The Coordinated Social Support and Training Program participates in policy development, program development, and evaluation of home-based programs within the Community Initiatives Bureau.
Our program:
- Conducts surveys and assessments, and analyzes and presents data
- Researches and recommends models of strength-based service delivery systems
- Develops training curriculum and provides technical assistance
- Oversees coordination and implementation of the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) curriculum workshops in Boston
- Provides workshop facilitator training for CDSMP as needed.
- Serves as a liaison to and other relevant government, partnerships or community groups to advance behavior and system change
- Supervises interns in within and across bureau
- Works with other bureau programs on health equity
In addition to the activities listed above, the Coordinated Social Support and Training Program manages Mente y Cuerpo/Mind and Body, a bilingual/bicultural project, which addresses the area of mental health for Latina women 18 and older for whom limited English proficiency is a barrier to effective prevention and care. Mente y Cuerpo/Mind and Body works to prevent and treat chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular disease by addressing depression and other mental health concerns, which may contribute to disease and interfere with treatment. The project partnership consists of: The Boston Public Health Commission (lead agency), South End Community Health Center, and Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center. Partners seek to demonstrate that:
- Mental health screening, referrals and education can be effectively integrated into primary care
- Through such activities, many more women with depression and other behavioral health concerns can be connected to prevention and treatment services
- By addressing mental health concerns, the prevention and management of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases can be improved.