CAPS Collaborative Website & Blog Content

CAPS Enrollment: How It Works

When you discover that a public school setting isn’t the best match for your student, we encourage you to talk with your public school administration to discuss your options.

Find the Right Fit

If you think CAPS may be the right fit for your student, please follow the steps below to discuss with your public school administration. We welcome you to call us with any questions so we can help you navigate the process.

1. Speak with your public school administration to explain the concern about your student’s educational experience.
2. If your student does not have an IEP (Individual Education Program), your school’s administration will determine if an evaluation is necessary. This will assess their strengths and weaknesses while detailing any supports they need to flourish in school.
3. Potential enrollment is initiated through a referral sent by your school’s special education department and/or your student’s IEP team.
4. Once the referral is received by CAPS, they will setup a meeting with you, your student, and your student’s school professionals.
5. You and your student will get a personalized tour of the program location with plenty of time and opportunities to ask questions and meet the staff.
6. CAPS staff and your school professionals will deliberate placement opportunities and if determined that CAPS is the right fit, a placement plan will be developed for your approval.

It’s important to understand that CAPS Collaborative programming is part of the Massachusetts public education system. If your student attends CAPS, they are also still considered a student of their referring school district.

If you’re administration looking to partner with CAPS Collaborative to provide quality services to your students, please contact us or visit the Become a Member District page for details.

Education that Empowers

Here at CAPS Collaborative, students of all abilities reach their true potential every day.

About CAPS Collaborative

Established in 1975, local communities have relied on us to fill educational gaps that require unique attention such as serving students who are medically fragile, deaf and hard of hearing, and those who are faced with social, emotional, communication, neurological, sensory, academic, and behavioral challenges. In addition to educational programs for students, special education professionals look to CAPS for quality professional development opportunities and professional services for hire.

Life at CAPS

At CAPS your student will receive unmatched care, attention, and individualized instruction from highly specialized professionals known for their sensitivity and expertise. Through daily therapeutic services integrated into the curriculum, students establish habits, routines and skills that reach beyond the classroom. Most CAPS programs are integrated into local public school systems, giving your student a comfortable and safe environment to learn and apply academic, life and social skills while also participating in activities with their peers. Students who need regular medical attention will be cared for and monitored by our compassionate on-site nursing staff. The Gateway School is based at our main building in Westminster, MA. Here, students learn in collaborative classrooms where they participate in carefully planned and supervised activities. While each student receives services based on their unique personality, strengths and needs, all CAPS students benefit from learning in a class environment where other students with compatible skills, needs, learning styles and behavior are with them.

Current Member Districts

CAPS welcomes students from across Massachusetts and is governed by a Board of Directors representing our 11 Member School Districts covering these towns: Athol, Ashburnham, Barre, Fitchburg, Gardner, Hardwick, Hubbardston, Leominster, New Salem, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Templeton, Wendell, and Winchendon. Read a message from our Executive Director to learn how CAPS is transforming lives and is excited to help your student meet their fullest potential. We welcome you to contact us for more information about joining the CAPS family or becoming a member district.

Senators

Give your student the space to learn and grow beyond academics with specialized instruction in an inclusive environment.

The Senators program welcomes middle and high school students ages 12-22 who experience autism and cognitive delays while facing communication, social and/or sensory challenges.

Go Beyond Academics

The Senators Program is built on the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis to develop learning environments based on your student’s individual needs. Using small group and a 1:1 student to staff ratio format, classrooms are structured to include discrete trail training, incidental teaching and behavior shaping techniques.

Your student will shine as their instructors dive beyond academics and work with them to help identify and address individualized triggers, build life skills, and learn in a gently engaging way. They’ll look forward to learning through:

• Specialized equipment and assistive technologies
• Practical activities that help boost their daily confidence
• Life skills practice, like chores, in a mock apartment setting
• Developing public social skills, like making a purchase

Plus, they’ll have the opportunity for inclusive learning and activities alongside their peers in the general student population at the program’s public host school.

Collaborative Support That Empowers

Dynamic, compassionate teachers will deliver instruction in a small group and one-on-one format. Depending on your student’s IEP*, they may also get unparalleled support from:

• speech therapists
• physical therapists
• occupational therapists
• board certified behavior analysts
• program nurses

Your collaborative support team is focused on developing your student’s academic, life, social, community and leisure skills while ensuring that they also get safe, appropriate physical movement on a daily basis.

*Individualized Education Plan

DHHP Advocacy Could Reach Close to a Million Museum Visitors

Recently, the Boston Museum of Science – one of the world’s largest science centers – invited Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students to come explore their exhibits. The goal was to get their feedback to help improve exhibit inclusivity.

