Community Healthlink Awarded $600,000 Grant for its Together for Kids Program

Max Sarro • Sep 27, 2023

UMass Memorial Health Community Healthlink has been selected as one of six recipients of the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Grant by the Healey-Driscoll Administration. This $600,000 grant will support CHL's "Together for Kids" (TFK) program, aimed at promoting social-emotional development and behavioral health among young children in Central Massachusetts.


Lori Simkowitz-Lavigne, Vice President of CHL's Services division, expressed her gratitude, saying, "We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their commitment to early childhood mental health and for investing in programs that provide essential, holistic services to children, families, and educators." 


The TFK program takes a comprehensive approach, consisting of three core components:

1. Behavioral health consultation for educators and families

2. Training for educators and families on topics related to social0emotional health in children

3. Referrals for more intensive services such as child/parent psychotherapy and psychological assessments


The goal of the program is to establish a strong foundation for success in young children as they navigate family, social, and educational relationships. 


TFK's impact is substantial, serving around 75 childcare programs in 28 cities and towns across Central Massachusetts annually. This translates to approximately 300 teachers in 140 classrooms and positively influences the learning environments for about 2,200 children. Additionally, clinicians offer child and family-focused consultation services to approximately 175 children and families each year. 


With this grant, the TFK program is well-positioned to continue its vital work in enhancing the mental and behavioral health of young children, benefiting the entire Central Massachusetts community.

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.
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