Essex County Bridge Program Expansion

“The Brookline Center for Community Mental Health will provide the intensive program planning and start-up consultation necessary to launch the new Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition (BRYT), pronounced “bright”, programs at 12 Essex County schools. This school-based transition program bridges from an extended mental health absence back into a school setting by reorganizing the supports already available within the school to intentionally focus on this population. The program consists of three parts:

(1) developing a customized transition plan for students, engaging family, school staff, and outside providers;

(2) dedicating a school room that is open and staffed every day all day by a mental health clinician and an academic support professional; and

(3) providing clinical, care coordination, academic support and family support. The BRYT program leans heavily on existing school infrastructure (teachers, guidance counselors, school leadership) to be both effective and sustainable.”