CREC’s John J. Allison Jr. Polaris Center has been proudly serving children and adolescents with learning disabilities and emotional, behavioral and/or psychiatric problems since 1976. The Polaris Center School, accredited by the CT State Department of Education, is a therapeutic, state of the art facility and school program, able to provide alternative educational services, clinical services, diagnostic placements, transition services, work-study options, tutorial services for expelled students and in-district observations and consultations.

In addition, the Polaris Center offers a School-based Health Center, licensed by the State of CT Department of Public Health, which can extend a student’s access to routine medical care, immunizations, health education and referrals to other providers if indicated.

A separate Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, licensed by State of CT Department of Children and Families, is available on-campus and provides a wide range of services including individual and family counseling, case management, psychiatric evaluations, psychological evaluations, medication consultation and management and services for hearing impaired individuals. Bilingual services are also available. Clients of the clinic do not need to be affiliated with the Polaris Center academic program to participate. Clinic staff are licensed in CT and credentialed with most major insurance carriers in the state.

Lincoln Academy – Alternative School Program available to Regional Interdistrict Collaborative District Members and Non Members. Provides educational and clinical programming in  districts with the goal of rapid assessment, stabilization and reintegration back to school districts. Available to special education  and non special education students between grades 6 and 12. Contact Timothy K. Carroll, LCSW, Director: 860-289-8131 ext. 3408

Education Services

Therapeutic Day School

• Serving students in Middle School and High School; Co-ed
• Academic Instruction which meets state standards and core curriculum requirements in English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science
• Other academic offerings: Technology, Computer Science, Life Skills and Cooking, Health and Physical Education
• Low Student to Staff Ratio
• Individualized programming and transition planning
• Dynamic Behavior Management System
• Individual and group counseling
• Case management
• School-based Health Center

APEX

Alternative Program for Expelled Students; a three hour per day tutorial program

• Small group tutorial setting
• Case Management
• Counseling services available, upon request
• Close liaison with referring Local Education Agency (LEA)
  

Diagnostic Placement

• Short Term (up to 45 days) placements
• Comprehensive evaluations conducted - academic achievement, cognitive/intellectual testing, projective/personality testing, behavioral ratings
• Psychiatric evaluation available upon request
• Opportunity to remain at Polaris School or return to sending district at the end of the evaluation period
  

Summer Adventures in Learning Program

• 6-week full day summer program
• Academics, enrichment activities, credit recovery, behavioral support
• Class work, field trips, recreational activities and experiential learning
• Case Management

Contact: Michael Halloran, Principal
(860) 289-8131 x3402 or mhalloran@crec.org

Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic for Children and Adolescents

• Individual, Group, and Family Therapy
• Case Management
• Medication Consultation and Management
• Psychiatric Evaluation
• Psychological Assessment/Testing
• Specialized Mental Health Services for individuals with hearing loss
• Bilingual (Spanish) Clinicians

Contact: Barbara Cotoia, Administrative Assistant
(860) 289-8131 x3489 or bcotoia@crec.org