Introduction to Our Hub

The Northeast Atlantic and Caribbean Hub of the Center for Mental Health Implementation Support, led by Dr. Ann Murphy, is housed within the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions at Rutgers University. We strive to support programs, service systems, and states in the preparation, implementation, and sustainment of evidence-based and community-informed mental health services. Our Hub brings decades of experience in mental health service delivery and implementation, with the core belief that mental health recovery is real and that effective services can help individuals to live the lives they desire in their communities.

Implementation Science Corner

Community Engagement and Needs Assessment

When implementing a practice, partnering with your target community can provide valuable insight into their strengths, needs, and preferences. Through a comprehensive mental health needs assessment, you can identify and prioritize service gaps and unmet needs within the community.

Community Engagement and Needs Assessment is one of eight core areas around which our Hub provides technical assistance. If you’d like to learn more about this topic or access additional tools for applying it to your setting, please visit our Community Engagement and Needs Assessment webpage.

From the Field

Engaging the Community and Assessing Local Mental Health Needs Learning Series

In July, our Hub conducted a two-part series focused on Engaging the Community and Assessing Local Mental Health Needs. The series provided an overview of the topic and an accompanying resource designed to help attendees explore key considerations that enhance community engagement and align services with local needs. Participants collaborated with facilitators and fellow attendees to share valuable experiences and insights on integrating needs assessment and community engagement into their existing services.

Resource Spotlight

The Community Tool Box

As part of our Community Engagement & Needs Assessment series, we utilized the Community Tool Box resource. The target audience for this resource is systems leaders,

administrators, and individuals leading implementation efforts. The following sections are especially relevant to community engagement and needs assessment:

Toolkit 1. Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships

Toolkit 2. Assessing Community Needs and Resources

Toolkit 8. Increasing Participation and Membership

Additional information about the Community Tool Box can be found under key resources listed on the CMHIS Engaging the Community and Assessing Their Mental Health Needs webpage or accessed directly at the Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas.

Upcoming Activities

Our Hub is offering several two-part series aimed at introducing implementation approaches to strengthen mental health practices. Each series focuses on building skills, exploring resources, and applying implementation science-based strategies and solutions to your contexts.

Using Data to Improve Service Delivery:

Session 1: 8/13/25 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET (w/ optional support 12:00 – 12:30)

Session 2: 8/27/25 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET (w/ optional support 12:00 – 12:30)

Marketing Programs and Services:

Session 1: 9/04/25 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET (w/ optional support 3:00-3:30)

Session 2: 9/18/25 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM ET (w/ optional support 3:00-3:30)

Navigating Roadblocks and Key Drivers for Implementation Success:

Session 1: 9/09/25 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET (w/ optional support 2:00-2:30)

Session 2: 9/23/25 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET (w/ optional support 2:00-2:30)

Evaluating Program Outcomes:

Session 1: 9/11/25 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET (w/ optional support 2:00-2:30)

Session 1: 9/25/25 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET (w/ optional support 2:00-2:30)

Stay Connected

We’d love to hear from you! Is there something you want us to cover in an upcoming newsletter? Send us your thoughts, stories, or feedback.

What to Expect Next Month

In September, you’ll receive the newsletter from CMHIS, with nationwide updates and highlights.

We’ll be back in October with more Hub news, stories, and insights. In the meantime, feel free to visit our website, send us an email, or follow us on LinkedIn.

Request Support

As part of the Center for Mental Health Implementation Support (CMHIS), the Northeast Atlantic and Caribbean Hub offers assistance to grantees funded by SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services and mental health service providers in HHS Regions

1 and 2, which include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We can help you strengthen your mental health programs through community engagement, implementation planning, data use, outcome evaluation, and more. Please review our guidelines and submit a request.