Brien Center for Mental Health & Subtance Abuse Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE BRIEN CENTER PROVIDES A CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, ADULTS AND FAMILIES LIVING WITH SIGNIFICANT AND PERSISTENT MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. WE ARE GUIDED BY THE BELIEF THAT EVERYONE IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY BENEFITS WHEN PEOPLE ARE EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY.THE BRIEN CENTER'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES TO BERKSHIRE RESIDENTS THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE DEGREE OF RECOVERY, INDEPENDENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF THOSE SERVED. WE WILL PROVIDE ACCESS AND SUPPORTS TO MEET THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES, RACES AND CULTURES AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT CARE TO PROMOTE RECOVERY. WE WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS BY WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STATE AGENCIES, INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND OTHER PROVIDERS.
- Income
- $35.7 million
- Spending
- $35.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 2.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 96%
- Employees
- 518
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $351,415, president and ceo end 5/30/25
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $8.2 million spent. THE BRIEN CENTER'S COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION FOCUSES ON THE POWER OF THE LARGER COMMUNITY TO POSITIVELY IMPACT A PERSON'S CARE, GROWTH AND RECOVERY. A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF CARE BUILDS ON THE STRENGTHS OF EACH PERSON AND THEIR COMMUNITY, FAMILY, PEER, AND PROFESSIONAL NETWORK OF SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE RESULTS. WE OPERATE AN INTEGRATED COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM THROUGHOUT BERKSHIRE COUNTY FOR ADULTS AFFECTED BY PROLONGED MENTAL ILLNESS SOMETIMES COMPLICATED BY PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH THE ADULT COMMUNITY CLINICAL SERVICES, FUNDED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, AND INCLUDE STAFFED COMMUNITY RESIDENCES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES.
- $6.0 million spent. THE BRIEN CENTER'S MOBILE CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM PROVIDES CRISIS ASSESSMENT, INTERVENTION AND STABILIZATION SERVICES 24 HOURS PER DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND 365 DAYS PER YEAR (24/7/365) TO INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS AND WHO MAY BE AT RISK OF HARMING THEMSELVES OR OTHERS. MOBILE CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO BOTH YOUTH AND ADULTS AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THEIR COMPREHENSIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS SERVICES CONTINUUM. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT COMMUNITY-BASED LOCATIONS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PRIVATE HOMES, RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS AND SCHOOLS. THE ADULT CRISIS STABILIZATION PROGRAM PROVIDE STAFF-SECURE, SAFE AND STRUCTURED CRISIS STABILIZATION AND TREATMENT SERVICES IN A COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM THAT SERVES AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. THE RESPITE PROGRAM A DMH SERVICE FOR ADULTS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS WHO REQUIRE A TEMPORARY GROUP LIVING ARRANGEMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES AS THEY STABILIZE AND INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY.
- $8.2 million spent. THE BRIEN CENTER'S ADULT AND FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL, COUPLES/FAMILY, AND GROUP THERAPY; PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EVALUATIONS AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT; AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING. INTERVENTIONS ARE PROVIDED THROUGH A PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH THAT EMPOWERS THE PEOPLE AND FAMILIES WE SERVE IN CO-CREATING WITH THEIR PROVIDER THE COURSE OF CLINICAL ASSESSMENT, INTERVENTIONS, AND PROGRESS OF THERAPY. COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS IS BASED ON THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE THAT THE DISEASES OF MENTAL ILLNESS ADDICTION CAN BE TREATED SUCCESSFULLY AT APPROPRIATE FACILITIES WITH A CARING, PROFESSIONAL STAFF. OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES SERVICES TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS STEPPING DOWN FROM INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC/DETOX HOSPITALIZATION TO COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES.
- $5.6 million spent. THE BRIEN CENTER'S CHILD & ADOLESCENT SERVICES DIVISION OFFERS FAMILY, INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND PLAY THERAPY; PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY EVALUATIONS; AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT; INTENSIVE CARE COORDINATION AND FAMILY SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION; IN-HOME THERAPY AND BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT. THE BRIEN CENTER ALSO PROVIDES A "CONTINUUM" OF COMMUNITY-BASED WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN YOUTH, REFERRED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, WITHIN THEIR HOMES AND SUPPORT FAMILIES AS THEIR PRIMARY CAREGIVERS. SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE LONG- AND SHORT-TERM OUT-OF-HOME CARE FOR YOUTH WHO CANNOT BE MAINTAINED SAFELY AT HOME. A SIMILAR PROGRAM IS PROVIDED TO YOUTH REFERRED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CALLED INTENSIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES.BRIEN CENTER INTENSIVE CARE COORDINATION SERVICES CREATES A FAMILY-DRIVEN TREATMENT PLAN FOR THE YOUNG PERSON THAT, INTEGRATES OTHER AGENCIES AND PROVIDERS; AND FAMILY SUPPORT WITH "FAMILY PARTNERS" WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE CARING FOR A CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND COACHING FOR CAREGIVERS THAT IS GEARED TO EACH CHILD'S UNIQUE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS.
- $1.2 million spent. THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMUNITY PARTNER PROGRAM PROVIDES COMMUNITY BASED INTEGRATED CARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES TO ENSURE COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED CARE IS PROVIDED IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AT THE RIGHT TIME, AND BY THE RIGHT PROVIDERS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO REDUCE THE NEED FOR AN EXPENSE OF HIGHER LEVELS OF CARE, SUCH AS HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS, MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION, OR DETOX TREATMENT.THE BRIEN CENTER'S COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER (CBHC) SERVES AS AN ENTRY POINT FOR MASSHEALTH CLIENTS WHO RECEIVE TIMELY, HIGH-QUALITY AND EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, INCLUDING ROUTINE APPOINTMENTS, URGENT VISITS, AND 24/7 COMMUNITY-BASED CRISIS INTERVENTION AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS. CBHCS WILL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES, IN PERSON AND VIA TELEHEALTH: INTEGRATED MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT; SAME-DAY ACCESS TO INTAKE AND BRIEF ASSESSMENT, URGENT AND CRISIS TREATMENT INCLUDING MEDICATIONS, AND DROP-IN TREATMENT AND SUPPORT (E.G., GROUP SESSIONS, PEER SUPPORTS); 24/7 MOBILE AND COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONSE WITH COMMUNITY CRISIS STABILIZATION FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS; TELEHEALTH AND FLEXIBLE SERVICE DELIVERY LOCATIONS (E.G., HOME, SCHOOL, ETC.); PEER SUPPORTS; CARE COORDINATION; ABILITY TO SERVE ALL AGES, INCLUDING CHILD AND FAMILY-SPECIFIC TREATMENT MODELS AND MODELS FOR OLDER ADULTS; EVIDENCE-BASED AND EVIDENCE-INFORMED TREATMENTS TO MEET INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, INCLUDING INTERVENTIONS AND CLOSE COORDINATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS WHO ARE INVOLVED WITH OTHER SYSTEMS, INCLUDING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OR CHILDREN IN THE CARE AND CUSTODY OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1951.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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