DMH PACT Cuts

Clients of North Suffolk Mental Health’s PACT program recently received a letter notifying them that on Friday, November 20 th, the PACT team was informed that their funding had been cut by the Department of Mental Health (DMH), to preserve funding for less intensive services.

The letter continues:

At this point, our team does (not) have a firm or formal date for when our services will be terminated.

We will continue work with every client through this transitional period to find alternative programs and placement, and we will have the support of DMH in doing this.

However, we do feel strongly that PACT services cannot be duplicated, and that this cut will significantly limit the quality of care available to you, your family member, or your ward.

Thus, we ask that you help us take action in fighting this cut. Please contact your local legislator, and Governor Deval Patrick’s office, and ask them to help to fight and to reconsider this cut.

Background/Program Description

The DMH PACT (Program for Assertive Community Treatment) team provides treatment for adults with serious and persistent mental illness who are unable to participate in traditional services, often because of severe cognitive challenges, discomfort in social situations, significant addiction to drugs and alcohol, homelessness, and court involvement. The PACT offers clients only what they need, when they need it, usually at the setting where they live and in a manner that is most acceptable to them. Over 75% of services are provided outside of the office.

The Program

In addition to medication management, general medical issues are addressed, and other common services include housing search, money management, including bill paying and budgeting of daily expenses, career support, helping to plan for employment, education and job training, housekeeping, food shopping and preparation, and dealing with friendships and other social issues. The fact that the team helps clients manage every aspect of their lives enables them to identify problems early on and often intervene effectively. They remain involved through periods of hospitalization and incarceration and gradually help each individual learn how to take better control of their lives and avoid future problems. PACT services are designed to be delivered for an indefinite period of time, as long as the individual served is benefiting from the service and is in need of support.

Referrals

Referrals are made to the program by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Case Managers from the Massachusetts Mental  Health Center, the Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center, and Bay Cove Mental  Health Center can make referrals through their centers’ Director of Community Services. Individuals served by those centers and those who support them should contact those centers’ Case Management services

-From: letter from Daniel D. Gill, LICSW Team Leader, North Suffolk Mental Health Associates to PACT clients, 11/23/2009 PACT Program for Assertive Community Treatment, http://www.baycove.org/pdf/PACT.pdf retrieved 11/25/09. Thanks to Karon Konner for bringing this issue to our attention.

11/09