Western MA | Serving: females ages 13 – 17
Contact: Robert Shields, Program Manager
t: 413.739.5626 ext511 | f: 413.278.1768 | e: RShields@helixhumanservices.org
Ama Bortsie, Director of Residential Services
e: ABortsie@helixhumanservices.org
START HERE receives the referral from our partners at Family Networks and establish an interview with the youth and their Department of Children and Families (DCF) and collateral team to determine if the youth meets criteria for the specialty level of care provided at our program. Through the interview and intake process, the youth and their team are introduced to the structure and policies of the program.
Helix Human Services embodies a Trauma Informed Care approach and, START HERE applies these foundational practices day in and day out. START provides several treatment modalities: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills group, occupational therapy (OT) group, CSEC Prevention (My Life My Choice) group, life skills group, individual therapy, and family therapy if applicable. These approaches provide the clients with person-centered treatment heavily focused on the development of skills in the areas of mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, healthy coping skills, personal identity, and life skills.
As a trauma-informed agency, the START HERE program employs restorative justice practices as opposed to punitive consequences to teach youth how to learn from and repair their mistakes.
START HERE program residents will:
- Receive an individualized treatment plan developed by a multidisciplinary team that details the specific needs and goals of each client
- Have access to a variety of therapeutic and psychoeducational support groups to meet their individual needs
- Develop independent living skills and engage in pro-social activities on site and throughout the community