Parent Resources
- Drivers Education
- Work Permit Information
- Bullying Prevention & Intervention
- Health & Wellness
- District Library Catalogs
- US Department of Housing and Urban Development Resources
- Student Insurance Application Forms
Drivers Education
![Driver Education Post]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1692983601/dudley/gwpnlgft5pelqmoflhjs/DriversEducation.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1692983601/dudley/gwpnlgft5pelqmoflhjs/DriversEducation.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1692983601/dudley/gwpnlgft5pelqmoflhjs/DriversEducation.png","width":800}])
Learn more about our Driver Ed Program at SHRHS.
The Shepherd Hill Public Driving School is dedicated to teaching students to drive safely. Our program strives to meet the needs of all students as they begin their experience on the roads.
Click here to learn more.
Work Permit Information
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- Promise of Employment
- Youth Permit Process (Flowchart)
- Mass.gov Youth Employment Permit Information
- Preventing Child Labor Exploitation Fact Sheet
- Department of Labor Standards
- Parent/Guardian Letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - English
- Parent/Guardian Letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Spanish
Bullying Prevention & Intervention
Please find below our District's Bullying Policies. Also, below is a link to the Massachusetts' General Law regarding Bullying.
DISTRICT BULLYING REPORTING FORM
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District Anti-bullying Policy (PDF - 71 KB)
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Parent Information on Cyber Bullying (PDF - 761 KB)
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Parent Information on Security in Online Games, Websites (PDF - 100 KB)
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Anti-Bullying Parent Information Night Slideshow (PDF - 4.48 MB)
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Items from 1/13/2011 Bullying Presentation (PDF - 6.34 MB)
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Elementary Level Bullying Plan (PDF - 263 KB)
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Middle & High School Bullying Plan (PDF - 263 KB)
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MA General Laws - Bullying
Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010 AN ACT RELATIVE TO BULLYING IN SCHOOLS. -
From the MA DESE
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Resources -
From the Office of the Attorney General
Cyber-bullying is bullying. -
From the Department of Public Health
Information for School Personnel.
Please click on the appropriate document below to view our Bullying Policy in another language.
Bullying Policy - English (PDF - 16 KB) Bullying Policy - POLISH (PDF - 48 KB) Bullying Policy - PORTUGUESE (PDF - 14 KB) Bullying Policy - RUSSIAN (PDF - 52 KB) Bullying Policy - SPANISH (PDF - 18 KB) Code of Conduct - Polish (PDF - 148 KB) Health & Wellness
- Teenagers and Drug Use
- Bullying Prevention Information
- The National Suicide Prevention Hotline
- Guidance For Families
- Services Available in Dudley-Charlton Area
- Helping Children Cope with Grief
- Helping Teenagers Cope with Death
- Flu Information
- Family-Friendly Resources for Mental Health
Teenagers and Drug Use
This section is a guide about teenagers and drug use at www.RehabSpot.com/drugs/who-
We believe the right help in the right place can change lives!
Bullying Prevention Information
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Guidance For Families
- Ask your child if they have heard or seen the series 13 Reasons Why. While we don't recommend that they be encouraged to view the series, do tell them you want to watch, with them or to catch, and discuss their thoughts.
- Don't be afraid to ask if they have thought about suicide or if someone is hurting them. Raising the issue of suicide does not increase the risk or plant the idea. On the contrary, it creates the opportunity to offer help.
- Always take warning signs seriously, and never promise to keep them a secret. Establish a confidential reporting mechanism for students. Common signs include:
- Suicide threats, both direct ("I am going to kill myself." "I need life to stop.") and indirect ("I need it to stop." "I wish I could fall asleep and never wake up.") Threats can be verbal or written, and they are often found in online postings.
- Giving away prized possessions.
- Preoccupation with death in conversation, writing, drawing, and social media.
- Changes in behavior, appearance/hygiene, thoughts, and/or feelings. This can include someone who is typically sad who suddenly becomes extremely happy.
- Emotional distress.
- Ask your child if they think any of their friends or classmates exhibit warning signs. Talk with them about how to seek help for their friend or classmate. Guide them on how to respond when they see or hear any warning signs.
- Listen to your children's comments without judgement. Doing so requires that you fully concentrate, understand, respond, and then remember what is being said. Put your own agenda aside.
