FY27 Priorities:

The Children’s Mental Health Campaign (CMHC) asked for funding to be protected for critical DMH Child and Adolescent Services and School-Based Behavioral Health (SBBH), essentials to the well-being of Massachusetts’ children and families. 

The final FY27 budget reflects a $4.2M cut to the DMH Child and Adolescent Services (Line Item #5042-500):

• Flex ($2.3M cut) – set of prevention-oriented, community-based, individualized supports for children and youth who are DMH-eligible, designed to prevent out-of-home placements and help keep young people living successfully in their homes, schools, and communities    
• Intensive Home-Based Therapeutic Care [IHBTC] ($1M cut) – designed to work with children and their families in the home and community, rather than in hospitals or residential facilities, to prevent and shorten the need for out-of-home treatment and support stabilization and skill building in natural environments for youth
• Therapeutic Day Services ($800K cut) – provide youth with an array of after school supports, including recreational and skill building activities, as well as intensive clinical services in a structured program

The Campaign was able to successfully advocate for resources for long standing programs that were under the threat of cuts, including:

• $2M for the development of a Statewide Birth Through Higher Education Framework for mental and behavioral health in schools
• $500K for the School-Based Behavioral Health Technical Assistance Center
• $4.75M for MCPAP (including Moms and Schools) and language requiring IRPT and CIRT capacity to be maintained at FY26 levels
• $35.1M for Family Resource Centers (including $3.3M for the Mental Health Advocacy Project for Kids)
• $19M for Jail Diversion Programs