August 29, 2025 – Springfield, Massachusetts – The Hampden County Addiction Taskforce (HCAT) continues to advance its mission of addressing drug addiction, overdose, and prevention through a coordinated, county-wide strategy that brings together law enforcement, healthcare providers, service agencies, schools, community coalitions, individuals, and families. In its most recent meeting on Wednesday, August 13, the taskforce spotlighted the critical work of several partner organizations delivering trauma-informed care and addiction recovery services across the region.

Representatives from Baystate Health’s Center for Young Children and Families (CYCAF) and the Family Advocacy Center (FAC) presented on their multi-generational, trauma-focused programs. CYCAF provides mental health support to children from birth to age five and their caregivers, especially those facing challenges such as addiction recovery and trauma. Evidence-based interventions like Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and “Mothering from the Inside Out” (MIO) are helping improve parent-child relationships and long-term outcomes.

The FAC focuses on children and families affected by abuse, violence, and sexual exploitation. With specialties in trauma recovery, including homicide bereavement, child sexual exploitation, and domestic violence exposure, FAC’s coordinated care model reduces the burden on victims by streamlining intake and providing wraparound services in collaboration with trusted partners across Hampden County.

HCAT also welcomed RFK Community Alliance, whose LEGACY CSEC Survivor Mentoring Program provides survivor-led mentoring to youth ages 11–24 who have been, or are at risk of being, commercially sexually exploited. With a trauma-informed, youth-centered approach, the program offers consistent check-ins, goal setting, advocacy, and emotional support. The program currently serves 24 active mentees in Hampden County, and 139 youth have benefited since its launch in 2019.

RFK’s community engagement includes partnerships with organizations like ROCA, Girls Inc., and MassHire, and their holistic model continues to set a standard for youth recovery and reintegration. Future goals include expanding services in Berkshire County and increasing access to financial literacy and clinical education workshops.

CHESS Health shared their suite of digital behavioral health solutions that are being used nationally to support individuals across the substance use disorder continuum. Through apps like Connections and Conexiones, users receive 24/7 peer support, evidence-based therapy tools, and goal tracking. With dedicated features for families and bilingual accessibility, CHESS is proving especially effective in under served and high-risk populations.

By partnering with counties and local organizations, CHESS helps improve service coordination and treatment retention. Data from states like Oklahoma and West Virginia show notable reductions in cravings, increased treatment participation, and greater family engagement — outcomes HCAT aims to replicate here in Hampden County.

“We are proud of the growing partnerships and comprehensive strategies coming out of HCAT,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “The commitment from our community, from health care to law enforcement to grassroots organizations, is making a real difference in addressing addiction, trauma, and recovery in Hampden County.”

The Hampden County Addiction Taskforce continues to meet monthly, fostering collaboration among public and private sector partners with the shared goal of preventing overdose deaths, expanding treatment access, and supporting individuals and families impacted by addiction.

For more information or to get involved, please contact HCAT Co-Coordinator Halie Matthew at halie.matthew@mass.gov.