School Intervention Program

The School Intervention Program (ScIP) aims to fulfill a primary goal of responding to the growing need for adolescent treatment intervention for high-risk behavior and alcohol and drug related problems. ScIP offers separate programming for identified middle and high school students.

ScIP serves Dorchester School District II and is supported by a contractual agreement with Dorchester Alcohol and Drug Commission / Dorchester Counseling Services to provide access for identified students to utilize needed services. ScIP offers a multi-faceted treatment approach that involves assessment, group therapy, case management and individual or family        therapy, as needed. Other services may include crisis intervention and linkage to community resources.

Group Therapy is an integral part of ScIP and most students are required to complete a series of six weekly group sessions before they can be designated as successfully completing the program. Group members join together for mutual sharing of problems and discussion of effective communication and problem solving. The group meets once weekly for an hour, and is an open-ended group format.

ScIP’s Behavior Management Group is intended to help students and their families identify and overcome situations leading to or underlying high-risk behaviors. With a focus on decreasing behavioral problems, this program aims to strengthen communication and decision-making skills, improve identification with family and school, and enhance judgment and utilization of internal and external resources.

ScIP’s Youth Risk Reduction is intended to help students and their families identify and overcome situations leading to or underlying alcohol and drug use. Goals include increasing knowledge of the impact that drugs and alcohol have on the body and brain as well as improving understanding of family and social values which impact use. The program helps adolescents learn workable solutions to peer pressure and other drug-free coping skills while enjoying peer groups and activities.

Dorchester Counseling Services accepts Medicaid, Medicare and some private insurance. Some insurance companies cover ScIP under individual or group therapy. For those without insurance coverage, we offer payment plans based on a sliding fee scale.