Event: Preventing the School-to-Prison Pipeline

The school-to-prison pipeline refers to a trend in which punitive school disciplinary policies and practices increase the likelihood that children will become involved with the criminal justice system. This event, which took place on April 12, 2018, featured an innovative, interprofessional partnership between lawyers from Massachusetts Advocates for Children and Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) team members from Dimock Community Service Agency/Justice Resource Institute. The panelists highlighted systems-level approaches to combat the school-to-prison pipeline, including a discussion of current MA laws related to school discipline, safe and supportive schools, and pending legislation related to the use of student arrests in schools.

PubMed article: Role of Patient Navigators in Building a Medical Home for Multiply Diagnosed HIV-Positive Homeless Populations

Through interviews and focus groups, clinic and program staff from nine organizations nationwide provided insights about the role of patient navigators in building a medical home for people living with HIV who are homeless/unstably housed and co-diagnosed with substance use and/or mental health disorders. Results of this qualitative research are presented in this peer-reviewed article which will be published in the Journal of Public Health Management Practice and is available online ahead of print publication. Researchers identified ten key responsibilities of patient navigators as part of the HIV care team that seeks to engage this population in care and treatment. The article concludes that patient navigators may be a key component in creating an effective patient-centered medical home for this population.

Un Caleidoscopio de Cuidado y Servicios: Respondiendo a los retos del VIH y uso de drogas

English version. Un currículo de adiestramiento interdisciplinario desarrollado para aumentar el conocimiento y la conciencia de la relación entre la infección del VIH y el uso de drogas. El currículo de
adiestramiento está diseñado para los proveedores médicos del VIH y de tratamiento de uso de
drogas, con la meta de que aumenten la capacidad de proveer cuidado a los usuarios de drogas
infectados con el VIH.

The Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project: Combining Innovation and Collaboration to Enhance Children’s Mental Health Services in the Primary Care Setting

In this February issue of the Catalyst Center e-newsletter, we highlighted the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project, or MCPAP, as a best practice in increasing access to mental health services for the children who need them. Initiated in Massachusetts in 2004, the MCPAP model has since been implemented in nine other states and is in the planning phase in three more. It is recognized by families and practitioners alike as a best practice in increasing access and quality of mental health care services for children.