In Massachusetts, a group of consumers, called Groundhogs, organized themselves in early 2009 to
design, lobby for, and implement PRCRs in the state. Groundhogs has had relative success to date.
Recent meetings with high-ranking officials at the Department of Mental Health (DMH) have
produced interest in PRCRs. A request for information and request for responses to procure the
programs are set to be released by DMH in upcoming months to create as many as six of these
programs across the state. This brief presents a case study of Groundhogs’ organizing strategies,
intended to inform consumer groups in other states and counties that are interested in PRCRs.
First, the brief describes the model and background on peer-run crisis respites in other states.
Next, it reports a history of the peer-run crisis respite movement in Massachusetts. The brief then
presents the theoretical framework and questions posed in this case study about how Groundhogs
has organized. There is a short section on the methodology of this case study. The brief then
reports the results from the analysis of the data that. Finally the brief concludes with options for
organizing strategies and recommendations for other states and counties.
Click here for the downloadable PDF.
