Special Education

The Hampshire Educational Collaborative, founded in 1974 and located in Northampton, Mass., is a nonprofit, multi-service agency that offers a range of programs and services to provide learning for the community's at-risk youth. The organization provides learning by educating and supporting students, teachers and administrators through programs in early childhood, after school, special education and adult education. It also provides professional development for educators. The organization is governed by school committee representatives from its local member school districts. It also has classrooms for children with cognitive disabilities in public schools. Additionally, it has created small alternative high schools for students with behavioral and emotional challenges. The Hampshire Educational Collaborative also oversees a number of regional programs, such as family network centers, community partnerships for children, and strategic planning for families and youth.

Located in Lenox, Mass., Hillcrest Educational Center offers a wide variety of health care services to individuals suffering from mental and physical disabilities. The center specializes in the treatment of boys and girls with psychiatric, emotional and behavior disorders. It offers integrated and structured therapeutic, medical, educational and residential programs that are designed to foster self-esteem and social competence among residents. Its services include behavioral skills training, adventure-based counseling, individual and group therapy, growth stimulating activities, behavior motivational system, recreational and prevocational services, and individualized special education and rehabilitation services. Its more than 14-acre campus comprises athletic fields, a playground, swimming pools, a go-kart track and a fully equipped gymnasium. It also offers activities, such as camping, biking, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and skiing.