COVID-19 Guidance, Bulletins, and Directives
Commissioner's Directive 20-01:
COVID-19 Emergency Directive 20-01: Inpatient Facility Operations.
DMH COVID-19 Licensing Bulletins:
Bulletin #21-01 - COVID Dedicated Units
February 12, 2021 - In light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, this bulletin highlights the potential need for facilities to stand up COVID-19 Dedicated Units for the admission of persons who require inpatient psychiatric treatment and also are in need of an environment able to meet the infection control needs of active COVID-19 infection. Such units are required to support behavioral health patients who are diagnosed with active COVID-19 infection that does not require inpatient medical treatment.
This bulletin announces a process for Tier 2 hospitals and some Tier 1 hospitals (see DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-05R for a full description of Tier 1 and Tier 2 hospitals) to develop COVID-19 Dedicated Units when the need exists for these units.
DMH bulletin #20-06 - Resumption of DMH Facility Licensing Surveys
November 4, 2020 - In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, this bulletin highlights current regulations and changes to orders extending the expiration dates of DMH Licenses. This bulletin applies to all inpatient Facilities licensed, operated or contracted by the Department of Mental Health (DMH). This bulletin rescinds portions of DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-01 as it relates to Facility Licensing Extensions.
DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-05R - COVID-19 Infection Control and Other Requirements in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Updated September 1, 2020 - This bulletin, and the attachments hereto are issued pursuant to Department of Mental Health (DMH) regulations 104 CMR 27.03(5)&(8), which provide that DMH “may establish clinical competencies and additional operational standards for care and treatment of patients admitted to facilities licensed pursuant to 104 CMR 27.00, including for specialty populations.”
- DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-05R - COVID-19 Infection Control and Other Requirements in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-05R - COVID-19 Tier 1
- DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-05R - COVID-19 Tier 2
- DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-05R - COVID-19 Infection Control and Other Requirements in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Attestation
- DMH Licensing Bulletin 20-05R Covid Daily Reporting Tool
DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-04R - COVID-19 Pandemic Guidance
Updated November 16, 2020 - In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, this bulletin highlights current regulations and policies that support behavioral health patients leaving Emergency Departments as soon as possible once it is determined that a psychiatric inpatient level of care is required. In recognition of the vital role of acute psychiatric facilities in providing safe appropriate care for individuals in psychiatric crisis, DMH is highlighting licensed facilities’ obligations to admit and treat patients meeting admission criteria within their license class. The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is also enhancing its capacity to provide assistance through the Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admission process (EPIA), so we may all play our role in keeping patients and health care workers safe.
- DMH bulletin #20-04R - COVID-19 Pandemic Guidance
- 11/16/20 Memo - Pandemic Guidance -
Admission and Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admissions (EPIA)
DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-03 - Admission and Treatment
May 1, 2020 - This bulletin concerns the admission and treatment of patients who are confirmed positive for COVID-19, or who are identified as Persons Under Investigation/presumed positive (Patients with COVID-19). It also addresses the use of isolation, seclusion and restraint for Patients with COVID-19 when such interventions are necessary to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. This bulletin applies to all inpatient Facilities licensed, operated or contracted by the Department of Mental Health (DMH).
DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-02 COVID-19 Emergency Guidance Authorizing Independent Practice Registered Nurses
April 3, 2020 - In an effort to reduce regulatory burden for DMH Licensed Entities during the COVID-19 pandemic, but to assure continued adequacy and safety of Inpatient Facility milieu, we are issuing the following guidance based upon the ORDER OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORIZING INDEPENDENT PRACTICE OF ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES:
- DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-02
- Order of the Commissioner of Public Health Authorizing Expanded Practice by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses at DMH Facilities
DMH Licensing Bulletin #20-01 - COVID-19 Emergency Guidance: Minimum Required Nursing Care Hours, Facility Licensing Extension.
