Regional Centers for Healthy Communities
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Healthy Communities, has reorganized the Massachusetts
Prevention Center system into a statewide capacity-building system in support of healthier communities and to reduce
alcohol and substance abuse, with an emphasis on youth development. The Massachusetts Regional Center System provides
new and more effective ways to build support for health and safety related initiatives in communities across the
Commonwealth.
The capacity-building system includes six Regional Centers for Healthy Communities (RCHCs).
The RCHCs are funded by Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance
Abuse Services (BSAS).
The goals of the RCHCs are to:
- Promote partnerships among regional and local public health leaders.
- Encourage collaboration among communities to reduce the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, particularly
among youth and young adults.
- Mobilize youth and young adults for leadership and civic action.
- Promote the use of Substance Abuse Environmental Prevention programs/strategies.
Services provided to communities through the RCHCs include:
Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention: RCHCs provide training and technical support and facilitate a process for community
partners across the region, with a focus on science-based substance abuse practices and environmental strategies.
Positive Youth Development: RCHCs provide training for youth, adults, and agencies on integrating positive youth
development principles with community initiatives.
Community Leadership Development: RCHCs are staffed with experts who support and promote leadership development
in Community Health Network Areas (CHNA). Their primary goal is to encourage partnership among a broad spectrum
of community leaders at local and regional levels to ensure a comprehensive, inclusive vision and plan for the health
of all people.
Data and Support: RCHCs provide communities with up to date research and data assistance to support best practices
across each region.
Resource Libraries: Each RCHC maintains a resource library that provides free loans of current and culturally
appropriate prevention resources including videos, curricula, books, and health data. Many materials are available
in languages other than English.
Western Massachusetts Center for Healthy Communities
Cooley Dickinson Hospital
489 Whitney Avenue, 2nd floor
Holyoke, MA 01040
413-540-0600 (phone)
413-540-0340 (fax)
www.westernmasshealthycommunities.org
Central Massachusetts Center for Healthy Communities
A Program of LUK, Inc.
44 Front Street, Suite 280
Worcester, MA 01608-1733
508-438-0515 (phone)
508-438-0516 (fax)
www.cmchc.org
Northeast Center for Healthy Communities
A Program of the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
One Canal Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
978-688-2323 (phone)
978-975-7779 (fax)
www.nc4hc.org
Regional Center for Healthy Communities (serving suburban Boston and Metrowest)
Mount Auburn Hospital, Center for Community Health
552 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 203
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-441-0700 (phone)
617-441-0555 (fax)
www.healthier-communities.org/
Southeast Center for Health Communities
A Program of Health Care of Southeastern Massachusetts, Inc.
942 West Chestnut Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-583-2350 / 1-800-530-2770 (phone)
508-583-2611 (fax)
www.preventionworks.org
Greater Boston Center for Healthy Communities
A Program of the Medical Foundation
622 Washington Street, 2nd floor
Dorchester, MA 02124-3548
617-423-4337 (phone)
617-282-3950 (fax)
www.tmfnet.org/rchc
Massachusetts Partnership for Healthy Communities
622 Washington Street
Boston , MA 02124
617-451-0049 (phone)
617-282-3950 (fax)
www.tmfnet.org/partnership
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