Sunday, April 27, 2025
4/27/2025
Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - In 2022, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services redesigned the behavioral health system to expand and strengthen the delivery of community services across the Commonwealth. A key component is the development of a comprehensive network of Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) that serve as hubs of coordinated and integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment for MassHealth members. In anticipation of the new CBHC contracts, Advocates signed a lease for a 20,000 square foot building at 1094 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA in December 2021. We worked closely with an architect and construction firm over the next several months to create a CBHC which will enable us to help more than 8,000 individuals (a 40% increase over our current capacity). The building had been subdivided into four distinct businesses: an orthopedic office, a fish store, a dentist office, and a daycare. There were a variety of large, open retail space, small dental treatment rooms, an X- ray room, and children’s play areas. We spent months working together to develop plans that addressed all programmatic and staffing needs including outpatient services (urgent and same-day access), adult and youth mobile crisis intervention programming, and adult overnight crisis services. Final plans included 5 sections – an outpatient clinic with 31 treatment rooms, 3 group spaces, reception area, and waiting rooms for children and adults; an adult crisis wing with 6 bedrooms plus common living room, kitchen, and meeting space; a call center and offices to oversee the mobile crisis teams; a lab for bloodwork; and a pharmacy to dispense medications. Multiple entrances ensure everyone feels safe and welcome, including a side door for police and/or ambulance drop-offs. Demolition began in August 2022 and happened quickly. In just one week, the entire building was down to the studs! Over the next 5 months, floors, walls, and windows were removed and replaced. New plumbing, electric, and fire protection were installed along with seven new HVAC units and more than 100 doors. The project was completed on February 14, 2023. Through the CBHC, we will be available 24/7/365, whether the person presents with an emergency, crisis, urgent request, or routine need. We will address social determinants of health by leveraging linkages with community partners, primary care providers, hospitals, Accountable Care Organizations, police departments, and social service agencies. And we will do it in a pleasant, soothing environment that is conducive to recovery. This application for reimbursement of eligible pre-award costs related to the renovation of 20,000 sq. foot building in Framingham, MA, to house a new Community Behavioral Health Center. This request for $500,000 includes architectural and engineering fees ($9,661) and site work costs ($490,339) incurred between January 2023 and March 2023.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).