March 21, 2020 - In an effort to reduce regulatory burden for DMH Licensed Entities during the COVID-19 pandemic, but to assure continued adequacy and safety of Inpatient Facility milieu, we are issuing the following guidance:
DMH Operated and Contracted Facility Bulletins
Department of Mental Health Division of Clinical and Professional Services Licensing Division Bulletin - #20-03 DMH Operated Facility Bulletin 20-01. May 1, 2020 - Admission and Treatment of Patients with COVID-19
This bulletin concerns the admission and treatment of patients who are confirmed positive for COVID-19, or who are identified as Persons Under Investigation/presumed positive (Patients with COVID-19).
Guidance and directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), and other state agencies related to COVID-19.
Additional Resources
Contact Information
The contacts below are active at this time. If you have questions or concerns, please attempt to reach out to your caseworker, supervisor, or manager first before trying one of the contact numbers or emails below.
Statwide contacts:
- Emergency/Crisis Line - Available 24 Hours - (877) 382-1609
- DMH Main Phone Line - (617) 626-8000 - Available Monday through Friday 9am-5pm
- DMH Information and Resource Line Voicemail Box - (800) 221-0053 - This voicemail is monitored Monday and Friday between 9am-5pm
- Email: dmhinfo@massmail.state.ma.us
Contact info by DMH Service Area:
Central Massachusetts Area
If you are receiving services or would like to receive services, and have questions, every Central Massachusetts service location has a staff person available to answer questions at the numbers below.
- Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital - 508-368-4000
- North County EHS Center, Fitchburg - 978-353-4400
- South County, Oaks B Building, Grafton - 508-887-1100
- Worcester County Site Office - 508-887-1100
- Westborough Office, Hadley Building - 508-616-2801
- Canton Office, Massachusetts Hospital School - 781-401-9700
Western Massachusetts Area
If you are receiving services or would like to receive services, and have questions, every Western Massachusetts service location has a staff person available to answer questions at the numbers below.
- Berkshires Office, Pittsfield - 413-395-2000
- Franklin/North Quabbin Office, Greenfield - 413-772-5600
- Hampshire Office, Northampton - 413-587-6200
- Holyoke/Chicopee Office, Springfield - 413-452-2300 - Toll free - 877-352-3881
- Springfield Office, Springfield - 413-452-2300 - Toll free - 800-352-3881
- Westfield Office, Northampton - 413-587-6200
Northeast Area
If you are receiving services or would like to receive services, and have questions, every Northeastern Massachusetts service location has a staff person available to answer questions at the numbers below.
- Northeast Office, Tewksbury - 978-863-5000
- Acton Site Office - 978-206-2100
- Essex North Office, Lawrence - 978-738-4500
- Lowell Site, Solomon Center - 978-322-5000
- Lynn Office - 781-477-2070
- Metro North Office, Wakefield - 781-224-7900
- North Shore Office, Salem - 978-741-7300
Metro Boston Area Office
If you are receiving services or would like to receive services and have questions in the Metro Boston area, a staff person is available to answer questions at 617-626-9200
Southeast Area
If you are receiving services or would like to receive services, and have questions, every Central Massachusetts service location has a staff person available to answer questions at the numbers below.
- Brockton Office - 508-897-2000
- Cape Cod and Islands Office, Hyannis - 508-957-0900
- Corrigan Office, Fall River - 800-981-4357
- New Bedford Office - 508-996-7900
- Plymouth Office - 508-732-3000
- Taunton Office - 508-977-3150
- Quincy Office - 617-984-1000
Visitor Access to DMH Hospitals and Facilities
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines to allow patients at DMH Facilities and the DPH Public Health Public Health Hospital System (PHHS) the opportunity to have visitors on a limited basis during the COVID-19 pandemic while adhering to recommended CDC and DPH guidelines.
- Department of Mental Health Hospital Visitation Policy
- View all of the Access and Visitation Policies
Intensive Residential Treatment Program (IRTP)
Effective 3/19/21, a revised Pass Agreement with Covid-19 prevention practices included in the form (a link to the form is included below) will be utilized and an updated return from pass with a parent/LAR protocol will be adopted.
