The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PETITION OF:
Steven A. Tolman
Carl M. Sciortino, Jr.
Edward M. Augustus, Jr.
David Paul Linsky
Ruth B. Balser
John D. Keenan
Kathi-Anne Reinstein
Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.
Louis L. Kafka
Martin J. Walsh
Kay Khan
Walter F. Timilty
Mark C. Montigny
Jarrett T. Barrios
Robert A. Antonioni
William N. Brownsberger
John P. Fresolo
Frank I. Smizik
John W. Scibak
Denise Provost
Michael F. Rush
Christine E. Canavan
Ellen Story
Douglas W. Petersen
Barbara A. L'Italien
Matthew C. Patrick
Gloria L. Fox
Mary E. Grant
Stephen L. DiNatale
Theodore C. Speliotis
Stephen R. Canessa
Elizabeth A. Malia
William Lantigua
Richard J. Ross
Patricia D. Jehlen
Steven J. D'Amico
Kevin J. Murphy
Richard R. Tisei
Benjamin Swan
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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.
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An Act authorizing the Department of Mental Health to establish teen drop in centers . |
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1: Chapter 19 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
Section 22. The department shall establish 5 pilot teen mental health drop-in
centers for youths age 10 to 20 pursuant to this section. The centers shall
provide free, confidential access to licensed mental health professionals as
well as trained peer counselors. Centers shall include a “safe room”, so
called, and an internet-connected computer station for youths who wish to
research their condition and find communities online. Centers shall be open
for minimum of four hours after the close of the local middle and high school.
Centers shall provide no less than 10 hours per week of access to a licensed mental health professional with experience in treating youth. Centers shall provide access to no less than 2 paid peer counselors who have had at least 10 hours of training. Centers shall provide referrals for services beyond their scope, such as inpatient care and substance abuse programs.
The centers host sites shall be selected from among existing youth and community centers pursuant to a request for proposals. Such requests shall include
(a) data showing that their communities have a substantial unmet need for teen mental health services;
(b) information on the accessibility of the facilities to youth without cars;
(c) specific plans for outreach, and a demonstrated ability to publicize their services to local youth; and
(d) information on the center’s advisory board, which shall include 15 members, at least 8 of whom shall be under age 20. The advisory boards shall design the layout of centers and meet annually to discuss improvements. Applicants shall certify that youth members had a central role in center design, including the layout of the safe room and other rooms.
Selections of centers from among those applying shall be based on the recommendations of a screening board established by the department, which shall include at least one mental health professional, a community member from each count, and a majority of members under age 20, half of whom shall be nominated by Teens Leading The Way.