayer shawls, using yarn left to me by my mother when she passed away. I donate them to my mom’s church.

“I like what we do, I like what we believe in, and I like what I learn here every day!”

Have you had the chance to meet PPAL’s Central Mass Assistant Program Manager, Beth Bergstrom? You may have seen her at a resource fair or in a PPAL workshop or support group. Beth helps to coordinate all of the great work going on in PPAL’s Central Mass Area, and she is an enthusiastic and empathetic advocate for both her family and the families she supports. Prior to coming to PPAL, she worked in HeadStart and was a behavior tech for school-aged children. Beth has also been the Special Education Parent Action Committee (SEPAC) Chair in her district for 6+ years! Becoming a single mom young with young kids, Beth had to figure out the system by herself. One of her children had a really cool teacher who mentored Beth and helped her find resources and support for her family. She values being able to use her family’s experiences to support other families who are going through it right now.

To seek support from PPAL’s family support staff, fill out our Family Support Request Form!

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PPAL is Growing! Welcome, New Staff! Liliana Gatzios Family Support Specialist What’s one interesting fact about you? I have lived in Mexico, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Boston. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Burgers What have you been enjoying lately? I love the beach and nature, as well as taking pictures. That’s my happy place.

Lydia Proulx Special Project Specialist, Youth Move and Juvenile Justice What’s one interesting fact about you? I played the bassoon for 13 years. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pizza or fresh fruit. What have you been enjoying lately? Crocheting, hanging out with my dog, and video games!

Shannon Coler

Anna Cady Clouse Youth Move Youth Peer Support Specialist What’s one interesting fact about you? I have lived in five states. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Soup! What have you been enjoying lately? Going on long car drives www.PPAL.net

Family Support Specialist, Juvenile Justice What’s one interesting fact about you? I have ten guinea pigs. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Avocado sushi or kimbap (Korean sushi) What have you been enjoying lately? I have two daughters on our local swim team, and watching them at meets and practices has been amazing.

Gabriela Ortega Multicultural Outreach Specialist What’s one interesting fact about you? I like reality TV shows. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Paella What have you been enjoying lately? I love to go to cinemas and museums by myself. 13

PPAL Hosts Town Hall With The Department Of Mental Health

DMH Commissioner Brooke Doyle

DMH Deputy Commissioner Charlene Zuffante

Each January for the past several years, PPAL has been fortunate to host a Town Hall meeting featuring the Department of Mental Health (DMH). This is an opportunity to hear updates from DMH about their services, initiatives, and all they do to support our children and youth. It is also a time for families, caregivers, and individuals to give feedback or ask questions. We were joined this year by the DMH Commissioner Brooke Doyle, and the new DMH Deputy Commissioner of Child, Youth, and Family Charlene Zuffante! Commissioner Doyle covered progress that the Behavioral Health Help Line and the Community Behavioral Health Centers have made in the year since their roll out. Both, part of the Massachusetts Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform, have served thousands of people since opening and have helped reduce visits to hospital emergency departments. The Commissioner acknowledged that there is still much to do. PPAL asked the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner to talk about a relatively new DMH service known as Program for Assertive Community Treatment for Youth (PACTY). PACT-Y is “a comprehensive service for individuals under the age of 22 with serious emotional disturbance who have not responded well to traditional office and/or community-based services and interventions, and may benefit from intensive, coordinated, and comprehensive services that are provided by one integrated, multidisciplinary, community-based team - the PACT-Y Team.”

PACT-Y Services include: Comprehensive assessment Psychiatry including prescribing Nursing Care coordination Counseling and psychotherapy Peer supports 14

Substance use interventions Occupational therapy Educational support Assistance with accessing health care services Crisis response and intervention if needed

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DMH Addresses Siloed Care The conversation moved on to discuss a topic near and dear to the hearts of many parents and caregivers - siloed care. This phrase, commonly heard in the disability community, refers to the limited communication and coordination among different childand youth-serving agencies in the Commonwealth that a child or youth may need for support. The limited communication and coordination results in families having to seek out support from a multitude of places - all of which operate separately, therefore resulting in no coordination of care.

For most of us, the word “silo” conjures images of tall, round farm buildings that store products like grain, each one standing separately. That’s exactly what it feels like for families whose child needs services from, for example, DMH and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Even though we know it is very common to have significant mental health needs along with a developmental disability such as Autism, it's often impossible to receive support from both agencies, and there is certainly no coordination of care.

