Over the past two decades, MACA has launched and sustained strategic initiatives to expand access to therapeutic interventions for child victims of abuse. In partnership with our 12 member Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs), we have worked to reduce barriers to mental health treatment and integrate therapeutic services into the coordinated, multidisciplinary model of care. This commitment ensures that children receive not only support during investigations, but also evidence-based treatment tailored to their emotional and developmental needs.
MACA convenes our Access to Mental Health Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Baystate Health, community mental health providers, and CAC directors which ensures our work is addressing the needs of children who have experienced trauma. Guided by the expertise of this Board, our efforts focus on expanding trauma-informed services and reducing waitlists. Notable initiatives include a statewide Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Learning Collaborative, which trained 75 therapists in partnership with certified trainers from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN).
In 2020, we launched a telehealth TF-CBT training to prepare clinicians for virtual service delivery, followed by a TF-CBT for CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) training, specifically designed for children who have been commercially sexually exploited.
MACA was selected by the Massachusetts Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Task Force to lead a PSB-CBT (Problematic Sexual Behavior Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) Learning Collaborative, building clinical capacity in this emerging area of treatment. In collaboration with expert trainers from the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth (NCSBY) and the University of Oklahoma, we continue to train clinicians serving CACs in this evidence-based intervention. Moreover, we partner with the University of Massachusetts Lowell, which provides a robust evaluation component for the project.
In 2024, Christa Collier and Christina Paskewicz presented at both the MASOC Lunch and Learn event and the Children’s Trust conference, sharing insights into Massachusetts’ innovative approach to increasing access to evidence-based interventions for youth with PSB.
The PSB-CBT Training Cohort #4 trained 12 clinicians from Bristol County, Plymouth County, and the Cape & Islands region, with monitoring continuing into 2025. Massachusetts clinicians are progressing toward independence from the University of Oklahoma, with three clinicians attending advanced training and one clinician newly trained in the WATers model (within-agency trainer program).
Trainers-in-training included Michael McGrath (Seven Hills Behavioral Health), Catalina Perez (CAC Director of Mental Health and Advocacy Services), and Christa Collier (MACA’s Director of Training, Education, and Special Initiatives), who are working towards long-term, in-state trainer capacity.
In her first year, MACA’s Service Navigator, Christina Paskewicz, has played a critical role in connecting children, both with and without PSB, to specialized therapeutic interventions. By streamlining referrals and identifying available clinicians, she has ensured that families statewide can access services without unnecessary delays. Christina has also worked to address complex cases requiring out-of-county referrals, tele-mental health services, and language accommodations, and has helped CACs navigate multi-state cases involving Rhode Island and Vermont.
MACA’s commitment to expanding PSB services includes onboarding new community-based organizations with diverse language capabilities and broader geographical reach. Cohort #5 will include pre-cohort training for CAC staff, MDTs, and linkage agreement partners, covering foundational topics such as PSB 101 and safety planning. Additionally, MACA will provide one-on-one informational sessions, professional development, and networking opportunities to further strengthen the state’s response to PSB cases.
This year, MACA responded to the needs of clinicians and affiliated staff working within Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) and launched a bi-monthly mental health peer consultation forum. Led by Jessica Griffin, PsyD and Jessica Wozniak, PsyD, these forums provide space for case consultation and discussions on emerging mental health challenges, ensuring clinicians receive ongoing guidance and professional development.
By continuing these efforts, MACA is laying the groundwork for a sustainable, integrated mental health response that ensures every child and family has access to the services they need. With dedicated staff, strong partnerships, and a deep commitment to innovation, MACA remains at the forefront of ensuring that children across Massachusetts have timely, specialized, and compassionate access to the care they need to heal and thrive.