About the Conference

This two-day hybrid conference explores progress and updates on the Massachusetts Strategic Plan for Early Psychosis (Mass-STEP). Our theme this year, “Building Bridges for Psychosis”, will highlight opportunities to connect across services to advance early intervention in psychosis. This effort includes partners from many different backgrounds, including individuals and families, government stakeholders, researchers, clinicians, teachers, faith leaders, emergency responders, and all others who are invested in improving our statewide system of care for psychosis.

Hosted in partnership with:

About the Mass-STEP

The Massachusetts Strategic Plan for Early Psychosis (Mass-STEP) is a living document that provides an evidence-based rationale for investing in early intervention for psychosis, and outlines a set of priorities for future funding and program development. A key step in strategic planning is to hear from stakeholders around the state — people who use services, family members, clinicians, social workers, and others — to make sure that the Department of Mental Health’s goals align with priorities in the community. The Mass-STEP represents a commitment to continuous quality improvement driven by those who live and work within this vital system of care.

Joining the Meeting

Join online: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/TY0LkTSlS3uSf6MfJkl1lg

The first day of the conference (November 3) will be held in-person at Bentley University’s Conference Center in Waltham, MA. Both sessions on Day 1 will also be live-streamed over Zoom at the link above, and posters will be made available on this site. All talks on the second day of the conference (November 4) will be hosted entirely on Zoom.

Parking at the Bentley University LaCava Center is free for all visitors. Click here to view a detailed map with parking instructions.

Health & Safety Guidelines

The health, safety, and comfort of attendees is our top priority. We recognize that the fall season is a time of increased spread for viral illnesses. If you plan to join us in-person, please review the safety guidelines listed here:

• Attendees are encouraged (but not required) to wear face masks throughout the in-person event. Masks will be available at the registration table upon entry.

• We recommend staying up-to-date on your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. Updated local guidelines for both vaccines are available on the Mass.gov website.

• Please do not attend the in-person event if you have tested positive for a viral illness in the previous 7 days or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed here. All talks and posters will be made available on this website for virtual attendees.

Continuing Education Credit

Continuing education credits are provided through Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for a fee of $5 for each conference day. Please note that you must register & pay at the links below in addition to your conference registration and complete post-event surveys to receive CE credits. Participants must attend the entire program, either virtually or in person, in order to claim credit for each day of the conference.

• CE Registration, Day 1

• CE Registration, Day 2

The following credits are available:

• Physicians: There are no Category I credits available to Physicians for this conference. This conference qualifies for Category II credits (2.0 credits for Day 1 and 4.0 for Day 2).

• Psychologists: The Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical School, a major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists and maintains responsibility for this program. This program meets criteria for 2.0 credits for Day 1 and 4.0 for Day 2.

• Counselors: The Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5689. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This program is expected to meet criteria for 2.0 credits for Day 1 and 4.0 credits for Day 2.

• Nurses: This symposium meets the specifications of the Board of Registration in Nursing in Massachusetts (244 CMR). This program meets criteria for 2 credits for Day 1 and 4.0 credits for Day 2.

• Social Workers: Application pending with the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. This program meets criteria for 2.0 credits for Day 1 and 4.0 credits for Day 2.

For any questions or issues specific to the CE portal, please email PsychiatryContinuingEducation@bidmc.harvard.edu.