Evaluating Effectiveness of a Public Mental Health Re-entry Program: Strategic Statewide Partnerships

This study is the first ever initiative to merge administrative data base in Massachusetts to evaluate an important public mental health program. It examines post-incarceration outcome of adults with serious mental illness (SMI) enrolled in the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) Forensic Transition Team (FTT) program. The Program began in 1998 with the goal of transitioning offenders with SMI released from state and local correctional facilities utilizing a core set of transition activities. In this study we evaluate the program\u27s effectiveness using merged administrative data from various state agencies for the years 2007 - 2011, comparing FTT clients to released prisoners who, despite having serious mental health disorders, did not meet the criterion for DMH services. By systematically describing our original study design and the barriers we encountered, this report will inform future efforts to evaluate public programs using merged administrative databases and electronic health records

Community Reintegration of Persons with SMI Post Incarceration

This issue brief provides an overview of specialized services and programs that support ex-inmates with severe mental illness (SMI) returning to the community post release, with particular attention given to the Massachusetts’ Forensic Transition Team (FTT) model

Louis D. Brown Peace Institute Burial Guide Training, Funded by American Sociological Association

The Community Action Research Initiative (CARI) involves the dissemination and implementation of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s (LDBPI) “Burial and Resource Guide” and a corresponding evaluation. The burial guide is a “step-by-step” manual with sections including: notification and correspondence with family, friends, funeral homes, officials, services and insurance companies; writing guidelines for obituaries and media statements; and tracking and contacts with police, medical examiners, and victim advocates after the murder of a loved one. The guide also includes exercises and resources for healing/coping. This is possibly the first specialized guide for survivors of homicide

Developing Capacity and a Culturally Appropriate Mindfulness Intervention for Inner City Survivors of Violence

This project examines the acceptability and cultural relevance of Mindfulness for low-income communities of color most affected by urban/gun violence. The burden of violence extends to classmates, friends, family members, and communities through adverse effects on parenting, quality of life, economic productivity, and social cohesion

From Correctional Custody to Community: The Massachusetts Forensic Transition Program

Offenders with mental illness who are serving correctional sentences are released to the community.Without support systems linking their transition to community-based programs following release from prison, the services necessary for their community reintegration are often fragmented and attenuated. Nearly two thirds of all inmates return to prison, and offenders with mental illness face major challenges during reintegration and have an even more difficult time living in the community without specialized, informed services. This article describes a Massachusetts program designed to bridge the transition of offenders with mental illness from incarceration to the community.The authors review historical and recent trends that support the need for such a program along with a description of the demographics of the population served and the challenges faced during program implementation. They also offer recommendations for enhancing public safety and providing efficient service to offenders with mental illness

Using Mindfulness for Increasing Provider Capacity to Support Inner City Survivors of Violence [English and Spanish versions]

A Spanish translation of this publication is available to download under Additional Files below. Mindfulness is recognized as an evidence-based practice that can improve a person’s physical and emotional health and well-being. This research project examined the cultural relevance and potential acceptability of mindfulness practices by front-line providers working with a low-income community of color affected by gun homicide

Overall Splenectomy Rates Stable Despite Increasing Usage of Angiography in the Management of High-grade Blunt Splenic Injury

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the contemporary trends of splenectomy in blunt splenic injury (BSI) and to determine if angiography and embolization (ANGIO) may be impacting the splenectomy rate. Background: The approach to BSI has shifted to increasing use of nonoperative management, with a greater reliance on ANGIO. However, the impact ANGIO has on splenic salvage remains unclear with little contemporary data. Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank was used to identify patients 18 years and older with high-grade BSI (Abbreviated Injury Scale >II) treated at Level I or II trauma centers between 2008 and 2014. Primary outcomes included yearly rates of splenectomy, which was defined as early if performed within 6 hours of ED admission and delayed if greater than 6 hours, ANGIO, and mortality. Trends were studied over time with hierarchical regression models. Results: There were 53,689 patients who had high-grade BSI over the study period. There was no significant difference in the adjusted rate of overall splenectomy over time (24.3% in 2008, 24.3% in 2014, P value = 0.20). The use of ANGIO rapidly increased from 5.3% in 2008 to 13.5% in 2014 (P value < 0.001). Mortality was similar overtime (8.7% in 2008, 9.0% in 2014, P value = 0.33). Conclusion: Over the last 7 years, the rate of angiography has been steadily rising while the overall rate of splenectomy has been stable. The lack of improved overall splenic salvage, despite increased ANGIO, calls into question the role of ANGIO in splenic salvage on high-grade BSI at a national level

MISSION Community Re-Entry for Women (MISSION-CREW) Program Development and Implementation [English and Spanish versions]

A Spanish translation of this publication is available to download under Additional Files below. Describes a study that examined the impact of the MISSION-CREW (Maintaining Independence and Sobriety through Systems Integration, Outreach, and Networking Community Re-Entry for Women) model of care on criminal justice outcomes for women released from MCI-Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center (SMCC) in Massachusetts. Originally published as: Research in the Works, Issue 5, 2011

Feasibility and Acceptability of Mindfulness for Survivors of Homicide and Their Providers

PURPOSE: This study uses participatory research methods with survivors of homicide and their service providers to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally adapted mindfulness intervention for stress reduction and resilience in homicide survivors. PROCEDURES: Our mixed methods approach included: (a) previewing a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program with providers and survivors; (b) using their iterative feedback during focus groups to revise the curriculum; and (c) studying the acceptability of the adapted curriculum for survivors through focus group and standardized data collection. FINDINGS: We learned that providers use mindfulness for self-care and both providers and survivors view the approach for survivors as promising. Based on attendance, participation, and focus group data, the adapted curriculum was both feasible and acceptable. Survivors\u27 reports suggested most experienced improved emotion regulation, feelings of empowerment, and better coping. CONCLUSIONS: Culturally adapted mindfulness programs may support healing for homicide survivors and possibly other low-income people of color with significant trauma backgrounds. Further investigation is needed to rigorously assess outcomes and specific effects, both positive and negative, of mindfulness in this and other more diversified populations

MISSION Diversion & Recovery for Traumatized Veterans (MISSION DIRECT VET): Early Findings and Lessons Learned

MISSION DIRECT VET is a SAMHSA- funded, court based diversion program targeting veterans in Massachusetts with trauma-related mental health and substance use problems. MISSION-DIRECT VET seeks to: Reduce criminal justice involvement Treat mental health, substance abuse and other trauma related symptoms Use a systematic wrap-around model Provide care coordination, peer support and trauma informed services Develop interagency partnerships to serve veterans with co-occurring disorder