Mount Saint John – Current Programs

     Mount Saint John (MSJ) is a comprehensive residential treatment and educational facility providing youth-centered and family-focused services to adolescent boys and young men who are not able to function in their home community due to combinations of behavioral, emotional, family, and educational challenges.

     The staff and Board of MSJ are committed to meeting the evolving and changing needs of each boy and family who comes into its care. MSJ’s core treatment programs and services include:

Residential: MSJ offers two service options; one for young men ages 13 to 18 experiencing significant difficulties which require an intensive round-the-clock treatment program; and a second for youth 15 to 18 who are transitioning back into the community. Both programs provide a home-like setting that fosters positive social behaviors integrating academic, vocational, recreational and independent living skills into daily life.

Education: The school programs include grades 6 through 12 and are accredited by the CT State Department of Education as an Approved Private Special Education Facility.  Small classes offer both residents of MSJ and day students with Regular Education and Special Education curriculum. All students receive instruction in academic, vocational, life skills, physical education and social skills areas. Students may also earn school credits through on-line Virtual Learning courses.

Vocational: The vocational programs provide a key ingredient to give youth job and employability skills. All our students participate in the programs that include; Art Enrichment, Building Trades, Computer Graphics, Culinary, Horticulture, Small Engines and Woodshop. Classes are modeled as “cottage industries” and the expectation is that students learn skills in areas of interest while earning vocational credits and “vocational dollars”. The students are also given opportunities to apply for work at jobs in nearby communities or volunteer at local non-profit organizations.

Clinical: Treatment services are provided using strength based model and are developed with the clinician, youth and his family. The youth’s strengths are used to overcome problems, traumas and behavioral issues. The program emphasizes strong family engagement both on campus and at in-home sessions. Treatment includes individual, family and group therapy. Additionally, community meetings with fellow house residents as well as topical groups such as substance abuse prevention and anger management take place for all youth.

     All of the staff at MSJ work together with our young men and their community supporters to help create the best individual plan possible to reenter the youth successfully into the community. The length of stay for each youth varies from three to nine months.    

     By carefully and seamlessly integrating the programs and services at Mount Saint John we are able to provide a highly individualized, goal-directed treatment plan for each youth and his family.

Recent Accomplishments:

Within the last year Mount Saint John has: 

• Expanded its Residential Services opening two Transitional Living programs
• Earned a four-year re-accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA) a national  accreditation which signifies MSJ’s programs adhere to best practice standards
• Received a 5 year re-accreditation from the State Department of Education which signifies the highest achievement in Education programs
• Successfully treated over 100 boys, young men and their families
• Renewed its partnership with The National Homebuilders Institute including the Project CRAFT Curriculum into its Vocational program

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