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Meadowridge Academy

Meadowridge Academy is a therapeutic residential school providing comprehensive treatment to youth and young adults with mental health issues, behavioral difficulties, and complex trauma histories. We use the evidence-based treatment model, Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC), to help students build positive relationships and self-regulation skills, and transform their individual interests into sources of strengths, resiliency, and success. Our students attend school on campus, year-round, and have a full day of academic and vocational training.

Two flags outside a red brick building with white columns.
At a Glance
We utilize innovative sensory regulation techniques, animal-assisted therapy, vocational training, and expressive arts to meet each students’ needs while providing endless opportunities for exploration, growth, and independence.

Age

12 to 21

Gender

All

Referrals

Public School Districts, MA DCF, MA DMH, RI DCYF, VT DMH, Private Pay
Our Approach

Meadowridge Academy is a comprehensive therapeutic residential school located on 6.2 acres in rural MA. Students range from low to average to high cognitive functioning, and may have learning disabilities as well as medical fragility. Meadowridge Academy strives to make a positive difference in the lives of our students through individualized care and strength-based, trauma-informed treatment.

We partner with families and communities to meet the individual needs of our students and provide endless opportunities for exploration, growth, and independence. Our treatment program is comprehensive and utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach that includes clinical, educational, vocational, residential, psychiatric, and nursing services.


Meadowridge Academy student feeding a gray donkey, with two other students interacting with animals in the background.Person lying on a bench pressing a barbell while another person guides.
A woman teaching a class to four seated students with laptops in a decorated classroom.
More About Us
See What Students and Staff Say About Meadowridge

Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) was selected as the academic model for The Meadowridge Schools as it closely mirrors our clinical Model, ARC. Both models emphasize understanding and supporting each student’s unique needs while also showcasing their strengths to help them maximize their potential.

Although the curriculum is challenging, modifications are made to meet the individual needs of each student and classrooms are designed to be small with additional academic support and assistance. In addition to the academic curriculum, the students enjoy physical education, life-skills, and vocational training in woodworking, animal care, horticulture, and expressive arts.

Clinical Services

Meadowridge Academy offers intensive and individualized clinical services and interventions. Through the ARC model, our Clinicians help students build positive attachments, self-regulation skills, and competency. Clinicians utilize a variety of trauma-informed techniques to guide students in processing trauma history and developing positive skills to manage difficult emotions.

They include the evidence-based Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART) practice, neurofeedback, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI)

Competency

At Meadowridge Academy, we are dedicated to nurturing students' unique interests and talents to foster their development into areas of expertise.  Our comprehensive competency programs encompass a wide range of activities including sports programs, prom, and field trips.

We also offer off-campus vocational experiences through internships, apprenticeships, and volunteer opportunities that further enrich our students' educational journey.

Animal Assisted Interventions

At Meadowridge Academy, our campus animals provide a powerful therapeutic tool for students with developmental trauma. This approach addresses the neurobiological impacts of trauma—specifically underdeveloped frontal lobe function—by creating opportunities for self-regulation and emotional processing through animal interaction.

Students working with our animals experience multiple benefits simultaneously:

  • Improved self-regulation and emotional co-regulation
  • Enhanced frontal lobe activation and development
  • Strengthened vocational and self-care skills
  • Increased sense of responsibility and positive self-concept

For students who struggle with traditional talk therapy, these animal interactions create a natural pathway for emotional expression. Clinicians incorporate this "parallel work" into therapy sessions, allowing students to process emotions through their connections with animals. This approach enables more effective trauma-focused interventions and improved clinical outcomes.

Our campus also features a dedicated dog park with professional trainers who support both our vocational and clinical programs.

Our Team
Erin Lunn headshot

Erin Lunn, LICSW

Program Director

Erin Lunn headshot
Erin Lunn began her career with JRI as a clinician at Meadowridge Academy after receiving her master’s degree in clinical social work from Simmons School of Social Work. In this role, Erin provided trauma informed care to young people and their families. Erin has built upon her passion working with families and has discovered a newfound interest in animal assisted therapy. She has developed upon her skills supporting clinicians and interns through their work with students and families, which has led Erin to the role of Clinical Director. Today, Erin is the Assistant Director at Meadowridge Academy.
Margaret Maito headshot

