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Resources
Massachusetts Standardized Documentation Project (MSDP)
As you may know, in June of 2006, the Board of Directors of ABH’s predecessor organization, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Corporations of Massachusetts (MHSACM) voted to establish an integrated e-Health strategy. This resulted in a proposal to establish a standardized documentation project, and ultimately, in the institution of the Massachusetts Standardized Documentation Project (MSDP). This was made possibly only because of a $250,000 grant to MHSACM from Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (MBHP).
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MSDP was an initiative to develop and maintain statewide standardized integrated clinical and medical services forms and processes that provide enhanced compliance and quality for mental health and substance use disorder service delivery throughout Massachusetts. It was accomplished through a 10-month process, requiring significant dedication of member staff resources; buy-in and cooperation from state regulators and payers; and organizational piloting. While MSDP was successful, it has accomplished its purpose. The form set has not had an update since 2014. The ABH Board of Directors has determined that we will no longer be supporting MSDP updates. The MSDP resources located below will continue to be available, but they are no longer being supported.
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ABH would like to thank all those who initially participated in our MSDP Steering Committee, and who dedicated their time and expertise to implement this project. We are extremely grateful for your help in developing a resource that led to improved quality of care and increased compliance.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
The Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH) is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for our Board of Directors, our members, and their staff. On this page you will find a compilation of ABH-driven information and resources documenting our efforts to challenge racism and discrimination in the behavioral healthcare system. This page will be updated as we continue to grow and evolve in this work.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Toolkit: Organizational Culture Change
The Association for Behavioral Healthcare (ABH) and Wayside Equity Training Center (WETC) are eager to announce our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Toolkit: Organizational Culture Change. This toolkit is part of a range of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice (DEI&J) initiatives outlined in the ABH Annual Plan addressing issues of injustice, inequality, and inequity within the behavioral healthcare system. It was created at the urging of DEI&J Committee members, and in particular ABH CEOs, seeking support in responding to growing calls from people across the country, including provider’s own staff and persons served, for stronger action on issues of equity and justice, following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, of 2020.
This Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Toolkit was commissioned by the Association for Behavioral Healthcare’s Senior Leadership Committee on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEI&J Committee) as we continue our work to achieve equitable access to quality mental health and addiction treatment services for the people and communities of the Commonwealth who face systemic, cultural, ethnic, racial, linguistic, ability, gender, socioeconomic, age, religious, and LGBTQIA+ disparities.
Click here to download the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Toolkit.
A Note from the ABH DEI&J Committee
This toolkit is part of a range of DEI&J initiatives outlined in the ABH Annual Plan addressing issues of injustice, inequality, and inequity within the behavioral healthcare system. It was created at the urging of DEI&J Committee members, and in particular ABH CEOs, seeking support in responding to growing calls from people across the country, including provider’s own staff and persons-served, for stronger action on issues of equity and justice, following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, of 2020. In particular, we heard from ABH CEOs who recognized the need to focus on critical issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within their own organizations.
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So many of you expressed your deep concern, and desire to initiate or sustain culture change, but were uncertain about how to begin or grow that effort. In response, the ABH DEI&J Committee sought a partner with the capacity to deliver critical DEI&J technical assistance and training services to our members that shared our commitment to a diverse, equitable, inclusive and just behavioral health system. Further, we sought partner that shares ABH’s deep understanding of the behavioral health landscape in Massachusetts, and the unique needs of our eighty one community-based mental health and addiction treatment provider organizations, that make up the primary providers of publicly-funded behavioral healthcare services in the Commonwealth. We found that partner in the Wayside Equity Training Center (WETC).
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In addition to the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Toolkit, WETC has helped ABH develop a guide for members on how to plan for implementation of DEI&J Initiatives. This resource will help members to address the following questions:
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How do I find a consultant?
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What type of equity work is the best fit for my organization and what is an appropriate timeline for what we need?
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How much money should I budget and for what?
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How do I vet consultants?
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What other resources should I line up?
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Click here to access Addressing Common Issues for Leaders in Equity Culture Change.