So PPAL wanted to know what DMH is doing about breaking down those silos (DDS, DPH, and DCF could be asked the same thing). Are there any improvements coming in interagency communication and collaborative work? Deputy Commissioner Zuffante indicated that DMH is working hard to be creative and collaborative. She says they have a long way to go, especially regarding Autism and mental health. Policy change is required to eliminate these silos. (Sounds like a call to action for all of you Advocates!) PPAL is also working towards eliminating siloed care and will be focusing on it in the coming months, including addressing problems with treatment related to mental health and Autism. Pam Sager, PPAL Executive Director, asked families to type in the chat if their child has comorbid Autism/ Mental Health needs, and over 20 families spoke up in the meeting. Are you a family struggling with finding the right support for your youth with co-occurring mental health, Autism, or other conditions? Please contact us at PPAL and share your story. What’s coming up for DMH? Commissioner Doyle shared that the DMH budget is complicated. During COVID, DMH, like many other state agencies, got federal money that allowed it to grow its services. As we move out of COVID, we are moving away from these one-time funds. The 2024 DMH budget is looking ok. DMH is trying to keep up the growth that started during COVID, “but 2025 will be a tight year.”

www.PPAL.net

Starting the Legislative Process in MA

In Massachusetts, legislative sessions are two years long (called a biennial session) and begin on the odd numbered year. The current biennial session is Massachusetts’s 193rd legislative session, formally called the 193rd Session of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Within each biennial session, the first year is known as the “first annual session” and the second year is the “second annual session.” We are currently in the second annual session of the 193rd legislative session. All legislation to be considered during a biennial session must be filed by the third Friday in January of the first annual session - in the case of this session, by 1/20/2023. Legislation is filed in the form of “bills” to be considered by the legislature - made up of the Massachusetts Senate and the House of Representatives. Who can file legislation? Any Massachusetts citizen can file proposed legislation through their legislators. In addition, Massachusetts Representatives, Senators, and the Governor may all file bills. Often, bills are actually proposed and written by one or more interested organizations, such as the Children’s Mental Health Campaign, who then find legislators willing to file the bill. The legislator filing the bill is called a “sponsor.” All bills must have a primary sponsor. Legislators may not always support the bills they file, but may do so “by request” of their constituents. There are approximately 8,000 bills filed in each biennial session in Massachusetts. Only a few become law. Find current bills here

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Joint Committees

Once bills are filed, they are assigned to Joint Committees made up of House & Senate members who spend time learning about the bills through hearings, testimony, and conversations with folks both for and against the proposed legislation. There are 34 Joint Committees in the Massachusetts legislature. PPAL typically works with the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities and the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. See all Joint Committees here Joint Committee hearings are an excellent way to advocate for policy change. This year, PPAL families testified on a variety of different bills, including Senate Bill 101/House Bill 134, An Act regarding families and children in need of assistance https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H134) and House Bill 1979, An Act establishing a child and adolescent behavioral health implementation coordinating council (https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1979). Testimony can be in person, by zoom, or even in writing. This is where your voice can really be heard! If you are interested in testifying or otherwise supporting any pending legislation, let us know. Legislators truly want to hear from you. And, there is strength in numbers! Based on the testimony and information they’ve gathered, in early February of the second annual session (called “Joint Rule 10”), Joint Committees decide which bills will move forward in the legislative process. At that time, they decide whether bills “ought to pass,” “ought not to pass,” should be further studied, or should have the deadline for consideration extended to a specified date. It is typical that bills are re-worked and filed many times before they pass.

www.PPAL.net

Pending Bills:

S.794, An Act relative to MassHealth reimbursement to schools Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Report date- March 27, 2024 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S794 H.1979, An Act establishing a child and adolescent behavioral health implementation coordinating council Referred to Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Deadline extended until March 15. https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1979 H.497 / S.240, An Act relative to mental health education Joint Committee on Education Deadline extended until May 15 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S240

H.1494 / S.993, An Act updating bail procedures for justice-involved youth Referred to Joint Committee on the Judiciary No information available https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S993/

H.605 / S.2391, An Act removing barriers to behavioral health services Referred to Joint Committee on Financial Services Favorable, Pending in the Senate Clerk’s Office https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/ H1145 S.1253 / H.1145, An Act to remove administrative barriers to behavioral health services Referred to Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Deadline extended until May 15 https://malegislature.gov/Bills/19 3/S1253 H.989 / S.610, An Act for supportive care for serious mental illness Referred to Joint Committee on Financial Services Favorable, Pending in the Senate Clerk’s Office https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/ H989

S.101 / H.134, An Act relative to families and children in need of assistance Referred to Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Favorable, Pending in the Senate Clerk’s Office https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H134

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I’m Fired Up! What Should I Do? Find current bills here Learn more about issues that are important to you! Stay Informed: subscribe to organizations who report out on legislative updates! Jump to page 22 to find more info on PPAL’s legislative partner organizations. Contact your State Senator and Representative Look up yours here

Ask your legislators to support the bills that are important to you and your family. Legislators don’t need hundreds of requests to support bills– just a few from their community let them know how important it is. Your voice really makes a difference in local issues!

