Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Children
(Project Connect)
Nature and Purpose
Project Connect is a program of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC). MSPCC is a private, non-profit, state-wide
child welfare league, dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights
and well-being of children. Project Connect is designed to develop,
implement and monitor specialized treatment plans for children and adolescents
who suffer from severe emotional disturbance. Our mission is to provide
the coordination and creation of services necessary to keep these children
in their own homes, their own schools and their own communities.
Project Connect is based on a model developed by the National Institute
of Mental Health, and is funded by a grant from The Department of Mental
Health.
Tasks
PULSE students would have the opportunity to work one-on-one with two different children or
adolescents as a specialized mentor.
Project Connect tries, whenever possible, to match a student's interests
with the needs and interests of our children. Examples of specific tasks include engaging
a child in various recreational activities on the Boston College
campus, going to a movie and/or being a big brother/big sister for a lonely child. Students will
also be invited to join our inter-agency teams, staff meetings, workshops,
and special presentations from time to time. Project Connect is looking
for students who are willing to mentor and befriend a child/adolescent with a mental illness and
to actively help them see themselves as lovable and capable, and "normal"
once more.
Time Requirements
The weekly commitment of 10 hours would be flexible, although most
of the need for services is during the afternoon and early evening hours,
between 2:00 and 6:00pm. Students would primarily meet with mentees on the campus
of Boston College, but could be asked to take a child/adolescent into Boston
for a special event. Transportation outside of the Newton area or to places
hard to reach via public transportation would be arranged by Project Connect.
Supervision
The Director will provide mandatory supervision on a weekly
basis in a group format, and will also be available for additional support
or guidance on an as needed basis. PULSE students will receive an
orientation to Project Connect and MSPCC before they begin their work.
Education and information on “emotional disturbances” will be readily available
to students, and will be incorporated into supervision.
Supervisor
Deborah Jean Parsons
Address
MSPCC Project Connect
6 Huron Drive
Natick, MA
(508) 651-7070
www.mspcc.org
Council Member
Ingrid Wulczyn
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