UMass Memorial Health has launched a dedicated webpage to provide ongoing updates about Community Healthlink programs as the longtime behavioral health organization continues moving toward eventual closure and services are shifted to other providers.
The new page, last updated July 2, is intended to give clients, families, referral partners and community stakeholders a central source of information about which programs remain open, which have closed and which are transitioning to new operators.
Community Healthlink, a longtime UMass Memorial Health affiliate, has served more than 22,000 people annually across Central Massachusetts through mental health, substance use, homelessness and community-based behavioral health programs. Its future has been the subject of growing concern among city officials, service providers, union representatives and clients as UMass Memorial works to transition services to other organizations.
“Community Healthlink is open and continues to serve clients across the region,” the webpage states.
UMass Memorial Health says almost all Community Healthlink programs remain open and fully operational for now, and clients should continue seeking services as usual. Providers are also being told to continue making referrals through existing channels unless a specific program has been closed or transferred.
“As we work toward the eventual closure of Community Healthlink, our main priority is ensuring that the clients and communities we serve can access the care they need in pursuit of their health, healing and recovery,” the webpage states.
The health system says it is working with several community-based organizations interested in operating Community Healthlink programs, including Behavioral Health Network, Clinical and Support Options, Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Open Sky Community Services, Eliot Community Human Services and Mentor South Bay.
The Worcester programs currently listed as open include Adult Mobile Crisis Intervention at 12 Queen St., Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention at 26 Queen St., Community Crisis Stabilization at 12 Queen St., the Adult Counseling Clinic and Community Behavioral Health Center at 12 Queen St., the Children’s Counseling Clinic and Community Behavioral Health Center at 335 Chandler St., Victim Services at 335 Chandler St., the STEP Clinic at 72 Jaques Ave., PACT 1 and PACT 2 at 26 Queen St., the Community Support Program at 162 Chandler St., Health Home Management at 162 Chandler St., the Tenancy Preservation Program at 162 Chandler St. and substance use services at 12 Queen St., including detox, clinical support services and transitional support services.
Several Worcester-based programs, however, are now listed as closed.
The Juvenile Court Clinic at 225 Main St. closed June 30, with Behavioral Health Network becoming the new operator July 1, according to the update page. Together for Kids, based at 335 Chandler St., also closed June 30, with Empower LGA and The Collaborative for Educational Services taking over the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program in the region.
Specialty Geriatric Services in Nursing Facilities, based at 26 Queen St., closed June 30. Beryl’s House in Worcester also closed June 30. The Worcester Community Housing Program is listed as closed, with clients transitioning to South Middlesex Opportunity Council.
UMass Memorial said plans are being developed program by program, meaning changes will happen at different times. The health system also noted that impacted employees must receive 60 days’ written notice under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act before their Community Healthlink positions end and programs transition to new operators.
“Despite the issuing of these notices, most of these programs will continue to operate and many impacted employees will likely find employment with the new operators,” the webpage states.
In a previous statement to the Worcester Guardian, UMass Memorial Health confirmed that a proposed agreement for Open Sky Community Services to take over several major Worcester-area Community Healthlink programs did not move forward. Those programs included the Community Behavioral Health Center in Worcester, Continuum programs, PACT 1 and 2, ACCS and STAR services.
At the time, UMass Memorial said Community Healthlink and system leadership were continuing to work with local organizations and state agencies to identify alternative options and sustain services as the organization moves toward closure.
The new webpage does not provide a final closure date for Community Healthlink or specific transition timelines for many Worcester programs. UMass Memorial says the page will be updated regularly as plans are finalized.