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=OgVKvqTItto

Remember this classic? Watch School House Rock’s explanation of how bills become laws!

Learn more about how the Massachusetts Legislature works!

www.PPAL.net

PPAL’s Policy Partners!

PPAL works with a variety of different organizations to create legislative change

Health Care For All Rally At The Statehouse Health Care For All (HCFA) advocates for health justice in Massachusetts by working to promote health equity and ensure coverage and access for all. They have been working hard to get Senate Bill 740, “An Act to ensure equitable health coverage for children,” passed. In January, HCFA hosted a rally at the statehouse in support of the Cover All Kids bill. PPAL was excited to see family voice centered, with live translation from Spanish to English allowing a mother to tell the story of her child finally accessing crucial health care.

Why is healthcare access for children something PPAL promotes? Health care access is prevention for mental health needs. Everyone has mental health, and there may be a time in any of our lives that we need to access mental health care. In Massachusetts alone, as many as 50,000 children live without access to adequate health care. The stress created by not having access to health care can cause mental health needs. Consider supporting HCFA and let your legislators know you support the Cover All Kids bill!

Continue learning about PPAL’s Partner Organizations over the next few pages!

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The National Federation Of Families

PPAL is a proud affiliate member of the National Federation of Families (NFF). The NFF is a nationwide family-run organization working towards improving issues surrounding children's mental health and/or substance use. NFF was first created by a group of parents who worked out of a family home– just like PPAL! Today, it runs a national network of over 120 family-run organizations and other interested organizations, is responsible for launching Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and advocates at the national level for families and children experiencing mental health challenges.

The Children’s Mental Health Campaign The Children’s Mental Health Campaign (CMHC) is a robust statewide network established in 2007 that advocates for policy and systems change to ensure that all children in Massachusetts have access to resources to prevent, diagnose, and treat behavioral health issues in a timely, effective, and compassionate way. PPAL, a founding member, is one of 6 partner organizations, along with: The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) Health Care for All (HCFA) Health Law Advocates (HLA) Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH) CMHC focuses on: Legislative Advocacy: to better protect children’s behavioral health care and services; Budget Advocacy: to protect funding for services vital to children’s behavioral health care; Regulatory and Administrative Advocacy: to improve regulations and agency policies that impact children’s behavioral health services.

www.PPAL.net

Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)

In 2006, Massachusetts joined the Annie E. Casey Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) to focus on reducing the high numbers of children incarcerated for lowlevel offenses. JDAI works towards systems change for youth, reducing incarceration, probation transformation, diversion, and prevention. JDAI is active in 6 of the 11 judicial districts in Massachusetts: Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Suffolk and Worcester. PPAL is a proud member of the JDAI steering committees across Massachusetts.

Citizens for Juvenile Justice (CFJJ)

Citizens for Juvenile Justice advocates for equitable statewide systemic reform at childserving state agencies, such as the Department of Youth Services (DYS). An independent non-profit started in 1994, CFJJ was the only organization at the time working for the reform of youth-serving systems in Massachusetts. PPAL meets regularly with CFJJ through the Massachusetts Coalition for Juvenile Justice Reform. The Coalition advocates for legal system reforms that: prevent the unnecessary legal system involvement of youth promote healthier outcomes and reduce harms of legal systems involvement promote transparency, accountability, and equity through budget and legislative reforms

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Massachusetts Coalition for Special Education Funding The mission of the Massachusetts Coalition for Special Education Funding is to fully fund the Commonwealth’s special education circuit breaker program.

What is the Special Education Circuit Breaker? The Commonwealth Special Education Reimbursement Program, commonly known as the Circuit Breaker Program, provides financial assistance to public school districts to offset the cost of delivering high-cost special education services to students. Since implementation in fiscal year 2004, the program has provided more than $4.8 billion to districts across the Commonwealth. Learn More Here

Mental Health Coalition The Massachusetts Mental Health Coalition (MHC) is composed of organizations that represent individuals with mental health conditions and their support networks, providers, and professionals. As a group, MHC advocates for improved access to mental health services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Mental Health Coalition Members American Nurses Association Mass, Inc. Mass Association for Mental Health Association for Behavioral Healthcare Mass Association of Behavioral Health Systems Health Care for All Mass Mental Health Counselors Association Mass Health and Hospital Association Parent Professional Advocacy League Health Law Advocates Mass Psychological Association Mass Psychiatric Society Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee National Alliance on Mental Illness, Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses www.PPAL.net

PPAL's Question of the Month December 2023 Results School and post-school transitions? What families are saying... Families find it hard to get the information they need to understand what comes next in a child’s life with regard to school or post-school transitions.

30%

Roughly 1 in 3 families has not gotten transition support.

44%

Nearly half of all families felt they didn’t have the information they needed.

