DMA conducted a series of focus groups to assist the Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate better understand the experience of families receiving Family Support & Stabilization services.

DMA updated and revised a chart book that presented a variety of data on the prevalence of mental health disorders, treatment resources, and use of treatment services in California. DMA’s earlier chart book on Mental Health in California was the Foundation's first publication focused on mental health. 

DMA authored a chart book that presented a variety of data on the prevalence of substance use disorders, addiction treatment resources, and use of treatment services in California. It was the California Health Care Foundation's first publication to provide an overall view of substance use disorders in the state.

DMA worked with the City of Boston Mayor's Office of Recover Services and their partners at Mass General Hospital and in the community, with support from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, to create a comprehensive Youth Substance Use Prevention Plan.  

Chapman, S.A., Phoenix, B.J., Hahn, T.E., and Strod, D.C. (2018). Utilization and economic contribution of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in public behavioral health services. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(4).

DMA updated the content of this paper to account for the new Medicaid parity law, and the introduction of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). Also, included was a new chapter that addressed considerations in ensuring access to behavioral healthcare in Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations.

DMA conducted an environmental scan and identified strategic options for the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program (MCPAP). The Department of Mental Health and the MassPartnership used findings to plan for the restructuring and re-procurement of MCPAP teams.

This report, required by Section 30 of Chapter 258 of the Acts of 2014, describes the continuum of care for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in Massachusetts, evaluates coverage for those services across payers, including commercial health insurance, MassHealth and the Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS). The report further examines the accessibility of SUD services based on provider availability and provides a description of specific potential barriers to treatment access.

In 2014, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation partnered with the city of Boston to conduct a thorough analysis of the scope of Boston's substance use addiction problem and selected DMA Health Strategies to conduct the research. With the Mayor’s Office, the Foundation also assembled an Addiction Recovery Advisory Group comprised of addiction experts and community stakeholders to work closely with the researchers. This report, which focuses on how to better align the city of Boston’s addiction and recovery services with demonstrated best practices, will serve as a roadmap for the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services.

This document systematically reviews the capabilities of different managed care approaches in meeting the needs of specific high need Medicaid populations. It is intended to influence each state’s managed care RFPs to ensure that managed care arrangements provide for an adequate array and intensity of levels of care and providers. It is recommended that interested parties use this document well in advance of developing or releasing a managed care RFP.

DMA was the lead contractor to conduct the first behavioral health needs assessment for the Massachusetts State Health Planning Council in partnership with EBD Consulting and JEN Associates.  This assessment analyzed data on the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders, the capacity of the state's licensed mental health and substance abuse continuum of care, and utilization data from Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial health plans.

DMA prepared a comprehensive policy report for the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation on continued efforts to close state institutions for people with developmental disabilities and transitioning to shared office space for state agencies.

DMA prepared a comprehensive review focused on system needs, geographic variation in utilization, and new payment policies. Recommendations included "1) Development of "recovery home" or "clinical home" models in which case managers coordinate care for, and bear responsibility for outcomes of, the consumers they serve. 2) Under Medicaid 1915(b) waiver authority, consider pilot managed mental health care approaches (such as organized delivery systems) that cover one or more counties.

DMA developed 14 Issue Briefs on behalf of SAMHSA's CSAT around employer and employee responses to substance use.  Topics included:  Save Money by Assuring Access to SA Treatment; Oder Workers and Substance Abuse; Younger Workers and Substance Abuse; What Your Need to Know About Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders; Addressing Employee Alcohol Problem; Addressing Employee Drug Problems; The Cost of Substance Abuse; Encourage Workers to Get Help for Substance Use Problems; EAPs that Address Substance Abuse Save Money; Support Workers in Recovery; Resources for Employers; What You Need to Know About Substance Abuse Treatment; Providing Comprehensive Benefits for Substance Abuse Treatment; Save When Your Health Plans Improve Substance Abuse Screening.