Margaret Maiato

Director of Education

Margaret Maito headshot
Margaret Maiato joined JRI as the Director of Education in April 2018. She has spent her professional career working in special education in both the public and private school settings. She sought a position at Meadowridge Academy out of her desire to make a difference in the lives of students who have experienced trauma and empathy for adolescents with invisible disabilities. Margaret received her Bachelor Degree in Special Education from Lesley University. She earned a Masters and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Administration at Bridgewater State University. Her goal is to increase student learning through building confidence in the classroom, maximizing student’s strengths, and teaching to their interests and learning style.
Eryn Maschek headshot

Eryn Maschek, MA, LMHC

Clinical Director

Eryn Maschek headshot

Our son, David, attended Meadowridge Academy for the 2019-2020 school year. We were extremely satisfied with every aspect of our son's experience. From our initial intake interviews through our transition back to home we were impressed by the dedication, integrity, intelligence and kindness of everyone we worked with. The academics were superb in many ways. The teachers were young and were creative in making learning interesting and engaging for our son who would say that he only previously enjoyed the social non-academic parts of school. The teachers made the structured curriculum relevant to the students’ lives as well as to current events at every possible opportunity. David enjoyed the residential staff members and felt that they were a compassionate and fair group of individuals. We felt that our son was safe and well cared for . Our main goal was transitioning David to being home safely. This goal stayed at the forefront of Meadowridge’s work with our family. David’s therapist was extremely competent and helpful and the psychiatrist was insightful in his treatment. We recommend Meadowridge Academy without any hesitation.

Amy and Karin, Parents of Student

Frequently Asked Questions
Referral Information

Referrals come from public schools, state agencies (like MA DCF, DMH, RI DCYF, VT DMH, NH DCYF), or through private pay. We also work with individual case agreements from other states.

Let's Connect

Erin Lunn

Program Director

(508) 677-0304, Ext 35121
Fax: (508) 678-9059

[email protected]

664 Stevens Road, Swansea, MA 02777

Request More Information
Request More 
Information

For assistance determining which programs or services will meet your individualized needs, please fill out the form below. Our service navigator will reach out about your inquiry via phone, text, or email. If you have a question regarding a particular program, please contact the program director listed in the Let’s Connect box above.

Please note that this form is not HIPAA-compliant. We urge you not to include protected health information.

(508) 677-0304, Ext 33150 Fax: (508) 678-9059

[email protected]

664 Stevens Road
Swansea, MA 02777

Request More Information

For assistance determining which programs or services will meet your individualized need, please fill out the form below. Our Service Navigator will reach out to you about your inquiry via phone, text, or email. If you have a question regarding a particular program, please contact the Program Director listed in the “Let’s Connect” box above. 

Please note that this form is not HIPAA compliant.  We urge you not to include protected health information.

What is your preferred method of communication?
Teen Parenting Program
Teen parents are referred to Teen Parenting Programs by DTA. If you have a DTA worker please reach out to them. If you do not have a DTA worker please follow the below instructions. 

How to Get a DTA Worker in Massachusetts
If you need to speak with a Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) worker — whether for benefits, SNAP Path to Work, or employment services — there are several ways to connect with them.

1. Call the DTA Assistance Line
      Phone: (877) 382‑2363
      Hours: 8:15 A.M. – 4:45 P.M.
      This is the main line for general DTA inquiries, but note that DTA has been experiencing high call volumes and may hang up on some calls due to staffing shortages MassLegalHelp.

2. Use DTA Connect
      Visit the DTA Connect website to report changes, view notices, and get updates.
      You can also use the DTA Connect mobile app to manage your account and communicate with staff Mass.gov.

3. Contact Your Local DTA Office
     Find your local office’s phone number in the DTA office directory or by calling the Assistance Line. Go in person during business hours for in-person interviews or to speak directly with a caseworker MassLegalHelp.
 
IRTPS
Referrals for IRTPs come from Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities, and services are funded through the Department of Mental Health. Please connect with your referring physiatrist or inpatient provider.
Employment Verification
JRI has partnered with EmpInfo to provide all verifiers (lender, bank, mortgage company, etc) with employment verifications through a fast and secure connection!

