Police Action Counseling Team (PACT)

Historically, Chelsea has had high rates of child abuse and child neglect reports to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families and high violence-related injuries in the community. Youth and family violence emerged as the main area of concern for the Chelsea community during a health assessment process completed by CCHI in 1996. In response, the Community Health Improvement Team at the MGH Chelsea Healthcare Center developed programs, including PACT, to address and prevent such violence in its earliest stages.

The goals of PACT (the Police Action Counseling Team), a partnership between MGH Chelsea and the Chelsea Police Department, are to facilitate the healing process and to strengthen the resiliency of children. Clinical social workers from MGH Chelsea are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for immediate, on-the-scene response to 911 calls of potential domestic violence when children are present. Once police officers establish physical safety, the social workers provide on-site, developmentally appropriate interventions and psycho-education to help children express their feelings and concerns, through outlets such as drawing and the use of puppets, to manage symptoms of trauma. The team assists child victims and their families in finding constructive means to reestablish stability after a traumatic event. In addition to direct services, PACT provides training to Mass General psychology and social work interns, Mass General psychiatry residents and Harvard Medical School students, also offering them opportunities to ride with police officers as part of their training experience.