Our mission

is to break down the financial barriers preventing people with severe mental illness from accessing the care and support they need.

We envision

a system of cost-effective care options for every patient suffering from severe mental illness, providing support in hospitals, at home, and in their daily lives.
​The Living Assistance Fund (LAF) was established in partnership with nationally ranked McLean Hospital.  In 2017, The Living Assistance Fund has provided the financial support to establish a Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) at McLean Hospital that is incorporating patient-centered care and Open Dialogue principles. In addition, this new program includes a scholarship bed providing free support 365 days a year. The entire program is more affordable than most and strategically focusing on avenues to seek health insurance reimbursement in the future. 

After only one year, the PACT@McLean program was made a cost center of the hospital - moving from pilot program to permanent program. Since 2018, LAF has been supporting individuals in the program through scholarships.

Work in 2020 has focused on creating a pathway for PACT programs (and other 24x7x365 modalities) to be covered by health insurance policies. In Illinois, a law was passed in 2019 that covers both PACT and Coordinated Specialty Care which focuses on individuals experience their first psychotic break.

 LAF is working on building the foundation to have similar legislation passed in Massachusetts. You can read about why this problem is important here.