- Get help from a school-employed or community-based mental health professional if you are concerned for your child's safety or the safety of one of their peers.
- Children who feel suicidal are not likely to seek help directly; however, parents, school personnel, and peers can recognize the warning signs and take immediate action to keep the youth safe. When a child gives signs that they may be considering suicide, take the following actions.
- Remain calm, be nonjudgmental, and listen. Strive to understand the intolerable emotional pain that has resulted in suicidal thoughts.
- Avoid statements that might be perceived as minimizing the student's emotional pain (e.g., "You need to move on." or " You should get over it.").
- Ask the child directly if they are thinking about suicide (i.e., "Are you thinking of suicide?").
- Focus on your concern for their well-being and avoid being accusatory.
- Reassure the child that there is help and they will not feel like this forever.
- Provide constant supervision. Do not leave the child alone.
- Without putting yourself in danger, remove means for self-harm, including any weapons the person might find.
Services Available in Dudley-Charlton Area
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Agency |
Information |
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Arbor Counseling |
Outpatient Services |
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Auburn Family Services |
Provides individual and group counseling for personal, academic, family, and substance abuse issues. Issues include substance abuse, depression, divorce, academic failure, domestic violence, sexuality issues, dating relationships and other family related issues. |
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BCI Locations |
Services: Specialty Early Intervention Services, Home and Community Services, ABA Center, After-School Program, Saturday Social Skills |
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Children’s Friend |
Provides a wide range of psychological services for children/teenagers including: adoption and attachment issues, Mood Disorders, Oppositional-Defiant Disorder, Asperger’s and other Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adjustment Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, grief, and self-injury among others; provides individual and group counseling and parent support groups; skilled in the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy |
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Community Health Link |
Homeless advocacy, case management and outreach services |
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Community Health Link |
MYR is a 24-bed acute detoxification and stabilization program for adolescents 13-17 (18 year olds can be admitted on a case by case basis). While at MYR client’s are medically monitored 24 hours a day and receive a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis, treatment and aftercare planning from a multidisciplinary treatment team comprised of psychiatrists, master’s level clinicians, registered nurses, case managers, and counselors. |
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Community Health Link School Based Director: Arden Bowser |
Associated with UMass Memorial and provides services at various satellite sites including diagnostic evaluations and assessment; individual, couple, group and family counseling; psychiatry services and medication monitoring; collateral contact and consultation; crisis management; psychological testing. Services are provided by psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists, and mental health counselors. Also has school based therapy. They also run Highland Grace House, a 90-day program for girls between 13 and 17 years of age who seek long-term recovery from their addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. |
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East Point Services |
Groups for tweens and teens who struggle with depression, anxiety, stress-related problems Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Court approved divorce program Consultation with parents around behavioral issues with children and adolescents |
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Family Services of Central Massachusetts |
Services include: individual, family, and couples therapy, divorce adjustment services, family mediation and consultation, parenting workshops, Parents Apart – a five hour, court approved education program designed to assist parents in helping children through divorce. |
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Harrington Hospital |
Mobile Crisis Intervention Services are available to all children, adolescents and young adults who:
Services the town of Brimfield, Brookfield, Charlton, Dudley, East Brookfield, Holland, North Brookfield, Oxford, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Wales, Warren, Webster, or West Brookfield |
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How Does MCI Work? Any concerned person can make a call to the Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI) team by dialing 1-877-750-3127. A mental health professional will take your call and will gather basic information that will help you and the MCI determine what type of intervention is needed and the best location for the intervention to take place. The staff person who takes the call may not be a member of the MCI and may ask you for a phone number where you can be reached by the clinician. The assigned MCI clinician will call back within 15 minutes to discuss the nature of the crisis and the location of the Youth who needs the intervention. A person who is under the age of 18 years will need to have a parent or guardian present during the intervention. This does not apply to Youth who are emancipated and considered mature minors. Interventions can take place in any safe, appropriate location in the community, including the home, foster placement, group home, or other living situation. Youth can be seen at school or at one of our community based-locations including police stations and the court. The MCI team will arrive at the agreed upon location within 60 minutes of ending the call. The MCI team will make every effort to de-escalate the situation and stabilization activities will be provided to help keep that Youth at home. All options will be discussed with the youth and family and arrangements for admission and transportation will be made for youth who need a 24-hour, level of care. A crisis safety plan will be provided for youth who remain at home and will include MCI follow-up contact for the 72-hours following the initial event. |
