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Little Heroes

The Little Heroes Group Home provides a supportive, home-like environment for latency-age children (5-12) who are experiencing social, emotional, mental health, and behavioral challenges. Located in the suburban community of Dracut, MA, our program serves children with histories of complex trauma, offering specialized care that helps them develop the skills needed to manage trauma symptoms and successfully transition to permanent placements in the community.

Instructor helping a child plant flowers at a garden center
At a Glance
Providing trauma-informed care for children with complex needs, helping them develop skills to successfully transition to permanent community placements.

Age

5 to 12

Gender

All

Referrals

MA DCF

Capacity

Capacity

12 children
Our Approach

Our services are built on the fundamental belief that children with complex trauma histories deserve a safe environment where they can develop healthy attachments and a positive self-concept. We are committed to:

  • Providing a structured, home-like setting that allows children to experience normal childhood activities
  • Developing each child's unique strengths and capacities through a strength-based model
  • Creating bridges to cultural, family, educational, and community resources
  • Supporting children in their transition to permanent placements

Child's hand holding a small owl figurine next to a potted plant with pink flowersWoman and child playing in a sandpit with toys outdoors.
Two men and a boy playing in a sandbox outdoors.

Clinical Support

Our clinical framework is centered around the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) model, which is integrated throughout all aspects of treatment:

  • Individual, group, and family therapy
  • Trauma-informed milieu therapy
  • Focus on developing healthy attachment capabilities
  • Building skills for effective emotional regulation
  • Fostering a sense of personal competency

Community Integration

We emphasize mainstreaming children in both residential and educational settings by:

  • Developing individualized plans that support natural community connections
  • Engaging children in personal interests through community activities
  • Teaching children to make safe and healthy choices for themselves
  • Building relationships with community resources and supports

Community-Based Services

For children who successfully transition to home settings, we offer continued support through:

  • Collaborative community-based services for families
  • Professional teams consisting of a Clinician and Therapeutic Training and Support (TTS) provider
  • In-home support addressing behavioral health needs
  • Family empowerment strategies to support their child at home and in the community

Our comprehensive approach ensures that each child receives the individualized care and support needed to heal from trauma and develop the skills necessary for successful community integration.

Our Team

No team members found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clients participate in a variety of onsite and offsite activities! On-site activities range from arts and crafts, riding bikes on our tennis court, group sports, and playing in several designated indoor and outdoor play spaces. Our staff come prepared to engage to meet a variety of interests! Off-site activities are vast and based on individual clients' interests. This is included in their treatment as part of the ARC model for Attachment, Regulation, and Competency. These activities can include, but aren't limited to, art classes, soccer, gymnastics, basketball, swim lessons, dance classes, flag football, etc.

Each client is assigned an individual clinician they meet with at least once weekly. Each client participates in various group sessions, including horticultural therapy (we have a greenhouse on site), animal-assisted therapy, ADL skills groups such as how to properly wash your body/hands, baking groups, sensory-based groups, and more. The clients also participate in an occupational therapy group once per week and meet with the in-house OT individually to create sensory profiles, provide testing and evaluations when necessary, and work with each client on their individualized needs.

Clients who live at Little Heroes Home go to school in the community. Our education liaison works closely with the school district to best meet the individualized needs of each client's IEP. We work with several schools to best serve this wide variety of needs.

Referral Information

Referrals come from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

Let's Connect

Kayla Stanzione

Program Director

978-907-3496

Request More Information
Request More 
Information

For assistance determining which programs or services will meet your needs, please fill out the form below. Our service navigator will reach out by phone, text, or email. If you have a question regarding a particular program, please contact the program director listed above.

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

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 needs, please fill out the form below. Our service navigator will reach out by phone, text, or email. If you have a question regarding a particular program, please contact the program director listed above.

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

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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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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