Community Healthlink Appoints Two New Leaders to Crisis Co-Response Team

Max Sarro • Jun 08, 2023

Dale Kline and Kevin J. McCarthy will work to develop the recently established “crisis co-response” model in collaboration with the City of Worcester

Worcester, MA, June 6, 2023 – UMass Memorial Health – Community Healthlink (CHL), a leader in helping adults, children, and families recover from the effects of mental illness, substance use, and homelessness, announced today the appointment of Dale Kline as Senior Director of Crisis Co-Response and Kevin J. McCarthy, LCSW, as consulting lead clinician. The two leaders join the organization after CHL was selected by the City of Worcester as its partner to develop the new “Mental Health Community Crisis Co-Response Model,” a collaborative initiative between CHL and the City that will dispatch CHL crisis teams alongside police to certain emergency calls.


“Dale and Kevin’s deep ties within our community make them invaluable additions to Community Healthlink and our Crisis Co-Response team,” said Gordon Benson, Interim President of CHL. “Both bring extensive expertise, demonstrated leadership, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the individuals that Community Healthlink serves every day.”

 

Kline joins CHL’s Crisis Co-Response team with a robust background in leadership, ministry, and community service. Kline most recently served as a Pastor and Creative Director at a local Worcester congregation, devising and executing strategic plans that grew the organization significantly during his thirteen-year tenure. Prior to that role, he was instrumental to the Southern New England Ministry Network as Executive Administrator of Minister Development where he maximized operations and increased the number of communities served by the organization, creating an expansive leadership development program for prospective ministry assignments. Kline also comes to CHL with deep connections to the City of Worcester, including his work in foster care and as a foster parent, and longstanding relationships with city leaders, the police department, fire department, public school system, and faith community.

 

“Community Healthlink’s prioritization of developing the Crisis Co-Response model demonstrates its dedication to maintaining the physical health, mental health, and dignity of individuals and families across Central Massachusetts,” said Dale Kline. “I am honored to join CHL at this critical time and collaborate with talented and empathetic teams to achieve the organization’s goals for this important program.”

Community Healthlink Reopens Transitional Support Service Program

By David Sweeney • 01 Apr, 2024
UMass Memorial Health – Community Healthlink announced today that it has reopened its Transitional Support Services (TSS) program. TSS is a 24/7 substance use disorder recovery program.

Celebrating 40 Years of Service: Dr. Richard Hummel Honored for a Lifetime of Dedication

By Max Sarro • 06 Oct, 2023
On Thursday, October 5, Worcester Mayor Joe Petty awarded the Key to the City to Dr. Richard Hummel in recognition of his four decades of service to Community Healthlink and the Worcester community. Dr. Hummel is a clinical psychologist known for his tireless commitment to his work and humanitarian efforts that have touched the lives of countless individuals.  His journey began in 1983 when he joined the Worcester Youth Guidance Center (WYG) as a clinician. Over the years, he became an integral part of the team, witnessing the merger of WYG with CHL and contributing significantly to community-based programs, particularly at Plumley Village. Residents there benefited from his expertise in group therapy, tutoring, and art and music therapy. His dedication extended to the psychology training program at CHL, where Dr. Hummel became a respected figure, offering seminars on topics like attachment, domestic violence, childhood abuse, and neglect. Currently, he works in the Juvenile Court Clinic (ICC) and the Together for Kids (TFK) program, where he plays a crucial role in helping at-risk children find a path to success, preventing school expulsions, and assessing risk in youth displaying dangerous behaviors. Not only does Dr. Hummel excel in his professional roles, but he also extends his expertise to private practice, providing consultation, assessment, and staff training for various agencies, including the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, and court-involved individuals. Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Hummel's participates in pick-up soccer games that unite diverse immigrant groups, fostering inclusivity and cultural exchange. Additionally, he volunteers his musical talents by playing the trumpet and drums at his church every Sunday. Dr. Hummel and his wife, Betsy, are deeply involved with the Worcester Alliance for Refugee Ministry (WARM). During the pandemic, he organized drum circles for refugee men and provided support to refugee youth through a learning pod at WARM. He also coordinated soccer and volleyball games at WARM picnics, further enriching the lives of Worcester's refugee community.
Share by: