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Merrimack Center

The Merrimack Center is a Joint Commission-accredited Intensive Residential Treatment Program (IRTP) dedicated to providing trauma-informed care for adolescents navigating serious mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and challenging behaviors. Our approach focuses on building each individual's potential to overcome behavioral challenges, develop social skills, and achieve greater competencies. By creating a safe and supportive environment, we empower youth to progress toward a more stable and fulfilling future.

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At a Glance
Offering a therapeutic and secure environment for youth who are coping with serious mental illness, intellectual disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, and challenging behaviors. We do not treat youth with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.

Age

13-18

Gender

All

Referrals

MA DMH

Capacity

Capacity

15
Youth Served

Located on the grounds of Tewksbury, Mass. Hospital, the Merrimack Center serves youth referred through a process managed by DMH and DCF, with additional referrals possible from DYS and DDS. Each youth receives individualized goals focused on learning self-regulation skills to facilitate a transition to a less restrictive setting, including home, if appropriate. Activities are designed in-house and within the community to promote pro-social growth, with volunteer opportunities available on campus for those demonstrating safe behavior.


Clinical Department

The clinical team at Merrimack Center is dedicated to trauma-informed care, utilizing Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to help youth build positive attachment skills, self-regulation, and competency in various areas. Services provided include individual, family, and group therapy, case management, transition planning, and in-home family-based therapies as needed.

Residential Department

Residential staff support youth in developing social skills and activities of daily living (ADLs) and engaging in community activities. Both in-house and community-based activities are offered daily, including trips to local malls, restaurants, parks, and beaches during the summer. Larger outings include aquarium visits, sporting events, apple picking, and amusement parks.

Academics

The Merrimack Center’s school is operated by Collaborative Educational Services under the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The curriculum aligns with the Massachusetts public school system, ensuring every youth has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) supporting continued academic progress, remediation of academic challenges, and optimizing cognitive abilities.

Our Team

No team members found.

My son has learned coping skills that he actually uses now, as before he did not apply them. He has learned to respect people's feelings. My son, to me as his mother, has done a 180 compared to his past behaviors.

Parent

Frequently Asked Questions
Referral Information

Referrals come from Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities, and services are funded through the Department of Mental Health.

Let's Connect

Kafui Agboh

Program Director

(978) 851-0790 ext. 3652

[email protected]

365 East Street P.O. Box 1148 Special Building Tewksbury, MA 01876

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.
Housing
If you are looking for housing for youth or young adults under age 25 please contact William Thompson at 857-399-1905 x23200.


If you are looking for rental assistance for people living with HIV please contact Mairead Skehan at 857-399-1905 x23180.

If you are looking for housing for clients of the Department of Mental Health please contact Maureen Skehan at 857-399-1905 x23230. 

For all other inquiries about housing please check out this resource list and click on Housing and Homelessness. 


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.
Housing
If you are looking for housing for youth or young adults under age 25 please contact William Thompson at 857-399-1905 x23200.


If you are looking for rental assistance for people living with HIV please contact Mairead Skehan at 857-399-1905 x23180.

If you are looking for housing for clients of the Department of Mental Health please contact Maureen Skehan at 857-399-1905 x23230. 

For all other inquiries about housing please check out this resource list and click on Housing and Homelessness. 


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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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