John J. Allison, Jr. Polaris Center
CREC John J. Allison, Jr. Polaris Center’s educational programs serve children, adolescents and young adults who struggle with learning, emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues. The center offers quality educational and clinical programming to students, their families and/or guardians throughout Connecticut. All services are offered from a trauma-informed perspective and focus on students’ unique academic and clinical needs, strictly adhering to their Individualized Education Programs.
The CREC John J. Allison Jr. Polaris Center has been proudly serving children, adolescents, and young adults with emotional, behavioral, mental health, and learning problems since 1976. The Polaris Center has evolved into a comprehensive treatment center offering a myriad of quality educational and clinical programs for students from kindergarten to post-high school transition. Specialized programming and services include academic instruction by highly-qualified special education teachers, supportive counseling and case management, behavioral intervention and support, a school-based health center, and vocational/transition experiences. The Polaris Center also provides a variety of extended school year (Summer) programs for students whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) require it.
Educational Programs Offered
- Highly-qualified, certified special education teachers in each classroom
- A support staff member in each classroom (such as an associate instructor, paraprofessional or behavior intervention specialist)
- Low student-to-staff ratio
- Creative work environments that meet an individual student’s needs, such as student support center
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
- Visual arts, physical education, and health classes
- Transition services that include work experiences, on-site job support and collaboration with the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services
- Application of classroom lessons to real-life experiences and regular participation in educational outings
- Specialized clinical support services, including:
- Individual and group counseling provided by a certified school social worker
- An integrated family component that includes onsite, in-home, and community-based visits
- Individual treatment plans that include functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans
- Case management provided in collaboration with outside agencies and team members, such as the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, probation workers, mental health providers, the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Access to school-based health services, including referrals for additional mental health services provided by a local community-based Counseling Center.
©2022 Capitol Region Education Council
111 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106 •
(860) 247-CREC