Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA)

Youth and Family Services

Anyone (such as a provider, teacher, or family member) can make a referral to the services listed below (CBHC, YMCI, CCS, ICC, IHT, IHBS).

COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTERS (CBHC) provide timely access to mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment on an urgent and ongoing basis. [more]
- CBHCs provide mental health and SUD services, routinely and/or urgently, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except holidays).
- CBHCs offer individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, care management, and other services to meet the needs of each individual.
- Services are offered onsite, as well as via telehealth and in the community.
- Find your local CBHC provider here.

YOUTH MOBILE CRISIS INTERVENTION (YMCI) is a behavioral health emergency service for youths ages 0 through 20. YMCI can be contacted when an individual is having a crisis and needs help right away. [more]
- YMCI staff will meet with individuals onsite at the YMCI location, in the community (including homes, schools, shelters, etc.), or via telehealth.
- YMCI is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.
- YMCI is available in every town in the Commonwealth.
- Find your local YMCI provider here.

INTENSIVE CARE COORDINATION (ICC) * is a care planning service for youth under the age of 21 who have serious emotional and behavioral needs. [more]
- ICC coordinates care when a youth is receiving or needs multiple services. Services may come from mental health providers, state agencies, and/or special education.
- ICC teaches families and caregivers how to support the youth and coordinate the services and supports the youth needs.
- ICC will help the entire family create social support systems.
- Find openings for this service.

IN-HOME THERAPY SERVICES (IHT) * works with the whole family to help youth under the age of 21 with social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. [more]
- A team provides intensive family therapy for the whole family, not just the youth.
- IHT sessions take place in the home or a community setting, such as school or childcare.
- Services are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
- This service does not include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
- Find openings for this service.

IN-HOME BEHAVIORAL SERVICES (IHBS) * helps youth under the age of 21 who have challenging behaviors that interfere with everyday life. [more]
- A team of providers create plans to address specific behavior challenges. These issues could happen at home, school, childcare, and other community settings.
- The team works closely with the family and caregivers so that they learn how to use the behavior plan across different settings.
- This service does not include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
- Find openings for this service.

* These services belong to the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI).

To use the services listed below, the youth must already receive Outpatient Therapy, In-Home Therapy, and/or Intensive Care Coordination. A referral must come from one of those services.

FAMILY SUPPORT AND TRAINING (FS&T) * is provided by Family Partners, who are parents or caregivers with “lived experience” of caring for youth under the age of 21 with special needs. [more]
- FS&T educates, supports, and coaches the parent/caregiver on how to be an effective advocate for their child.
- Family Partners help parents/caregivers learn to work with the youth’s service systems.
- Parents/caregivers will also learn about community supports.
- Find openings for this service.

THERAPEUTIC MENTORING SERVICES (TM) * pairs a youth under the age of 21 with an adult mentor. The mentor works with the youth to build and improve their social, communication, and life skills. [more]
- One-on-one support or coaching helps the youth with problem-solving, social skills, communication, or conflict resolution.
- The mentor will practice new skills with youth in a safe setting. The practice helps them learn how to use skills in the “real world”.
- Find openings for this service.

* These services belong to the Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI).

To use the service listed below, no referral or appointments are needed.

OUTPATIENT WALK-IN/OPEN ACCESS (OA) means same-day appointments. [more]
- An outpatient program holds a period of time open so a person can walk in or be seen via telehealth without an appointment.
- OA may be used for intake, psychiatry appointments, group meetings, or individual therapy.
- Find openings for this service.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH URGENT CARE provides access to treatment the same day or next day from request. Access to treatment is also offered during some night and weekend hours. [more]
- Find openings for this service.

In order to receive the service below, the youth must have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

ABA - APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS helps caregivers improve or change the behaviors of their child under the age of 21 with Autism. [more]
- The youth must have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- A Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) provides ABA services. They work with a behavior technician/paraprofessional to develop a behavior plan.
- The LABA and behavioral technician work closely with the youth and caregiver to help them use the plan in their daily life.
- Find openings for this service.