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Harrington Hospital Outpatient Behavioral Health |
Provides a wide range of psychological services including individual, group, and family counseling focusing on issues such as emotional problems, drugs/alcohol, anger management etc.; residential programs, evaluations; has an office in Webster; has a DMH program called Intensive Family Services |
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Housing Authority, Charlton |
The Charlton Housing Authority’s mission is to provide safe, secure, affordable housing for families, elderly, and handicapped or disabled persons. |
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Housing Authority, Dudley |
It is the mission of the Dudley Housing Authority to be committed to working with community, state and local officials to provide decent, safe and affordable housing for the people of Dudley with dignity and respect. |
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Luk, Inc. |
***MUST have a referral from a physician or therapist In-home therapy, therapeutic mentoring, in-home behavior services, outpatient therapy, family support and training and Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative Support (CBHI) through MassHealth |
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McLean Hospital |
Inpatient and outpatient services treatment services for psychiatric and eating disorders |
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Multicultural Wellness Center |
Community support, in-home therapy, outpatient therapy, therapeutic mentoring, and substance abuse treatment |
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New Hope |
Serving Worcester County Provides domestic and sexual violence services. Prevention, education and outreach Supervised visitation |
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Massachusetts Department of Mental Health |
Individual and family support, case management, therapeutic after-school programs, juvenile court forensic support, residential based services, CBHI, transition age youth and adults. |
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MassHealth |
In Massachusetts, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are combined into one program called MassHealth. MassHealth members may be able to get doctors visits, prescription drugs, hospital stays, and many other important services. |
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Massachusetts MENTOR |
They provide Therapeutic Mentoring and In-Home Therapy services. |
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Massachusetts Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children |
Wraparound Services: Therapeutic Mentoring, In-Home, Out-Patient, Psychiatry |
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Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) |
Mission to assist low-income individuals and families with emergency transitional needs |
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Massachusetts Psychiatric Services |
Services include medication management, individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, grief counseling, parent child psychotherapy, group therapy and social skills with Autistic and ADD children, TMS therapy. |
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New Beginnings Wellness Center |
Counseling services provided in school or home |
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Parent Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) |
Provides outreach, education and referrals for improving mental health and wellbeing of children, youth, and families. |
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Pathways to Wellness Associate, LLC |
Provides counseling services for children, adults and families as well as wellness services including yoga. Also provides in school services for children. |
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Pediatric Behavioral Health |
Individual, Couples, and Family counseling; Psychiatry, Group Therapy, Parent management training; Educational Advocacy, Neuropsychological Evals, Diagnostic Testing (ADHD, Autism, Psychological Disorders), Educational Testing, and Developmental Evals. |
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Seven Hills Family Services Seven Hills |
Services available to all individuals with disabilities and their families who are seeking information and resources tailored to their specific needs. Services include information and referral, family training, parent networking, and family support specialists. Family support services, adoption support services |
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South Bay Community Services |
In Home Outpatient Referred to as “Outreach” Services, age 3+ |
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UMASS CANDO Program |
CANDO offers a variety of services for youth and young adults with emotional and behavioral challenges and complex presentations. Psychological Testing available. |
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Venture Community Services |
Adult foster care, community day programs, supported employment, transportation, mental health and child welfare services |
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Walden Behavioral Care |
Specializes in the treatment of eating disorders |
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Wayside Youth and Family Support Network |
Human service agency dedicated family based outreach, residential treatment and community counseling. Child welfare, special education and parent support. |
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West Brookfield Counseling Center |
Services include individual counseling for children, adolescent, and adults; family or couples counseling, group counseling, consultations with school personnel; mental status exams; school and home behavioral consulting, observations and assessments; social skills training for ages 4-19 |
