Advocacy Update: Rallying for Amendment #1250 – What’s at Stake, and What’s Next

April 22, 2025

Last week, community members, mental health advocates, and staff from Cutchins Programs for Children and Families rallied at the Massachusetts State House to protest proposed cuts to youth mental health services. The Three Rivers residential program—the only one in the state serving children ages 6 to 12 with acute mental health needs—remains at risk.

But there is still a chance to stop the closure.

Where We Are Now

An amendment to the state budget—Amendment #1250 to H4000—has been filed in the House by Representatives Marjorie Decker (Cambridge) and Mindy Domb (Amherst). The amendment would:

Restore $9.8 million in funding to maintain contracts for clinically intensive residential treatment programs, including Three Rivers and two adolescent programs operated by NFI Massachusetts.
Increase the DMH budget from $376.1 million to $381.6 million, ensuring support for facilities that serve the state’s most vulnerable youth.

The House will vote on or before April 28, 2025, so we have just days to act.

Take Action: Contact Your Representative Today

Use the tool below to find and contact your State Representative. We are in the final days before the House votes on the FY26 budget. Every call and email makes a difference—especially to representatives outside Western Massachusetts who may not yet understand what’s at stake.

Find your legislator here:

Find My Legislator

Ask them to support Amendment #1250 to H4000. Let them know that children across the Commonwealth are counting on them.

Suggested Call Script:

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a resident of [Your Town].

I’m asking that Representative [Name] support Amendment #1250 to H4000, which will restore essential funding to keep the Three Rivers and other residential mental health programs open. These services are critical for children with the most acute mental health needs in Massachusetts.

Thank you for your support.

Media Coverage is Growing

Our community’s story is being told across the state. Last week’s rally was covered by WWLP Channel 22, and the Three Rivers program has been featured in over 20 articles and reports since February. These include the State House News Service, the Boston Globe, GBH, MassLive, and WCVB 5 Investigates.

A full list of that coverage is included below.

A Message from the Front Lines

“There’s no other place these kids will be able to go if we shut down.”

— Tina Champagne, CEO, Cutchins Programs

“These programs saved my child’s life.”

— Parent quoted in WCVB interview

Three Rivers is more than a line item. It’s a place where healing begins, where children and families come back from the brink. Eliminating this program won’t just leave beds empty—it will leave children with nowhere to go.