DEMYSTIFYING
DMH
The
Education Law Practice Group is excited to have Lester Blumberg and Carly
Sebastian from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) joining us to
talk about the services the DMH provides, including working in partnerships
with schools. Blumberg and Sebastian will provide an insider’s look at DMH, the
continuum of services available and how the DMH can support students. Blumberg
will also discuss the DMH’s new policy position on residential placements that
was issued on Oct. 20, 2019.
Lester
Blumberg, Esq. has
worked for the Massachusetts DMH since 1992, and presently serves as general
counsel to the agency. Prior to assuming that role, he served as the chief of
staff, and as legal counsel to the DMH, first as an assistant general counsel,
then as deputy general counsel. He received his JD from Northeastern University
School of Law, a master’s in child development from Tufts University, and a
bachelor’s degree from Clark University. Prior to joining the DMH, he was in
private practice. He has been a frequent presenter at DMH and continuing legal
education training programs dealing with mental health, civil commitment reform,
guardianship, special education, juvenile law and child custody
issues.
Carly
Sebastian, LICSW,
is the director of Child Youth and Family Services for the DMH in Central
Massachusetts. Her career in human services began more than 20 years ago with a
drive and passion to help some of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable
populations. She began her service with DMH as a child and adolescent case
manager, then moved to the role of program manager, overseeing the Service
Authorization Department for youth and adults. As director, she is charged with
overseeing the service delivery network, which includes both the DMH and
contracted agencies for children, adolescents, young adults and their families.
The DMH, as the Mental Health Authority, has afforded her the unique role of
providing direct support as well as a partner with the community to collaborate
in eliminating mental health discrimination and improve accessibility to early
intervention. Sebastian is also an adjunct professor at Mount Wachusett
Community College.