WORCESTER — A behavioral health center affiliated with UMass Memorial Health is preparing for significant program transitions and an eventual organizational closure, according to an internal memo sent to caregivers last week.
Community Healthlink President Gordon Benson told staff in a message on Thursday, Apr. 16, that leadership has been working with community-based organizations and state officials on plans to ensure continuity of services for clients as the organization winds down.
“CHL is at a pivotal point in our journey,” Benson wrote, adding that while discussions are ongoing, “plans to maintain continuity of services for our clients and communities” are moving forward.
The memo outlined that most CHL programs will transition to either Open Sky Community Services or Clinical and Support Options pending regulatory approval, though exact timelines are still being finalized. A number of programs are still awaiting a determined transition plan.
Among the changes, CHL’s Community Behavioral Health Clinics will be split between new providers. The Worcester CBHC will be operated by Open Sky Community Services, while the Leominster CBHC will transition to Clinical and Support Options, according to the memo.
CBHCs, overseen by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, provide same-day behavioral health care, mobile crisis response, and short-term stabilization services designed to reduce emergency department visits.
All three of CHL’s Continuum programs in Worcester, including Acute Treatment Services, Clinical Stabilization Services, and Transitional Support Services, will transition to Open Sky, according to the memo.
These programs provide inpatient detox, post-detox stabilization, and short-term recovery support for individuals with substance use disorders.
Other major service lines are also expected to transition. All Programs for Assertive Community Treatment services will move to either Open Sky or CSO, depending on location, while all Adult Community Clinical Services programs will be operated by Open Sky, according to the memo.
These include several residential and support sites across Worcester County, such as Chelsea House, Granite Street, Green House, Maria Ave, Massasoit Road, Randolph Road, Sagamore Road, and Windsor Street.
The Stabilization Treatment and Recovery program in Worcester will also transition to Open Sky.
Benson told staff that new operators will begin hiring processes for the programs, and CHL caregivers will be eligible to apply. He also said the organization will work with SEIU leadership on transition planning and will support efforts to identify job opportunities within UMass Memorial Health.
“We have also initiated discussions with SEIU leadership to explore transition plans that support and retain our caregivers,” the memo stated.
CHL leadership said it will continue providing updates as regulatory approvals are finalized and timelines become clearer.
While acknowledging the difficulty of the changes, Benson said the focus remains on maintaining services for clients throughout the transition.
“My goal is to remain transparent and keep you as informed as possible,” he wrote.
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