About The Bridge
OUR MISSION
The Bridge strives to be the pre-eminent evidence-based and best practice human service provider. The agency works in full partnership with the individuals, families, and communities that it serves to achieve life-long learning, self-determination, meaningful relationships, productive work, and community living through psychosocial interventions and practices. The Bridge also provides leadership to the service community through consultation and training.
OUR VISION
We envision a world in which multitalented and diversely challenged individuals are full partners in the experiences of lifelong learning, self-determination, meaningful relationships, productive work, and community living.
Consistent with this Vision Statement, we believe:
- Bridge Clients and their families should have access to the best services available.
- In turn, Bridge employees should be competent in the best collaborative intervention strategies available.
WHO WE ARE
The Bridge was established in 1973 and serves individuals who are at risk of being excluded from mainstream society including emotionally and behaviorally challenged children, adolescents, transition age youth and their families; and adults with major mental health challenges and/or developmental disabilities. Our passion for serving the disenfranchised also takes the form of operating a program for homeless individuals, a residential program for head-injured, physically challenged women, and a drop in center and outreach program for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning youth (GLBTQ) youth (Safe Homes Program).
All of our programs are based in a framework of evidence-based or best-practice treatments -- treatments that work.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Wraparound Services for Children and Families (WRAP)
• Illness Management and Recovery (IMR)
• Supported Employment (SE)
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• motivational interviewing
• adventure-based therapies
Funders
The Bridge is funded by the Massachusetts Departments of Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Children and Families; Mass Rehabilitation; the Department of Education, referring school districts, fees, fundraising and donations. 
Annual Report downloadable here IRS 990 - June 30, 2010
History
In 1973, The Bridge opened a group home on Grove Street in order to provide a "bridge' to the community for boys leaving the Lyman school. That first residence was founded an operated by a group of Westboro citizens.
Also in 1973, an after school program for adolescent patients at Worcester State Hospital was established by a group of professionals who would later establish Community Treatment Center.
The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, Inc. is the result of a 1997 merger between The Bridge and the Community Treatment Center. In 2003, The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, Inc. moved its headquarters from Northborough to Worcester's Tatnuck neighborhood.
The agency's challenge has been to provide services that enable people of all ages to achieve more stable, productive lives in the community. More than 800 individuals and families are served each year by a staff of 500, and a budget of over $21 million.
Memberships/Certifications
The Bridge is:
• accredited by the Council on Accreditation on Child and Family Services (COA)
• approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education as a private 766 day school
• licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care
• licensed by the Department of Mental Health
• certified by the Department of Developmental Disabilities
• member of the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS)
• member of the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership
• member of the Chamber of Commerce
• member of the Planned Giving Council of Central Massachusetts
• member of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers
• United Way Member Agency
