UMass Memorial Health – Community Healthlink announced today that it has reopened its Transitional Support Services (TSS) program. TSS is a 24/7 substance use disorder recovery program.
On Thursday, October 5, Worcester Mayor Joe Petty awarded the Key to the City to Dr. Richard Hummel in recognition of his four decades of service to Community Healthlink and the Worcester community. Dr. Hummel is a clinical psychologist known for his tireless commitment to his work and humanitarian efforts that have touched the lives of countless individuals. His journey began in 1983 when he joined the Worcester Youth Guidance Center (WYG) as a clinician. Over the years, he became an integral part of the team, witnessing the merger of WYG with CHL and contributing significantly to community-based programs, particularly at Plumley Village. Residents there benefited from his expertise in group therapy, tutoring, and art and music therapy. His dedication extended to the psychology training program at CHL, where Dr. Hummel became a respected figure, offering seminars on topics like attachment, domestic violence, childhood abuse, and neglect. Currently, he works in the Juvenile Court Clinic (ICC) and the Together for Kids (TFK) program, where he plays a crucial role in helping at-risk children find a path to success, preventing school expulsions, and assessing risk in youth displaying dangerous behaviors. Not only does Dr. Hummel excel in his professional roles, but he also extends his expertise to private practice, providing consultation, assessment, and staff training for various agencies, including the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and court-involved individuals. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Hummel's participates in pick-up soccer games that unite diverse immigrant groups, fostering inclusivity and cultural exchange. Additionally, he volunteers his musical talents by playing the trumpet and drums at his church every Sunday. Dr. Hummel and his wife, Betsy, are deeply involved with the Worcester Alliance for Refugee Ministry (WARM). During the pandemic, he organized drum circles for refugee men and provided support to refugee youth through a learning pod at WARM. He also coordinated soccer and volleyball games at WARM picnics, further enriching the lives of Worcester's refugee community.
UMass Memorial Health Community Healthlink has been selected as one of six recipients of the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Grant by the Healey-Driscoll Administration. This $600,000 grant will support CHL's "Together for Kids" (TFK) program, aimed at promoting social-emotional development and behavioral health among young children in Central Massachusetts. Lori Simkowitz-Lavigne, Vice President of CHL's Services division, expressed her gratitude, saying, "We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their commitment to early childhood mental health and for investing in programs that provide essential, holistic services to children, families, and educators." The TFK program takes a comprehensive approach, consisting of three core components: 1. Behavioral health consultation for educators and families 2. Training for educators and families on topics related to social0emotional health in children 3. Referrals for more intensive services such as child/parent psychotherapy and psychological assessments The goal of the program is to establish a strong foundation for success in young children as they navigate family, social, and educational relationships. TFK's impact is substantial, serving around 75 childcare programs in 28 cities and towns across Central Massachusetts annually. This translates to approximately 300 teachers in 140 classrooms and positively influences the learning environments for about 2,200 children. Additionally, clinicians offer child and family-focused consultation services to approximately 175 children and families each year. With this grant, the TFK program is well-positioned to continue its vital work in enhancing the mental and behavioral health of young children, benefiting the entire Central Massachusetts community.
Community Healthlink has always been committed to supporting meaningful causes in our community, and we are thrilled to announce that we are a sponsor for this year’s “Out of The Darkness Suicide Prevention 5K Walk” at Polar Park on Sunday, September 10 th at 9:00 a.m. The event aims to raise awareness about mental health while honoring the memories of those we have lost to suicide. This an opportunity for all of us to come together and make a difference! This year, we are forming a CHL Walk Team to participate in this great cause. By joining our CHL team, you will be part of a larger movement dedicated to supporting suicide prevention efforts and promoting mental health advocacy. Not only will this be an excellent chance to take part of this community event, but it will also provide an opportunity to create lasting memories for a good cause. Participation is entirely voluntary, and everyone is welcome to join including friends and family. To join the CHL team, please use this link: https://supporting.afsp.org/team/CHL and fill out the form. To be on the team is free, but if you would like to donate, it’s going to a great cause. Let’s unite for this important cause and make a positive impact together! For more information about the event please visit: : American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
We are excited to announce that Community Healthlink will be hosting our Second Annual Block Party on August 26th from 10am-2pm. This event is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together with our community and connect in a fun and engaging way. The block party promises to be even more exciting than last year, with a variety of activities and attractions for everyone to enjoy. Here are some highlights you can look forward to: - Bounce House - Face Painting - Free Food & Drinks - Petting Zoo - Giveaways - Pie Eating Contest This Block Party is a true community event with a dozen of other non-profit agencies tabling alongside CHL. This is an opportunity to showcase our organizations dedication not only as professionals but also active members of this wonderful neighborhood around us! Please use this link to register: UMass Memorial Health -- Community Healthlink Block Party! Tickets, Sat, Aug 26, 2023, at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite . Hope to see you all there!
This past week our Shower Program, located within the Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Project (HOAP) clinic site, received funding from the City of Worcester to update our shower and bathroom. The Shower Program provides access to showers, shower supplies, hygiene support, food, and clean clothes. This program helps meet the immediate need of those experiencing homelessness in Worcester whole also improving their access to mental health, recovery, and/or permanent housing assistance. “Our Shower Program meets the immediate needs of those experiencing homelessness in Worcester while improving access to mental health, recovery, and/or permanent housing assistance,” said Donna Pierce-Judkins, Senior Director, Intensive Case Management, and manager of the Community Healthlink’s Shower Program. “Also, the timing for the funding is perfect, as we have just completed upgrading and modernizing the shower and bathroom areas.” “It’s the one time a week I feel like a normal human being,” one participant said. The grant will cover various activities, including: • Staffing: Caregivers to run the day-to-day operation and maintain the facilities. • Laundry and Linen Services: Providing clean clothing, towels, and bedding, contributing to participants' overall comfort and cleanliness. • Food and Water: Offering nourishing meals and clean drinking water to program participants, addressing their immediate nutritional needs. • Supplies: Distributing hygiene kits containing essential items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and personal care products. Thank you to the City of Worcester for providing the funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and the State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds for making it all possible.
Dale Kline and Kevin J. McCarthy will work to develop the recently established “crisis co-response” model in collaboration with the City of Worcester
Community Healthlink Leadership Transition of Tamara Lundi: A Message from Dr. Eric Dickson
A school-based program is helping students, who are struggling with mental health, by making trained staff available to them throughout the entire school day and beyond.
