August 1, 2016

New Director of Mental Health Looks to Bridge Service Gap Across State Lines

WEBSTER/SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. – August 1, 2016 –  Katie Adams, a Brooklyn, Conn. native, is the new Director of Mental Health for Harrington HealthCare System.

She spent the last six years in clinical social work, but said as Harrington became more known throughout the commu­nity, her interest in the health­care system peaked.

After learning more about available programs and the dual diagnosis unit being built in Webster, Katie was sold.

“Typically in the healthcare field, behavioral health is pretty low on the totem pole,” she said. “But right out of the gate, it was clear that’s not the case here.”

Harrington already has one of the most expansive behavioral health programs in Massachusetts. Adult mental health, child and family psychiatry and counseling, recovery services, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization program, and an expansive patient access program are just some of the many services the healthcare system offers across more than 18 zip codes reaching across all of southern Worcester County. Harrington has offices in Webster, Dudley, Southbridge, and East Brookfield.

Katie would like to see an expansion of school-based services, and has already met with a number of superintendents in the area. She is also looking at the structure of the current outpatient program with hopes of focusing on a team-based care approach.

Living nearby in Connecticut, Katie’s biggest vision is to bridge the gap between state lines.

“The Webster campus is eight minutes from the elementary school in Thompson (Connecticut) and people don’t even know there are services and programs available,” she said.

The northeast corner of Connecticut remains a market in considerable need, Adams points out, as there are very few options for people in that area for behavioral health services. She feels confident it is a region Harrington can help by providing those residents better access to care closer to where they live and work.

Katie lives in Brooklyn with her husband and five children. She received her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University and her master’s degree in social work from Rhode Island College.