The Student Clinical Intervention Program (SCIP) is designed for students whose emotional behavioral and/or psychiatric difficulties are causing significant disruption in school, but who may not qualify for the Child Partial Hospital Program.
Refer a Student
Referrals to the Student Clinical Intervention Program may be made by special education directors or their designees. For referrals, please contact Behavioral Health's Central Intake Office at 413-794-5555.
We offer:
- Short-term, intensive crisis intervention
- Thorough evaluation of psychiatric and behavioral health needs
The SCIP team includes clinical social workers and child psychiatric providers who perform a diagnostic evaluation, may prescribe medication, and have ongoing contact with students throughout their stay in the SCIP.
Length of stay in the SCIP program depends on individual needs and treatment plan, but is generally from two to four weeks in duration. Following the initial evaluation, the SCIP treatment team meets with the referring school district and the student’s family to discuss the recommended treatment plan, including anticipated discharge date.
SCIP treatment is focused on stabilizing the student’s mental health symptoms and facilitating their transition back into their designated academic placement. We provide recommendations regarding additional services, including educational supports and mental health services, to the school and family.
Expert Team to Care for Your Child
Your family’s primary contact is a case manager specifically assigned to you. This case manager coordinates all aspects of the treatment along with a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including:
- Child psychiatrists
- Clinical psychologists
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Psychiatric case managers
- Registered nurses
- Mental health counselors
- Teachers
Your Child’s Treatment
Students attend SCIP five days a week from 8:50 am until 2 pm but continue to live in their home throughout treatment. Treatment plans are based on individual student needs. They include the following components:
- Psychiatric consultation
- Group psychotherapy
- Family meetings
- Individual therapy
- Psychoeducational groups
- Creative arts group
- Case management
- Academic/tutorial classroom
- Milieu therapy (see below)
Students have one and a half hours per day of academic tutorial time. Massachusetts curriculum frameworks are followed. It is requested that your child’s school provide work assignments.
Milieu Therapy
Milieu refers to the treatment environment. Our milieu is nurturing and respectful. Your child feels safe, valued, and encouraged. They will succeed within and outside the program. Challenging behavior is viewed as the result of deficits in particular skills, and the focus of treatment is teaching these skills.