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Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) 228 Main Street |
Food and nutrition supplement to low-income families with children under age 5 |
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Worcester Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy |
Specialties: obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, child or adolescent issues Issues: ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Infertility, Parenting, Suicidal Ideation, Trauma and PTSD, behavioral issues, coping skills, emotional disturbance, oppositional defiance, sleep or insomnia, testing and evaluation. |
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Youth, Inc. (YOU Inc.) YOU Inc. |
Located in Worcester and Southbridge; provides a wide range of psychological services including individual, group, and family counseling focusing on issues such as emotional problems, drugs/alcohol, anger management etc; residential programs; evaluations; GED Young parenting support and adolescent sexuality education |
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Dr. Lisa Galasso, Licensed Clinical Psychologist |
Specialties: Anxiety, Depression Insurances: Beacon, BlueCross and BlueShield, Health New England (HNE), Out of Network, TRICARE, Tufts, UnitedHealthcare |
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Karen A. Gemboski, MSW, LICSW |
Specialties: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, and PTSD Insurances: BMC Health Net, Beacon, BCBS, Fallon Health, Medicare, Network Health, Private Pay, Tufts, unable to take MBHP at this time. |
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Jacqueline Heffernan, LICSW |
Psychotherapist, children and families, crisis intervention, adjustment issues, anxiety, depression, attention and impulsiveness, social skills, coping skills, autism spectrum disorders |
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Alexia Johnstone, MA, LMHC
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Specialties: I provide individual and family therapy to children, adolescents, and adults with mood and anxiety disorders & post-traumatic stress disorder. I am experienced in providing family therapy to families struggling with parenting issues, school attendance and achievement issues, and difficulty communicating with their children. Insurances: BlueCross and BlueShield, Out of Network |
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Andrew Knorr M.A., LMHC |
Provides services for teens and LGBTQ individuals |
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McManus Counseling |
Provides services for: adoption, foster care, self-esteem, domestic violence, family violence, gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender issues, parenting, self-harm, divorce, coping skills, stress management, meditation, social skills |
Helping Children Cope with Grief
Useful Articles
Useful Websites:
Child Development Institute: How to Talk to Kids About Death
Kids Health: Helping Your Child Deal With Death
Center for Effective Parenting: HOW TO TALK TO CHILDREN ABOUT DEATH
Parents Magazine: When Your Child's Friend Dies
Kids Health: How Can I Help My Child Cope With a Friend's Death?
Helping Teenagers Cope with Death
As a parent, you may want to talk to your child about death because it impacts each person in different ways. How children react will depend on the relationships they had with the person who died, their age, level of development, and their prior experience with death.
Your child may: appear unaffected, ask questions about the death repeatedly, be angry or aggressive, be withdrawn or moody, be sad or depressed, become fearful or scared, have difficulty sleeping or eating.
We suggest that you listen to your children. If they want to talk, answer their questions simply, honestly and be prepared to answer the same questions repeatedly.
A variety of teen activities that facilitate healing: (these are only a few examples)
● Writing
● Read an inspirational book about someone you admire,
● Being with friends, take in a funny movie, go to a zoo,
● Crying or screaming, punching a pillow, take kick boxing classes
● Helping others, volunteer at a soup kitchen or be a big brother/sister
● Creative projects, memory books and collages
● Having alone time, listen to music, watch a movie, take in a new band
● Art, daydream, visit a chat room for teens who are grieving,
● Hugging, work for a cause, dance, watch the sun set,
● Joining a support group
● Getting further counseling
● Writing letters and journaling
● Exercising, go for a hike, a swim, take a yoga class, learn to meditate
● Seek additional help if needed.
One of the best places to begin in seeking services would be a call to your child's primary care physician. They can refer you to providers in your area.
Other immediate resources you can call:
Harrington Healthcare Mobile Crisis Line - 1-877-750-3127
Community Healthlink - 1-508-421-4466
Flu Information
Family-Friendly Resources for Mental Health
To assist in getting the word out about HandholdMA.org, a user-friendly website for Massachusetts families who are worried about their children’s mental health, one-page handouts (printable posters) are available for schools to send families through "virtual" or real backpacks.
These handouts are available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, and simplified Chinese. A 30-minute recorded webinar is also available and shows key features and how to use the website to locate mental health resources for children in Massachusetts.
HandholdMA.org is designed to help families figure if their child’s behavior is something to worry about and if so, what next steps can they take.
District Library Catalogs
Click here to access to the Dudley Charlton Regional School District Library Catalogs.
US Department of Housing and Urban Development Resources
- SAMSHA’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline with information on Behavioral Health Treatment and Services and Behavioral Health Treatment Locators
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Tens of millions of Americans get affordable health care and other help through HRSA programs.
