Students come primarily from all over Massachusetts and from other New England and Mid-Atlantic states. For many adolescents, Meadowridge represents their best hope for attaining a safe and healthful life in the community. The program employs a trauma-informed cognitive behavioral model including DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) that helps youngsters realize significant behavioral improvement while individual, group, and family therapy proceeds. The staffing pattern supports active treatment with a high ratio of staff to students. Staff includes teachers, nurses, counselors, recreation, clinicians, and our Medical Director, a board-certified psychiatrist.

This program is community and family-oriented, affording every youngster multiple opportunities to interact with family members, local, and home communities, in safe and positive ways. A rich, therapeutic recreation program is supported by the indoor recreation facilities, an outdoor swimming pool, and playing fields at the 6-acre Meadowridge campus. A small animal farm, greenhouse, art and pottery studio, and vocational buildings augment the opportunities for each youth to discover learning experiences and pleasure in positive behaviors. The length of stay averages 12 to 18 months and Meadowridge carries out careful aftercare planning so that gains in school achievement, social successes, and behavioral self-control are continuously sustained. Students transitioning to local geographic communities can be supported through Meadowridge aftercare services, including clinical and visiting resources; training and consultation to the next site or to the family; emergency on-call and respite services.