Children learn and grow best in a warm, nurturing and safe environment. At Spaulding Academy & Family Services, our cottages mirror a typical home environment so that students are free to learn, explore and simply be children.
Every student’s residential experience is unique. Each student has his or her own room in their cottage to personalize with their belongings. Residential life addresses each child’s needs by focusing on behavior, social and independent skills development. All residential students are assigned a dedicated team to help develop an individualized treatment plan and to coordinate with school-based teachers to ensure a consistent approach to the student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP).
Residential Program children enjoy structured leisure time, after-school therapeutic recreational activities, and activities to further develop daily living skills. While responsibilities may be different for each child, the goal for all Residential Program students is to work towards independence with taking care of their belongings, being responsible for their behaviors, and working through their treatment plan goals and objectives.
Staffing ratios range from 4:1 to 1:1 depending on the needs of individual students. All Residential Program staff are trained in first aid, CPR, and Professional Crisis Management (PCM) to ensure children are safe, learn interpersonal communication skills, and understand how to interact appropriately. Our highly-creative staff members are talented in connecting with our kids in meaningful and engaging ways. They consistently make every effort to provide loving support, fun activities, and positive reinforcements to the residential children in their care.
We understand that the decision to move a child to a residential program can be a difficult one for a family. Our professional staff works with family members and referral sources to address needs and concerns throughout the process. While your child is on campus, families and guardians are encouraged to maintain strong connections with regular visits and calls.
Permanency Plan to Support Future Success
In 2023, Spaulding launched a Permanency team to provide enhanced, personalized support to the children in our residential community. This team’s work begins on the first day the child arrives at Spaulding, understanding the child’s challenges, creating a permanency plan to support that child’s long-term goals beyond Spaulding, and providing wrap-around support during enrollment between the child, providers, school representatives, family members, and more. When the child fulfills their permanency plan and is prepared for discharge, the Permanency team continues supporting the child for six months, providing seamless support for the child as they transition outside of Spaulding. During this time, the team serves as a liaison to bridge services as well as be a consistent, reliable relationship to foster future success.
After School Activities
Individuals that reside on campus participate in planned after school activities every Monday through Thursday. The therapeutic after-school program activities generally are physical in nature and incorporate a wide variety of skills and experiences. Introduced in a four-week rotation schedule, these club-based activities have included team sports, swimming, drama, dance, musical instruments, writing, crafts and cooperative games. Each activity has a therapeutic focus and all after school programs promote cooperation, peer relations, and sportsmanship.
Special Olympics
Spaulding Academy & Family Services students are also actively engaged in our local chapter of the New Hampshire Special Olympics. Qualifying students and non-qualifying student athletes participate as partners in basketball, floor hockey and soccer, while qualified students can participate in bowling and track & field. Staff will incorporate practice sessions as a seasonal component of the after school program.
Have a Question?
If you have further questions or would like to schedule a campus tour, please contact Nick Silva, Director of Admissions at nsilva@SpauldingServices.org or 603-286-8901 x204.