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152 HEART OF THE COMMONWEALTH: Profiles of Excellence F or nearly 40 years, e Bridge of Central Massachusetts has been providing programs and services for individuals with mental health challenges, acquired brain injury and developmental disabilities. During these four decades, e Bridge has grown into a $24 million organization with 550 employees and 40+ programs throughout Central and Eastern Massachusetts and has earned a well-deserved reputation as a leader in providing evidence-based and best practice treatment. e organization began in 1973 as a "bridge" for boys leaving the Lyman School. Simultaneously, a group of professionals launched an aer-school program for adolescents at Worcester State Hospital; these individuals later established the Community Treatment Center (CTC). A 1997 merger wedded e Bridge with CTC and Barent Walsh, Ph.D., who had been CTC's executive director, assumed that role in the newly created organization. Considered the backbone of the organization, Walsh brings clinical passion and a high level of expertise to e Bridge. With an emphasis on evidence-based practice, including Dialectical Behavior erapy (DBT), Illness Management and Recovery (IMR), and Cognitive Restructuring (CR) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), e Bridge offers a range of programs for children, adolescents, transition-age youth, adults and families. Types of services include residential and supported housing, flexible home-based services for children, adults and families, and special education for children from eight to 13. Most services of e Bridge are offered through a closed referral system with referring sources such as the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Developmental Disabilities, among others. Since 1992, Safe Homes, a weekly drop-in center for those who identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning), has been providing one-to-one counseling, peer support and community education. is program does not require referrals and welcomes youth ages 14 – 23. e Bridge also offers Trauma Response Services, providing trained personnel to respond with psychological first aid for schools, agencies, communities and individuals experiencing a traumatic event. e Bridge has also implemented supported employment programs in Central Massachusetts, helping to expand the number and diversity of employers and employment opportunities available to individuals with disabilities. Committed to ongoing education, e Bridge offers the Training Institute to provide training on evidence-based treatment for human service professionals and licensed clinicians, typically offering 10 to 12 programs annually. While e Bridge primarily focuses on psychosocial aspects of care, in recent years the organization has also turned its attention to the fact that those with mental health challenges or developmental disabilities live on average 20-25 years less than others due to preventable conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Working to address that concern, the Bridge began the Health and Wellness Initiative to provide nutrition education and support, physical activity, smoking cessation and lifestyle education programs for both clients and staff. In 2003, e Bridge moved its headquarters from Northborough to 4 Mann Street in the Tatnuck section of Worcester, also expanding its programs, the number of individuals it serves and its geographic footprint. Moving forward, e Bridge aims to increase its use of evidence- based practice in all programs and services and will continue to seek models that achieve positive outcomes for individuals and families, while maintaining a focus on person-centered care and a warm, engaging culture. n Grounded in evidence-based practice, The Bridge aims to continue seeking effective models of care, while staying focused on the people it serves. The Bridge of Central Massachusetts P h oto / C o u R t e s y teens and young adults served by safe homes, a program of the Bridge.