Residential and Congregate Care
EOHHS issued updated guidance for organizations that operate residential congregate care programs, including DMH Group Living Environments (GLEs): EOHHS COVID-19 Guidance for organizations that operate congregate care programs (Updated November 19, 2021)
Residential and Congregate Care Visitation Guidance
EOHHS Issued Updated Guidance Effective 3/19/2021
- Department of Mental Health Adult Residential Programs Visitation Guidance – March 19, 2021
- Department of Mental Health Youth Residential Offsite Visitation Attestation Form – March 19, 2021
- EEC Licensed Child and Adolescent Residential Programs Visitation Guidance – October 1, 2020
Congregate Care Surveillance Testing Guidance
Congregate Care Infection Control Resources
Click here for infection control resources for Congregate Care Settings, developed through a partnership with Commonwealth Medicine, in coordination with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the Department of Public Health (DPH) and state agencies.
Additional Resources
Access/Drop-In Center List and Contact Info
Drop-in “Access Centers” offer a welcoming, staffed space where young adults with mental health needs can find supportive community, develop leadership skills, and get the help they need to pursue their life goals. Access Centers are low-barrier services (no application/service authorization needed to utilize these services) which are open to all members of the community in which they are located
*COVID-19 UPDATE - Contact your Access Center for details on current services available. Some facilities are offering virtual peer support.
Location |
Access Center/Agency |
Contact & Social Media |
Arlington |
STEPS- Wayside Youth & Family |
Instagram: @STEPSyoungadults |
Braintree |
TRACS-Aspire Health Alliance |
Leah Gannon lgannon@aspirehealthalliance.org Office/Cell: 617-769-7246 https://www.aspirehealthalliance.org/our-programs/for-young-adults-teens/life-skills/ |
Framingham |
Tempo-Wayside Youth & Family |
Troy Fenandes 508-879-1424 https://www.facebook.com/tempoyoungadults/ Emergency shelter on call number: 774-279-5557 |
Gloucester |
YOUnity-CFFS & JRI |
Kate Wise, Dir., 978-471-0276, kdaltonwise@jri.org Taylor Mimms, Youth Coor./Peer Spec.: 978-604-1889, tmimms@jri.org Michael Tugendhat, TIP, 978-491-6694, mtugendhat@jri.org Shaina Doberman, TIP, 978-290-0710, sdoberman@jri.org |
Lawrence |
YouForward-Vinfen |
Danisa Batista- Director- batistad@vinfen.org 978-495-6429 Wendy Mancia- Youth Coordinator 978-807.7553 |
Lowell |
Mill You-Vinfen |
Tamika Miller, TIP Facilitator, millerta@vinfen.org call or text 978-835-2416 |
Springfield |
Impact - Gandara |
Christina (Recovery Navigator) – cdillon@gandaracenter.org call or text 413-296-6257 Kristine (Site Supervisor)- krodriguez@gandaracenter.org call or text 413-296-6264 Michael (Joel) (Peer Mentor) – mperez@gandaracenter.org call or Text 413-269-6143 Nate (Peer Mentor) – nhernadez@gandaracenter.org call or text 413-612-8913 |
Worcester |
Zia – Kiva Center & Open Sky |
For individual support: 774-293-2209 To find out about zoom meetings text: 774-242-6364 Email: Vespermoore@centralmassrlc.org Cristaliz.arroyo@centralmassrlc.org |
Telework Information and Guides for Commonwealth Employees
HRD Telework for Commonwealth employees who have been approved for telework can find the information needed to perform their duties remotely here, including how to use a VPN, how to access email or voicemail out of the office, and how to host remote meetings.
A series of how-to guides and videos from colleagues at DDS about setting up telework tools such as VPN, cell phones, and Meditech VPN.
- Learn more: https://www.ddslearning.com/mfa-vpn
Vaccine Video Series Featuring DMH Staff
Video: Kristen Toepfer - Nurse Manager
Skip this video Kristen Toepfer - Nurse Manager.While many DMH staff members have already received their COVID vaccines, we understand that many still have questions. DMH would like to provide any information that can help staff make an informed decision on whether the vaccine is right for them.
We've published series of videos (like the one above) featuring staff members discussing their feelings and experiences with the vaccine. View the entire video series.
If you still have questions, the following resources may be helpful:
- For information and/or scheduling, visit http://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine
- Connect to a DMH medical professional by emailing dmhinfo@mass.gov
- Talk with your supervisor or health care provider