Programs
The Maine Special Education/Mental Health Collaborative School provides a broad range of services to the children, families and school systems it serves. Through the use of multidisciplinary teams comprised of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, special educators, occupational therapists, and speech clinicians, individualized programs are designed and implemented. Although each child’s treatment plan is individualized, it is common for children and their families to be involved in individual, family and group therapies aimed at addressing developmental, psychodynamic, behavioral, familial, and biological issues.

The Collaborative School’s treatment approach is organized around a commitment to understanding the issues that drive problematic behavior and to address these issues in an effective and compassionate manner. The use of a carefully structured treatment milieu, caring and attuned relationships with providers (educators and clinicians), and closely monitored psychopharmacological services serve as the core of the Collaborative’s treatment approach.

The Collaborative School maintains four separate levels of programming organized
around grade levels: Primary K-3, Intermediate 4-6, Middle School 7-8, and High School 9-12. The K-8 programs may serve up to twelve students and the High School may serve up to eighteen students. Each program is staffed by two co-teachers, two teaching assistants, and a full-time social worker.

A consistent behavior modification program provides structure and positive feedback to help the student practice strategies for internal control.

Educational curriculum is aligned with the Maine State Learning Results, and students
participate in the Maine Educational Assessment in compliance with state and federal
legislation. Ongoing coordination with sending schools helps students participate in local assessments as they work toward meeting standards for graduation diplomas and, when appropriate, their reintegration into the regular education setting.

The Collaborative School provides vocational development opportunities to facilitate a successful transition from school to work for each high school student. All students participate in a Career Development class which helps determine individual strengths and interests and focuses on employment application completion, resume writing, employment skills, college preparation, and accessing community resources. Individually designed vocational internships are developed to match student interests and evaluate possible vocational options or careers. During the senior year students are supported in application to post high school academic or vocational training or placed within an appropriate work setting which will continue beyond graduation.

Services
The Collaborative School provides a range of services needed to help students benefit from their educational program: individual, group, family, multi-family, and milieu therapy, case management, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, psychiatric medication services, psychological and educational evaluation, and DBT training.

Individual: Individual work is available to students, as is deemed appropriate and
necessary. Depending upon the developmental needs of the student, this treatment
will involve play therapy, activity-based therapy, expressive therapy, relational-based
therapy, and/or discussion/insight-oriented therapy.

Group Work: Group work will be available to all students and will entail the use of the
peer group as a source of social feedback and support.

Family Therapeutic Work: Family work will be part of the program for all students as
appropriate and necessary and will involve assessment and intervention on a wide
range of family issues which have an impact on the child’s environment. Interventions
and assessments will be individualized for each student and family.