For more information about the services below, please contact the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline at 833-773-2445 or on their website.

INPATIENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES is the most intense level of psychiatric care for individuals who post significant danger to themselves or others. [more]
- Services happen in a 24-hour, secure hospital setting.
- Treatment includes group and individual therapy and educational activities.
- Individuals have their medication reviewed and are watched for safety.
- There are specialty units for adults, adolescents, and children.
- Find openings for this service.

INTENSIVE COMMUNITY-BASED ACUTE TREATMENT (ICBAT) is a voluntary, intensive service for youth having a behavioral health crisis. [more]
- ICBAT is the same as CBAT, but more intense.
- Youth are evaluated more often by staff.
- ICBAT may be used as an alternative but not a step-down to inpatient services.
- Find openings for this service.

COMMUNITY-BASED ACUTE TREATMENT (CBAT) is a voluntary service for youth having a serious behavioral health crisis. [more]
- Services include medication monitoring, nursing, psychiatric assessment, case management, therapy, and discharge planning.
- CBAT services happen in a secure group setting.
- Youth are supervised 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
- Find openings for this service.

TRANSITIONAL CARE UNIT (TCU) is a voluntary service for youth 18 and under. These youth no longer need intensive care in a CBAT or ICBAT but still require support for behavioral or emotional needs. [more]
- Services include clinical transition and stabilization work necessary for return to community and school settings.
- Services include medication monitoring, psychiatric assessment, case management, therapy, and discharge planning.
- Find openings for this service.

COMMUNITY CRISIS STABILIZATION (CCS) is a voluntary alternative to psychiatric hospitalization that occurs in a community setting. CCS programs designed for children under 18 (Youth CCS, or YCCS) are available. [more]
- CCS is staffed by mental health professionals, including nurses, social workers, mental health counselors, and peers.
- CCS is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.
- Find openings for this service. To find services for children, please choose CCS from the Select Service dropdown menu and enter an age between 0 and 17 in the Specify Age field.

In order to receive the services below, the youth must have a Substance Use Disorder diagnosis and a minimum age of 13.

YOUTH STABILIZATION SERVICES (YSS) is a medically-monitored substance use disorder service for adolescents and transitional age youth up to the age of 21. [more]
- YSS is provided 24 hours per day.
- YSS includes help with withdrawal and intensive substance use disorder treatment in the same setting.
- Individuals also receive psychiatric consultations and nursing care.
- Find openings for this service.

RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES (RRS) ASAM Level 3.1 support individuals who have substance use disorders and/or a mild mental health disorder. Services help individuals transfer to integrate back into the community. [more]
- RRS is a 24-hour structured supportive program that happens in a home- like setting in the community. It provides support, education, counseling, and help from recovery specialists.
- Programs are available for:
  - Adults ages 18 and older;
  - Adolescents, transitional -age youth, and young adults;
  - Families; and
  - Pregnant and post-partum women.
- RRS provides access to medications for physical, behavioral health, and substance use conditions.
- Find openings for this service.

CO-OCCURRING ENHANCED RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION SERVICES (COE-RRS) ASAM Level 3.1 support individuals with both a substance use disorder and a moderate to severe mental health. [more]
- COE-RRS is a 24-hour program that happens in a home-like setting within the community. It provides support, education, counseling, and help from recovery specialists.
- Programs are available for adults ages 18 and older.
- COE-RRS provides access to medications for physical, behavioral health, and substance use conditions.
- A part time registered nurse oversees medication administration and compliance.
- The individual receives interactive therapy from the program staff.
- Find openings for this service.

STRUCTURED OUTPATIENT ADDICTION PROGRAM (SOAP), also known as Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), is a short-term, intensive day and/or evening substance use disorder treatment service. It is for individuals who do not need 24-hour care. [more]
- Individuals get help with withdrawal management. Services include case management, education, and counseling.
- Individuals can stay in the community, work, or school. They can continue being part of their family life while getting treatment.
- SOAP is available for adolescents and adults.
- Find openings for this service.

Visit Substance Use Disorder for additional substance use disorder services for young adults.