heart

About Cutchins Programs for Children & Families

Cutchins Programs supports children and families in envisioning possibilities and re-energizing hope. Grounded in integrity, we provide safety and compassionate care that foster relationships, growth, learning, and resilience. We seek to alleviate the personal and social forces that threaten children and families by valuing absolute acceptance, mutual support, and trust. We cultivate allies and community-based supports to help children and families grow and heal through experiences of belonging and connection. Balancing knowledge with discovery, we strive to meet challenges in ways that are authentic to each child and family. Even in the face of difficult challenges, we value the healing power of nurturing relationships, playfulness and creativity.

Contact us Board of Directors & Senior Management

  • 1975 - Cutchins Programs for Children & Families initially formed as the Northampton Center for Children and Families (NCCF), serving as an alternative to the Northampton State Hospital. The very first physical location established was on Pomeroy Terrace in Northampton, Massachusetts.
  • 1986 - Dr. Cynthia Monahon was the founding Program Director of the Children’s Clinic specializing in early trauma and attachment-related services. The Clinic was as an outgrowth of the recognition of the specialized clinical needs of both the residential clients at NCCF and outpatient needs of the larger community. The Children’s Clinic garnered a reputation for providing long-term outpatient services to the youngest of clients and their families.
  • 1993 - Three Rivers, a Clinically Intensive Residential Treatment Program (CIRT) opened. It offers a safe, nurturing sanctuary and healing experience to children ages 6-12 years old with severe emotional and behavioral challenges. Three Rivers is a statewide leader in the Trauma-informed Care, and Building Bridges initiatives.
  • 2007 - The Intensive Family Intervention Team (IFIT) blossomed to provide intensive in-home support for NCCF families upon the completion of residential treatment.
  • 2001 - The agency adopted a new name to honor its founding Director, Carl Cutchins. Over the years, the agency has grown to include other types of programs.
  • 2016 - IFIT services changed in scope and practice and became an In-home Therapy program (IHT). The IHT program was under the umbrella of services offered by the Children’s Clinic. This program was closed in 2019 after the addition of the Flexible Support Services programs.
  • 2018 - Launched Cutchins Care, the Training and Consultation division, and offered the first Annual Trauma & Attachment Symposium.
  • 2019 - Flexible Support Services were first added to our community-based service provision through the Department of Mental Health.
  • 2019 - State of the art Sensory Gym was completed at the New Directions School.
  • 2020-2022 - Operated and maintained all essential services through the COVID pandemic.
  • 2023 - The Three Rivers program will relocate from Springfield to Belchertown, Massachusetts.

Mission

To help children and families transform significant emotional distress into increased resilience, hope and quality of life. To support the healing and learning process with innovation and integrity, and to serve as a model for best and promising practices.

Our Vision

For children and families to have access to compassionate and transformative mental health care.

Our Values

Hope, Integrity, Acceptance, Belonging

Cutchins Programs supports children and families in envisioning possibilities and reenergizing hope. Grounded in integrity, we provide safety and compassionate care that foster relationships, growth, learning, and resilience. We seek to alleviate the personal and social forces that threaten children and families by valuing absolute acceptance, mutual support, and trust. We cultivate allies and community based supports to help children and families grow and heal through experiences of belonging and connection. Balancing know-ledge with discovery, we strive to meet challenges in ways that are authentic to each child and family. Even in the face of difficult challenges, we value the healing power of nurturing relationships, playfulness and creativity.