The CREC John J. Allison Jr. Polaris Center is a public, non-profit, Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) licensed residential treatment facility, which has a thirty-year history of serving adolescents with emotional, behavioral, and psychiatric problems. Polaris provides educational, clinical, residential services for children and their families and consultation to LEA’s and agencies.

The Polaris Center also provides special education services to students from the 35 districts surrounding the capitol region. An obstacle to the provision of a quality education for many of these students has been limited access to mental health services.

Polaris has established a licensed Outpatient Clinic to meet this need. It provides a wide range of services, including psychiatric care, in response to the complex needs of children and their families.

CREC is widely recognized for its commitment to educational excellence.


Education Programs

Day School Program

• Students in Middle School and High School; Co-ed Program
• Academic Instruction which meets core curriculum requirements
• Other academic offerings: Technology, Computer Science, Life Skills and Culinary Arts.
• Low Student to Staff Ratio
• Individualized programming and transition planning
• Dynamic Behavior Management System
• Individual and group counseling
• Case management

APEX Program

• Alternative Program for Expelled Students; three hours per day tutorial program
• Group Counseling/Case Management
• Close liaison with referring Local Education Agency (LEA)
  

Diagnostic Placement

• Short Term placement; an intensive, diagnostic/educational assessment to determine student needs.
  

Summer Adventures in Learning Program

• 7-week full day, summer program
• Academic credit and behavioral growth
• Classroom and experiential outdoor adventure based learning

Contact: Cindy Rigling, M. Ed, Principal

Residential Program

• Intensive Therapeutic Program for Females
• Children ages 11-21
• Located on a beautiful 6 acre campus in four homes
• Low staff to student ratio
• Licensed by State of CT. Dept. of Children and Families for 34 beds
• Home-like Atmosphere; structured program of daily responsibilities; therapeutic recreational opportunities and community-based field trips
  

Contact: Lily Holcomb, Admissions Coordinator
 
Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic for Children and Adolescents

• Case Management
• Individual, Group, and Family Therapy
• Medication Consultation and Management
• Psychiatric Evaluation
• Psychological Assessment /Testing
• Drug Screening/Evaluation
• PMT (Physical Psychological Management Training)
• Staff Development/In-Service Training

Contact: Andrea Dillon, Treatment Services Director