Programs
The Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) provides high quality programs and services for children and adults who need specialized instruction or support. SMEC utilizes a team approach to meet the needs of the whole individual in order to achieve greater personal independence and success.
We strive to provide high quality services and individualized programs that meet the ever-changing needs of students and consumers from early childhood through adulthood.
Through collaboration and teamwork we strengthen the resources of our member school districts and adult service agencies to provide the very best in school age and adult programs.
SMEC offers the following locally based and locally directed programs and services, which are designed to supplement the special education resources of our member districts. Our services are offered for students with special needs ages 3-21 as well as adults with developmental disabilities:
Multidisciplinary Learning Center
The Multidisciplinary Learning Center offers students in grades 1-5 with significant physical and medical needs a safe and supportive learning environment. The program is located in a primary school building in a substantially separate classroom with RNs, CNAs, and specialized staff working together to overcome physical and medical challenges.
Primary Language Program
The Primary Language Program supports students in the elementary grades (K-6) with a variety of learning needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, cognitive, sensory and language based differences. The PLP classroom is located in a public elementary school building.
Adult Day Health Program
SMEC ADH program serves individuals age 22+ who have been found eligible for Medicaid-funded Adult Day Health services.
Supporting Adults for Inclusive Living Program (SAIL)
SAIL is one of the Collaborative’s adult service programs. Funded primarily by state contracts, SAIL is designed to offer a broad range of specialized support services to facilitate the transition of young adults with developmental disabilities age 22 and older from school to work and from home to community.
Transitional and Vocational Assessment
The SMEC TVA is a comprehensive assessment tool consisting of several components including: a McCarron Dial Vocational Systems Evaluation, social/life and transitional skills evaluation, review of most recent prior educational evaluations, situational assessment(s), interviews with relevant persons (teachers, parents, etc.) and student observation in a variety of settings.
Transitional Services
SMEC’s Transitional Service are designed to facilitate the transition of students ages 16-21 from school to work and from home to community. Half-day, full day and extended day schedules are available.
Integrated Services Programs
The Integrated Services Program supports students in grades 8-12+ with a variety of learning needs, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorders, cognitive, sensory and language based differences. The ISP classrooms are located in public school buildings.
Alternative Learning Classrooms
The Alternative Learning Classrooms serve the needs of middle school students and high school students with social/emotional disabilites, ADHD, specific learning disabilities, and/or behavioral issues in structured classroom environments with high staff/student ratios.
Therapeutic Learning Center
SMEC’s Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) is designed for students in grades K-4 who have not been successful in traditional classroom settings due to their social, emotional and/or behavioral needs. Most of our TLC students are working at or slightly below grade level; students’ academic difficulties, in general, are directly related to their overall emotional regulation.
FACE (after school program)
FACE, which stands for Facilitating Appropriate Communicative Experiences, is an after school social and life skills group for Middle School aged students with ASD, PDD or other social/language disabilities.
Supported Employment Services
Our Supported Employment Department offers employment options that enable students with disabilities to have regular paying jobs in the community.
Specialized Staff
SMEC offers specialized staffing support and therapy services to local school districts as needed.
Professional Development
SMEC offers multiple professional development activities throughout the year for educators from member towns and surrounding districts. These include workshops as well as graduate courses and can be held in our administrative conference room or brought to individual schools or orgnizations. We are able to provide trainings in areas such as autism, speech and language, restraint training, AAC, SPED and disability law, cultural diversity, first aid/CPR, specific content areas, pedagogy and more. For more information contact the administration office at (508) 998-5599.