This 15-bed JCAHO accredited Treatment Program has been operated by JRI for over 20 years. Centerpoint is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and serves those adolescents within the mental health system whose illness and behavior require the highest level of care and supervision. The boys served come to Centerpoint after many failed placements and multiple hospitalizations. Centerpoint serves those youngsters whose behavior is most affected by their mental illness. The program offers the residents:

• A liberal staffing ratio of staff to student including nurses, psychologist, social workers, counselors, recreation staff, teachers, and a medical director who is a board-certified psychiatrist
• An approved school funded by the Department of Education
• A comprehensive therapeutic milieu
• Individual, family, and group therapy using ego-developmental and cognitive behavioral approaches as appropriate to each youth's psycho-social needs, and including specialized treatment for substance abuse and other destructive behaviors
• Social skills training
• Nursing and psychiatric services
• Pre-vocational services
• Recreation including many escorted trips for library, shopping and active recreation, as well as on-campus arts, games, and entertainment

The boys learn in the milieu to control their behaviors through improved competence in practicing alternative, non-assaultive means to meet their needs. Centerpoint's behavioral program has achieved a peaceful environment for the residents, and enabled them to function as pro-social young men. Residents remain approximately 12 to 18 months before moving on to less restrictive setting.

Centerpoint is licensed by the Department of Mental Health.

Centerpoint Contact Information

Centerpoint
Southgate Building, 365 East Street,
Tewksbury, MA 01876-0374
Phone: (978) 858-3776
Fax: (978) 858-3494
centerpoint@ jri.org

Carolyn Ingalls, MSW, Director
Mark Robbins, M.D., Medical Director