CBHI For Families

MassHealth Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI)

CBHI Brochure and Referral Form

MassHealth Behavioral Health Services for Children and Youth is an informative brochure that describes home and community-based behavioral health services available to MassHealth enrolled children and youth age 0-20. This brochure includes descriptions for CBHI services (Intensive Care Coordination, Family-based Intensive Treatment, In-Home Therapy, Family Support and Training, Therapeutic Mentoring Services, In Home Behavioral Health Services, and Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention), as well as other MassHealth services for children and youth. This brochure provides family-friendly descriptions of the enhanced behavioral-health services available to certain children and youth, aged 20 and younger, who are enrolled in MassHealth.

The Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI): Standard Referral Form is a document collecting uniform information for any child or youth referred to any CBHI service. The form can be sent directly to providers of CBHI Services. Contact information for these services can be found on Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA).

The brochure is available in the following languages:

• English;
• Spanish;
• Haitian Creole;
• Portuguese;
• Chinese; and
• Vietnamese.

You can download the English brochure below or complete the order form for bulk orders.

How to Apply for Health Coverage for Your Child

If your family is not on MassHealth, this guide will show you how to apply for healthcare coverage under MassHealth so that your child can access CBHI services.

Preparing for Your Appointment

This resource can help you prepare for an appointment with your child's pediatrician or other behavioral health provider when you have concerns about your child.

CANS Family Guide

MassHealth behavioral health service providers use the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool during assessment, the period of time when the provider is getting to know you and your child. This guide explains what the CANS is and how providers use it to help build a treatment plan for your child.

Other Helpful Resources

Bureau of Substance Abuse Services—Office of Youth and Young Adult Services (OYYAS) 

BSAS Website

OYYAS connects youth, young adults, and their families experiencing substance use and co-occurring disorders to high quality services. Call Youth Central Intake at 617-661-3991 or 866-705-2807.

Mass 2-1-1

211 is an easy-to-remember telephone number. Call it to get information on health and human services available in your community.

The Family Resource Centers (FRCs) of Massachusetts

This statewide network provides a number of services. These include community-based, multicultural parenting programs, support groups, early childhood services, information, and referral resources and education for families with children from birth to age 18. To find your local FRC, visit www.frcma.org.

Department of Public Health Postpartum Depression

This DPH website provides basic information on postpartum depression and resources for mothers and caregivers.

Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project for Moms (MCPAP)

MCPAP has several resources for mothers and families with very young children. You can also see the Moms and Families resource page.

National Wraparound Initiative (NWI)

With the Wraparound process, children, youths, and their families work with an intensive plan of care that is individualized to their needs. Learn more about Wraparound and its principles, which are at the heart of CBHI.

Links to Family Organizations

• Parent Professional Advocacy League (PPAL)
• Federation for Children with Special Needs
• Parents Helping Parents
• National Alliance on Mental Illness

Last updated:	February 12, 2026