Nineteen middle and high school DHHP students explored and tested a variety of exhibits, looking for ways to enhance the experience for the deaf community. In particular, they focused on exhibits related to artificial intelligence and mental health. They shared valuable first-hand insights with the Museum’s Research and Evaluation team, who can then help make adjustments.

“The opportunity the Museum of Science gave us to self-advocate
made me feel like I was heard and that I have a strong and important voice.”
-Lucy Howard-Karp, DHHP Student

The museum sees close to a million annual visitors, meaning our student’s feedback carries enormous positive impact. We’re beyond proud they took the opportunity to advocate for themselves and the deaf community on such a large scale.

One of the Museums leading values is to “pursue equity and celebrate every person for who they are, [fostering] an inclusive environment in which [they] value and respect diversity.” Thank you, Boston Museum of Science, for ensuring those most affected by inclusivity issues are part of your process.

For reactions from students and staff about their experience, check out the official press release from the Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives.

CAPS flagship program, Gateway, celebrates the dedication and commitment of five stellar students who overcame adversity to achieve their goals. Congratulations CAPS Class of 2023!

A beacon of opportunity shines brightly as we celebrate our 2023 Gateway graduates! In a ceremony held at Redemption Rock Church, just across the street from our Westminster location, family, friends, staff and community members gathered to honor five students who have overcome adversity, stayed dedicated to their education and now, have officially earned their high school diplomas.

Among the five students, they represent a broad spectrum of talents, interests and aspirations from creatives to history buffs to employees already great at holding down a job. In reflection of their years at CAPS, many expressed their appreciation for a safe place to grow, learn about boundaries and feel heard and supported.

In her speech, Gateway Program Director, Michelle Atter, acknowledged the challenges they faced both in the world and within their personal lives over the past couple of years. She encouraged them to remember these experiences as they’ve helped instill in them the strength and resilience to take on the future.

“These early chapters are important ones in each and every one of your lives. Always remember where you’ve come from and the challenges you overcame to get here. It has helped shape who you are today.”
-Michelle Atter, Gateway Program Director

Ms. Atter also emphasized the importance of looking forward and aspiring to become the individuals they envision themselves to be. As they embark on new horizons, she urged them to carry a kind heart, a strong work ethic, and a positive attitude. By choosing to excel in these areas, they can set themselves apart and make a positive impact in the world.

During the ceremony students were given the opportunity to express gratitude for those present who played a vital role in supporting thier journeys and were encouraged to make their loved ones proud as they pursue continued education, careers, and personal growth.

The room was filled with pride and emotion as grads completed the tradition of moving their tassels to the left side of their cap; a symbol of their remarkable achievement. Class of 2023: We are so proud of you! You’ll always be part of the CAPS family and we wish you a lifetime of happiness and success.

We encourage you to watch this wonderful tribute video that reflects our graduates personalities, talents, memories and even their advice to future students.

Three students from our Deaf and Hard of Hearing program earned a coveted spot at the Gallaudet University Regional Academic Bowl competition! While they didn’t move onto nationals, their experience was invaluable.

First-Time Competitors Take On the Region

Since 1996, Gallaudet University has been at the forefront of promoting academic excellence, healthy competition, and sportsmanship among Deaf and Hard of Hearing high school students through the highly anticipated Academic Bowl competition. This annual event brings together teams from across the country to showcase their knowledge and skills. This year, our team had the privilege of participating in this coveted competition, and while we may not have emerged as champions, the experience was truly invaluable.

Before receiving an invitation to compete, our students had to first take a screening test. The top twenty schools in each of the country’s four regions are invited to compete. Winners of the regional competitions will then compete at the national competition held at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C.

As first-time players, our three-member team tackled the challenge with tenacity. The three-day competition is executed bracket-style with matches covering a wide range of subjects, including Arts and Entertainment, Current Events, Language and Literature, Mathematics, Popular Culture, Science and Technology, Social Studies, and Sports.

While the days were challenging, hosts of the event encouraged mingling amongst schools by facilitating plenty of ice breakers and fun activities at night so the students could socialize and relax. It was a joy to watch our students form a community with peers from across the region – they roller skated, danced, laughed and made new, potentially lifelong friends. They learned about other Deaf schools and programs, met diverse people and expanded their world view.

We are grateful to Gallaudet University for providing this platform, and we look forward to competing again next year. With hard work, we’re sure our students will rise to the challenge and become champions before they graduate!