1. Verifier visits www.empinfo.com or 1-800-274-9694
2. Verifier follows process to register by selecting “verify now”
3. After registration is complete, verifier can obtain verification by entering the following details in the EmpInfo portal:
- Company Name: Justice Resource Institute, Inc.
- Social Security Number
- Authorization Code (if verifying income, you must obtain an
Authorization Code directly from the employee).
4. Verification of employment is immediate! If you run into any issues or need further assistance, please contact EmpInfo directly at 1-800-274-9694.
Record Request
Please click here to submit a record request. 
Referral Status
For an update on the status of your referral for community-based services (In-Home Therapy, Therapeutic Mentoring, In-Home Behavioral Services, Outpatient Therapy or our Community Services Agencies), please reach out to Lori McGahan, [email protected]. 
Job Application Status
To check the status of your application log back into the UKG account you created when applying. You can view active applications under 'My Presence' then clicking on 'Applications'  If you have any further questions please contact [email protected].


Check Status
Educational Advocacy
Please click this link for more information on how to access educational advocacy resources.


Request More Information
Request More 
Information

For assistance determining which programs or services will meet your individualized needs, please fill out the form below. Our service navigator will reach out about your inquiry via phone, text, or email. If you have a question regarding a particular program, please contact the program director listed in the Let’s Connect box above.

Please note that this form is not HIPAA-compliant. We urge you not to include protected health information.

(508) 677-0304, Ext 33150 Fax: (508) 678-9059

[email protected]

664 Stevens Road
Swansea, MA 02777

Request More Information

For assistance determining which programs or services will meet your individualized need, please fill out the form below. Our Service Navigator will reach out to you about your inquiry via phone, text, or email. If you have a question regarding a particular program, please contact the Program Director listed in the “Let’s Connect” box above. 

Please note that this form is not HIPAA compliant.  We urge you not to include protected health information.

What is your preferred method of communication?
Teen Parenting Program
Teen parents are referred to Teen Parenting Programs by DTA. If you have a DTA worker please reach out to them. If you do not have a DTA worker please follow the below instructions. 

How to Get a DTA Worker in Massachusetts
If you need to speak with a Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) worker — whether for benefits, SNAP Path to Work, or employment services — there are several ways to connect with them.

1. Call the DTA Assistance Line
      Phone: (877) 382‑2363
      Hours: 8:15 A.M. – 4:45 P.M.
      This is the main line for general DTA inquiries, but note that DTA has been experiencing high call volumes and may hang up on some calls due to staffing shortages MassLegalHelp.

2. Use DTA Connect
      Visit the DTA Connect website to report changes, view notices, and get updates.
      You can also use the DTA Connect mobile app to manage your account and communicate with staff Mass.gov.

3. Contact Your Local DTA Office
     Find your local office’s phone number in the DTA office directory or by calling the Assistance Line. Go in person during business hours for in-person interviews or to speak directly with a caseworker MassLegalHelp.
 
IRTPS
Referrals for IRTPs come from Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities, and services are funded through the Department of Mental Health. Please connect with your referring physiatrist or inpatient provider.
Employment Verification
JRI has partnered with EmpInfo to provide all verifiers (lender, bank, mortgage company, etc) with employment verifications through a fast and secure connection!

1. Verifier visits www.empinfo.com or 1-800-274-9694
2. Verifier follows process to register by selecting “verify now”
3. After registration is complete, verifier can obtain verification by entering the following details in the EmpInfo portal:
- Company Name: Justice Resource Institute, Inc.
- Social Security Number
- Authorization Code (if verifying income, you must obtain an
Authorization Code directly from the employee).
4. Verification of employment is immediate! If you run into any issues or need further assistance, please contact EmpInfo directly at 1-800-274-9694.
Record Request
Please click here to submit a record request. 
Referral Status
For an update on the status of your referral for community-based services (In-Home Therapy, Therapeutic Mentoring, In-Home Behavioral Services, Outpatient Therapy or our Community Services Agencies), please reach out to Lori McGahan, [email protected]. 
Job Application Status
To check the status of your application log back into the UKG account you created when applying. You can view active applications under 'My Presence' then clicking on 'Applications'  If you have any further questions please contact [email protected].


Check Status
Educational Advocacy
Please click this link for more information on how to access educational advocacy resources.


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CARF accreditation badge
Joint Commission International Quality Approval gold seal.
JRI's intensive residential treatment programs, clinics, and community-based services are accredited by the Joint Commission. JRI's residential schools, group homes, day habilitation and Huntington at Symphony are accredited by CARF.
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