Community Healthlink serves as the designated Community Behavioral Health Center for Central and North Worcester County, providing comprehensive mental health, addiction, and crisis services to individuals and families in need. Affiliated with UMass Memorial Health and UMass Chan Medical School, CHL delivers integrated care through clinics, walk-in centers, mobile crisis teams, and residential programs.

CHL provides a full continuum of behavioral health services for all ages:

• 24/7 crisis intervention, mobile and walk-in emergency care
• Outpatient counseling for adults, children, and families
• Addiction treatment: detox, residential recovery, outpatient services
• Day programs and psychiatric rehabilitation
• Targeted case management, peer and family support
• Specialized programs: school-based therapy, early intervention, veterans’ services

CHL serves a wide area throughout Central Massachusetts:

• Worcester County (Worcester, Auburn, Boylston, Grafton, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Paxton, Shrewsbury, West Boylston, Spencer)
• Leominster and Fitchburg in North Central Massachusetts

• Individuals and families facing mental health crises or substance use disorders

• Adults, teens, and children needing outpatient behavioral health care

• People experiencing homelessness or co-occurring mental health and medical needs

• Veterans, survivors of violence, and those in school settings

CHL maintains high community visibility through:

• 24/7 crisis phone line and walk-in clinics
• Referrals and partnerships with hospitals, schools, courts, and agencies
• Outreach via social media, regional media, and public health campaigns

CHL’s services are funded through a mix of sources:

• State and federal behavioral health grants
• Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance reimbursements
• UMass Memorial Health affiliation support
• Foundation grants and philanthropic contributions

• UMass Memorial Health and UMass Chan Medical School

• Executive Office of Health and Human Services (Behavioral Health Roadmap)

• Local courts, school districts, veteran support groups, and homeless outreach providers

Most Significant / Surprising Fact

CHL provides the only inpatient adolescent substance use disorder treatment program in Massachusetts, offering a critical resource for youth who lack other local treatment options.

Training Required for Staff Positions

Clinical roles require licensure (e.g., LMHC, LCSW, LICSW); peer support and recovery roles need certification or lived experience

Experience and Education Required for Hiring of Staff

Prior work in crisis intervention, addiction counseling, behavioral health, or community outreach is often needed

Training Requirements / Opportunities for Staff

CHL offers ongoing professional development, clinical training, certifications in evidence-based therapies, and supervision for licensed staff

• Community Healthlink. (n.d.). About Community Healthlink. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://www.communityhealthlink.org/ 
• Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Community Behavioral Health Center – Worcester. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://www.mass.gov/locations/community-healthlink-cbhc-worcester 
• Community Healthlink. (n.d.). Programs & Services. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://www.communityhealthlink.org/programs-and-services/ 
• Community Healthlink. (n.d.). Contact Information. Retrieved June 30, 2025, from https://www.communityhealthlink.org/contact/