The Town of Reading and the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse (RCASA) has contracted with a unique service staffed by licensed clinicians in Newton, MA that helps children, teens, & adults become connected with providers. Get a provider match that meet your specific needs, accept your insurance & has available appointments.  As of 11/1/16, we are now able to offer the INTERFACE REFERRAL SERVICE to anyone in Reading (including Reading Public Schools staff) via the Freedman Center at William James College (formerly the Mass School of Professional Psychology) in Newton.  Below is some information regarding the service.

INTERFACE REFERRAL HELPLINE- 888-244-6843 (toll free) or 617-332-3666 x1411 • M-F 9am-5pm • https://interface.williamjames.edu/community/reading

1. What should I use this for? This service is for non-crisis situations but is well suited for students and families that need help accessing quality mental health care.  Please note, any student or family of the Reading Public Schools is eligible.  For students that commute via METCO or other special programs, they will assist with locating providers near their home or school (based on the family’s preference).

2. What can I expect when I call the helpline? Refer to the links below for information regarding the helpline.
   1.  interface-reading-082916-v1
   2. what-to-expect-when-you-call-the-interface-helpline
   3. https://interface.williamjames.edu/community/reading

3. Is there a fee if a family calls the number? NO! The cost of the referral service is fully supported by an RCASA grant and The Reading Hospital Trust Fund. Once a family completes the phone intake, the helpline clinician will be sure to connect the family to a provider that accepts their insurance and the patient is responsible for co-pays and any additional costs.  The helpline clinician seeks to offer each family at least 3 matches that serve as a starting point to access mental health care.
4. What if a person uses it once and needs it for another issue? People can call multiple times and information is kept on file to help coordinate services.
5. What is a person doesn’t like the provider matches? The helpline clinician will keep working with a person to find options until they make a better match.  The clinicians are also trained to discuss common concerns like accessing care when you have a busy schedule, cost, provider fit, etc.
6. What other communities are contracted to use INTERFACE?  Below are a list of communities that currently use this service.

For further information, please contact the Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse, Executive Director Erica McNamara at emcnamara@ci.reading.ma.us.