BOSTON, MA (MARCH 30, 2023) - The Baker Center, a national leader in children’s mental health, has received a 4-year grant from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to create The MetroWest Evidence-based Trauma-Informed Referral & Treatment Initiative for Children (METRIC). METRIC aims to increase access to trauma-focused, evidence-based services for children and adolescents ages 2 to 18, and their families, in school and community-based settings in Waltham, Boston, and surrounding communities.
METRIC is positioned at the Center for Effective Therapy (CET), The Baker Center’s outpatient behavioral health clinic with locations in Waltham and Boston, and brings together various trauma experts including CET clinicians, Waltham Public Schools personnel, and representatives from National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative centers, including the Child Trauma Training Center at UMass Medical Center.
Through the funding received through the grant, METRIC aims to connect a projected 2,000 children and families with critical trauma-focused services to combat a variety of conditions including traumatic stress, neglect, and abuse. This includes comprehensive screening, assessment, training for school and outpatient clinicians, and referral systems to strengthen the infrastructure supporting the long-term needs of the community. METRIC's clinical staff will be trained in multiple evidence-based practices to meet the needs of children and adolescents impacted by traumatic stress.
Throughout the four-year project, METRIC will engage community stakeholders including schools, early care and education providers, pediatric providers, hospitals, child welfare staff, faith-based organizations, and other child-serving organizations through educational outreach, development of screening and referral mechanisms, and consultation.
In addition, a portion of the grant will allow The Baker Center to onboard a Family Support Coordinator at CET to assist parents and caregivers in navigating the treatment process and refer caregivers to community-based, culturally competent services. This position will also help families enroll in MassHealth (Medicaid) or private insurance as needed to ensure access to care.
METRIC will improve the quality of trauma-focused care, further develop a trauma-informed system of care, and increase access for underserved populations including economically disadvantaged, Black and Latinx children and teens and LGBTQ+ youth. This project will provide much needed support to vulnerable families for many years to come and establish the necessary infrastructure and mechanisms to sustain this work into the future.
About The Baker Center for Children and Families
An affiliate of Harvard Medical School, The Baker Center for Children and Families is a nationally recognized mental health organization dedicated to improving the quality of mental health care for children (ages 2-22), families, and caregivers. Originally named Judge Baker Children’s Center, in honor of Harvey Humphrey Baker, the first judge appointed to the Boston Juvenile Court, the Center opened in 1917 and serves children and families of Greater Boston and the MetroWest region.
The Baker Center is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families by bridging the gap between science and practice to improve access to the highest quality care in community-based settings. Their life-changing mental health and special education programs include Center for Effective Therapy (CET), Manville School, Camp Baker, and Next Step: College Success & Independent Living.
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