Since the federal court dismissed the Rosie D. case in early 2021, and particularly over the past year, the Center has observed a significant worsening in access to, and availability of, intensive home-based services created pursuant to the Court’s 2007 Judgment. These systemic problems, including protracted waiting lists, reduced provider capacity, and diminished quality of care coordination and mobile crisis intervention, are harming youth and families across the Commonwealth.
Last month, the Center met with State officials about the urgent need to protect and preserve the Rosie D. remedial services, also known as the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI). The Center proposed several systemic actions, based upon its analysis of Statewide access and quality management data, as well as qualitative observations collected from families, legal service programs, and provider organizations.
Now in its second year, the Rosie D. Preservation Project works to protect the integrity, intent, and impact of Massachusetts’ intensive home-based service system now that federal court oversight has ended. It also seeks to ensure continued access to medically necessary care for Rosie D. class members, particularly youth from diverse racial and linguistic communities, and those at risk of court involvement because of unmet mental health needs. The Project has two complimentary components: (1) individual advocacy to assist children and youth in priority target groups; and (2) systemic advocacy to ensure that children and families’ access the Rosie D. remedial services is preserved.