The schools that specialize in children with behavior problems often offer the programs in a residential setting to manage and model behavioral change for program participants. The goals of the schools offering the Chapter 766 mental-health programs are to prepare the child for a functional and rewarding life. The Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton has a progressive residential program for students. As they learn and reach adult ages, the students move into progressively more-independent housing environments, learning to manage their lives independent of the program.
The schools, whether residential or day-schools, use licensed teachers to instruct the children in core subjects such as math, English, social studies and science to prepare them for a college or vocational education, or for the workforce. The Latham School in Brewster conducts small classes for children and teaches job skills, based on the interest and abilities of individual students. The Justice Resource Institute operates many centers and schools throughout Massachusetts for troubled children, youth and adults. The institute has year-round day schools and residential educational programs for youth who need more structure in their daily environment.
The backbone of these schools is therapeutic services to help children manage their behavioral issues by using modification techniques, individual and group therapy, and pharmaceuticals, although the Judge Rotenberg Center minimizes the use of psychotropic drugs to treat behavior problems. The Kennedy Hope Academy in Brighton combines an educational program with intense psychiatric tools to help children between ages five and 21 earn an education. The program accepts severely autistic or disturbed children in a residential setting and employs psychopharmacology and behavioral treatment programs.
Although many of the programs require students to live on-site, all the programs work with the families of the students to keep them informed about the child's progress and advise the parents and siblings about dealing with the child in effective and positive ways. The Judge Rotenberg Center posts daily behavior charts online so parents can view how their child is progressing, both for good and bad behavior.