The demand for mental health services, across the country and across the Commonwealth, is at an all-time high. We are experiencing unprecedented call volume and seeing increased wait times for referrals. We are working as fast as we can to provide care to our callers, while also maintaining a high level of service. We appreciate your patience during this time.

Learn more about When and Where to Seek Help. We are not an emergency service. If you or the person you’re seeking to assist requires a crisis response to meet immediate safety needs, please call 911, go to your local emergency room, or find your local Emergency Service Program by calling 877-382-1609.

CBHI Resources

Helping Families Access MassHealth Home- and Community-Based Behavioral Health Services for Children and Youths under Age 21

The Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) is an interagency initiative of the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Health and Human Services whose mission is to strengthen, expand and integrate Massachusetts state services into a comprehensive, community-based system of care, to ensure that families and their children with significant behavioral, emotional and mental health needs obtain the services necessary for success in home, school and community.

Accessing Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI)

Ths guide is from the Federation for Children with Special Needs and offers a brief overwiew of the CBHI services available.

Children's Behavioral Health Initiative

CBHI Information for Members & Families

This guide explains options you have in applying for health coverage for your child. If you are a parent or caregiver who wants your child to get MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth for behavioral health services, this guide will help you. The guide also may be useful for anyone else who would like to apply for coverage under MassHealth.

How to Apply for MassHealth for Your Child

CBHI Brochures and Companion Guide

The Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) brochure, "Worried about the way your child is acting or feeling?," provides family-friendly descriptions of the enhanced behavioral-health services available to certain children and youth, aged 21 and younger, who are enrolled in MassHealth. The publication also includes regional contact information for Mobile Crisis Intervention, In-Home Therapy and Intensive Care Coordination providers.

CBHI Brochures for Parents/Caregivers

In Home Therapy

In Home Therapy (IHT) is a MassHealth service for children and youth with social, emotional or behavioral challenges under the age of 21. It can be delivered anywhere the youth is,
including home, school, child care setting, and other places in the community. This is a Top Ten Things To Know about IHT Guide.

Top 10 Things You Should Know About In-Home Therapy