The Bridge Program

OUR MISSION:

To provide a supportive setting for students’ social/emotional and health challenges, to assist in accessing their education at MHS effectively and with consistency.

The Millis High School Bridge Program provides students struggling with health, mental health, and social-emotional challenges with a safe, structured space and integrated therapeutic and academic supports as they work toward fully accessing the general curriculum. Some students access Bridge for a short-term transition back from hospitalization or an acute mental health or other medical episode; others are placed in the program in association with an Individualized Education Plan; in all cases the goal is utilizing the Bridge program supports and stepping down to a sustainable set of less intensive services as rapidly as possible given the student’s individual situation. Bridge staff work to build connections with and among students and to foster skill-building in students, leading to resilience, achievement of short- and long-term goals, and development of coping strategies contributing to school and life success.

BRIEF OVERVIEW:

Millis High School Bridge Program Overview

The Bridge team collaborates to provide the best support possible for your student. Regardless of the circumstances that led to the missed instruction, we are here to work closely with you to make sure your student is back on track as soon as possible. We know that when a student is struggling, the family struggles as well. In addition to providing coordinated academic and emotional support, we are committed to providing care coordination and support for you as well during this time.

What is The Bridge Program?

The Bridge Program provides counseling support, academic coordination, family support, and care coordination services to students who are reintegrating into a full schedule after missing extensive amounts of learning due to serious mental health, medical, and/or life transition challenges. The Bridge Program is a short-term program with supports customized to each student’s needs that are culturally competent, clinically informed, and flexible. Bridge Program staff strive to coordinate resources within Millis High School and the wider community - and partner effectively with families to help each participating student reintegrate and finish the school year on track for graduation.

What services will The Bridge Program provide?

The Bridge Program Case Management plan includes the following four components:

1. Direct counseling: intentional/planned counseling supports (customized to each student), on-demand supports; crisis intervention where needed

2. Academic coordination: direct academic support (tutoring) along with communication with a student’s teachers to modify assignments and/or secure direct teacher support as needed for the student to demonstrate sufficient mastery to accrue credits.

3. Family engagement: consistent, two-way communication with parents/guardians about student progress needs; provision of support, learning, and leadership opportunities for family members.

4. Care coordination: consultation/collaboration with in-school supports and collateral providers (available to each student to maximize their success).