Imagining a system that works for youth with complex needs

What is the E4 Project? In 2023, the Children’s Mental Health Campaign received a planning grant from the Peter and Elizabeth Tower Foundation to address care barriers for youth with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and mental health concerns, identify solutions and strategies to improve service access.  

 

 

This work resulted in a series of recommendations that call for a system that: 

• Intervenes early and responds quickly to parent’s concerns
• Is easy to navigate so families can access needed services
• Provides effective treatment for kids with complex needs
• Is grounded in equity

Children’s Behavioral Health System Map

This interactive map details the system of care for youth ages 0-6 in Massachusetts with ASD and behavioral health conditions. It includes information on levels of care and relationships between service providers, state agencies, advocacy organizations, and health plans/administrative services organizations. 

For an overview of the year 1 project check out our webinar or download a copy of the presentation slides. 

 

We’ve formed an advisory committee to:   

• Advise us on the best approaches and strategies for implementing the recommendations.
•  Help us prioritize which recommendations to advance and the most feasible strategies for doing so.
• Hold us accountable for ensuring our policy efforts are truly reaching and benefiting those who are the most impacted by service gaps and access issues.
• Lend expertise to ensure our efforts emphasize equity, earlier intervention, creating a more navigable system, and delivering effective services.
• Assist us in amplifying our impact by creating a network of partners who care about this important work
• Build champions who may advocate for changes within your own networks.
• Help us cultivate support and build buy-in over time for new approaches that may emerge. 

 

For more information contact Kelly English at kenglish@mspcc.org 

 

 

E4 Youth Forum

Are you a teen or young adult 14 to 25 who self-identifies as having Autism and mental/behavioral health needs? Are you interested in being a part of a discussion about your experience with the help and services you needed, what you got, and what you didn’t get?

Learn more about how you can get involved!

 

 

This work is supported by a generous grant from the Peter & Elizabeth Tower Foundation.