Families are resourceful and look to a wide range of organizations and people for transition-related information.

41%

Schools Community Supports

37%

Family/Friends

29%

Therapist/Other Providers

23%

Social Media

44%

(ex: ARC or Federation for Children with Special Needs)

If you need help from PPAL right now, request family support here or call us toll free at (866) 815-8122. 24

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PPAL's Question of the Month January 2024 Results Restraints and Seclusion? What families are saying... Two-thirds of families reported that their child has been restrained, secluded or both in a school setting.

76%

59%

40%

SECLUDED

RESTRAINED

BOTH

47%

of those children were in grades K-3 the first time it happened.

26% 4th-6th grade 14% 7th-8th grade 14% 9th-12th grade

More than half of the families reported that nothing happened as a result of the restraint or seclusion. When it did: 30% of the time the child was suspended 37% of the time the child regulated and stayed at school

If you need help from PPAL right now, request family support here or call us toll free at (866) 8158122. www.PPAL.net

Multicultural Outreach Team Updates The Multicultural Outreach team is on the move! We are excited to welcome our new Multicultural Outreach Specialist, Gabriela Ortega! Recent connections include:

LifeScene Family & Children’s Service, a group empowering youth, parents, and families through programs and resources that strengthen life skills; Lynn Community Health Center, Lynn Women Infants and Children (WIC) and Lynn Hispanic Scholarships Fund; Asian Women for Health; Organizations Chinatown;

Multicultural Outreach Specialist Gabriela Ortega & Multicultural Outreach Coordinator Johana Rodriguez

Want To Learn More Or Connect With Our Multicultural Outreach Team?

and

businesses

throughout

You Inc./Seven Hills Foundation, where we collaborated on a Spanish language workshop series on Mental Health with almost 50 participants; and Several organizations that have Spanish speaking families that may be interested in joining our Hispanic Support Group.

Contact Info@PPAL.net JRodriguez@PPAL.net

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Juvenile Justice Update:

Make Sure the First Responders in Your Community Ask For This! LEARN MORE ABOUT

CHILDRENS MENTAL HEALTH Understand child and adolescent behaviors Considerations for specific mental health needs, including substance use Understand specific risk concerns

TRAUMA SUPPORT

GUIDE TO SUPPORTING CHILDRENS MENTAL HEALTH FOR FIRST RESPONDERS Our free resource booklet will be given to all participants!

WHO IS THIS TRAINING FOR?

Police, First Responders, Mobile Crisis, Community Behavioral Health Centers, and all community members interested in supporting crisis!

Guidelines for effective interactions Understanding risk, including suicide prevention Approaches that work with children Know where to direct families for further support

FAMILY EXPERIENCE Understand why families call 911 What families need police/ first responders to know What improves outcomes for families How to utilize family knowledge

Email Training@PPAL.net for more information! PPAL’s Juvenile Justice Team: Juvenile Justice Program Manager Candice Gabrey, Associate Director Meri Viano, and Juvenile Justice Family Support Specialist Raquel Negron

www.PPAL.net

Youth Move Massachusetts Youth Move Mass, the statewide Massachusetts Chapter of Youth Move National, has been busy engaging youth and young adults through the monthly Statewide Young Adult Council (SYAC), trainings, and social media. Check out more info below! New Meeting Time!!! Youth Adcovates Eden, Mayra, AJ. Youth Coordinator Colby Mills

Every Fourth Tuesday Join us for networking, guest speakers, and open conversation!

3:30-5 PM on Zoom Email CMills@PPAL.net

One of Youth Move Massachusetts and PPAL’s workshops, Building Youth Engagement, facilitated by Colby Mills and Beth Bergstrom, PPAL’s Assistant Program Manager for Central Mass, was presented for Easterseals recently! It was great to connect! We have additional trainings scheduled for: Thursday, 2/29 @ 2 PM - Register Registration TBA: Wednesday, 3/13 @ 10:30 AM Thursday, 4/4 @ 10 AM Thursday, 6/6 @ 10 AM Click here for PPAL’s Events Calendar, or click here to subscribe to PPAL and receive event invitations directly to your inbox!

Don’t forget to check out Youth Move MA on social media!

The Youth Advocates have been working hard to post meaningful content on Instagram! Take a look @youthmovemassachusetts.

(866) 815-8122

Success-Fest 9: H.E.A.L.ing Together We Can Inspire Change.

What: Success-Fest is an annual inspirational professional conference for Young Adults with mental health needs and their families. Based on the idea that young adults can and do recover from mental health challenges when they can rely on their own resilience, as well as the support of their allies, parents, friends and providers. When: March 15, 2024, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Where: Nichols College in Dudley, MA!

Find more information here! www.PPAL.net

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” Angela Davis

PARENT/PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY LEAGUE, INC. www.PPAL.net

(866) 815-8122