The bill mandates a comprehensive review and update of the case management delivery model used by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH). It requires the DMH to submit a report detailing best practices for publicly-operated case management services at least 90 days before any changes to the delivery model. The report will focus on a flexible, critical needs approach to case management, reflecting advancements in behavioral health research. It aims to improve health outcomes for individuals with complex challenges by enhancing engagement during critical transitions in care. The bill introduces various case management models, such as Standard Case Management, Critical Time Intervention, Intensive Case Management, and Assertive Community Treatment, to address the specific needs of individuals facing mental health challenges.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of conducting comprehensive needs assessments in psychiatric case management to identify gaps between clients' current situations and desired outcomes. It outlines the evaluation of various areas, including mental health, housing, and social support, using methods like direct interviews and standardized assessments. The new legal language introduced in the bill highlights care planning, goal setting, plan implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and client advocacy as essential components of case management practice. This aims to empower clients by ensuring access to necessary healthcare services and active participation in their care decisions, with a particular focus on the Assertive Community Treatment model for individuals with serious mental illness.