July 21, 2006

PACT receives Community Benefits Award for Overall Excellence

The MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center's Police Action Counseling Team (PACT) recently was awarded this year's Community Benefits Award for Overall Excellence at the Attorney General's Best Practices for a Successful Community Benefits Program ceremony. Alice Moore, chief of the Attorney General's Public Protection Bureau, presented the award to Joan Quinlan, director of MGH's Community Benefit Program; Sarah Oo, MSW, director of MGH Community Health Programs; Georgia Green, LICSW, social worker for PACT; and Lt. Tom Dunn, member of the Chelsea Police Department.

Comprised of MGH clinical social workers, a representative from the Massachusetts Department of Social Services and Chelsea police officers, PACT was established to address the needs of children who are affected by domestic violence. PACT members provide immediate, on-scene intervention for children who are victims or witnesses of violence. Early attention is given to these children in an effort to reduce the effects of trauma. MGH social workers are available to Chelsea Police 24 hours a day, seven days a week in response to 911 calls where children are present.
The MGH's Chelsea PACT program is a partnership between the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center and the Chelsea Police Department. The team was the only Boston-based program to be commended at the event.

For more information about PACT, call the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center at (617) 889-8515.

From left, Oo, Quinlan, Green and Dunn