EASTCONN Clinical Developmental and Therapeutic Program (CDT) is a therapeutic education program serving students in grades K-12 at 832 Main Street in Willimantic, CT. The program brings together two established Clinical, Developmental, and Therapeutic programs, the Northeast Regional Program (NRP) and the Educational and Vocational Center (EVC), to offer a consistent, high-quality model of support.
EASTCONN CDT provides structured, supportive classrooms where students build academic, functional, social, emotional, and behavioral skills. Using evidence-based practices and individualized supports, our team helps students make meaningful progress and prepare for successful transitions to less restrictive settings, including a return to their local public schools.
What makes EASTCONN CDT unique?
What sets EASTCONN CDT apart is our focus on personalized instruction and a flexible teaching approach that support meaningful student growth. Our experienced multidisciplinary team works closely with educators, families, districts and external agencies and service providers to provide consistent, coordinated support for each student.
We serve students who learn best in small groups as well as students who need fully individualized instruction, including Discrete Trial Instruction. We use data to guide our decisions and adjust or fade supports when appropriate, helping students build independence at a pace that makes sense for them. Our staff are trained to build strong, trusting relationships so students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn and develop skills that may have made school challenging in the past.
The CDT Multidisciplinary Team
Each team member contributes to a student-centered approach, collaborating to implement individualized programming, monitor progress, and adjust supports as needed to help students achieve their academic, social, emotional, and behavioral goals.
Instructional and Academic Support
- Special Education Teachers
- Student Support Specialists
- ABA Instructors
- Intervention Specialist
- Educational Coordinator
- Administrators
- Physical Education Teachers
- Art Instructor
Behavioral and Clinical Support
- Director of Clinical Services
- Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)
- School Psychologist
- Clinicians
- Lead Clinician
- Behavior Coaches
- Consulting Psychiatrist to support families and students on-site or virtual
Therapy and Related Services
- Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)
- Physical Therapist (PT)
- Occupational Therapist (OT)
- Assistive Technology (AT)/ AAC Specialist
- School Nurse
Transition Support
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Employment Coordinators / Drivers
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Transition Specialist - Liaison to families and outside agencies
Learning, Instruction, and Student Supports
EASTCONN CDT provides standards-based instruction in small-group and one-to-one settings when needed, aligned with the goals and objectives outlined in each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students access instruction in all major content areas, including English language arts, transition, mathematics, science, and social studies, while also working toward their individualized IEP goals. All students engage in instruction through a functional, real-world lens, with opportunities to develop activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, cooking, communication, and task completion. In addition, middle and high school students participate in comprehensive transition programming that builds goal-setting skills, promotes independence, and supports exploration of post-secondary education and career pathways.
Students participate in a full school experience that includes specials such as physical education, art, and health. Instruction is designed to engage students, build skills, and ensure access to learning across all areas.
Curriculum design incorporates project-based learning and real-world applications. Lessons are differentiated to support students in accessing grade-level content whenever appropriate, using evidence-based instructional strategies and behavior supports to maximize growth.
EASTCONN CDT uses data-driven decision-making for all content areas, including behavioral and social emotional domains, through frequent and systematic progress monitoring across providers and settings. Student data are reviewed regularly to guide instructional decisions, adjust supports, and fade interventions when appropriate to promote independence.
Students are supported in developing self-awareness, self-advocacy, and goal-setting skills. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to participate meaningfully in the IEP process, sharing their strengths, needs, and goals, reinforcing a student-centered approach to learning and planning.
Our Approach: Clinical/Behavioral
- A multi-tiered, school-wide positive behavior framework is focused on both trauma-informed proactive strategies, and teaching, modeling, and reinforcing social-emotional skills
- Regular collaboration between clinicians, teachers, and other multi-disciplinary team members to design a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environments for all students
- Opportunities to learn and practice social-emotional skills with developmentally appropriate peers
- Increased communication and collaboration with families and community providers
- Consulting Psychiatrist to support families and students on-site or virtual
Our Approach: Transition and Employment Services
- Innovative community-based programming supports students in acquiring the necessary skills for competitive employment and post-secondary options.
- EASTCONN CDT services include:
- Assessment of skills and abilities
- Participation in small group/individualized instruction and community tours to local businesses
- Guest speakers share their trades, education, and experiences
- Paid Internships for students 16 years and older
- Assistance with applying to post-secondary options, including college/vocational schools and/or planning for transition services
Our Approach: Home-School Collaboration
- On-going communication between school staff (teachers, clinicians, administrators) and families to maximize student success at school, at home and in the community
- Support for families interested in obtaining services from community-based agencies/individual providers
- Open houses, family nights, parent support groups and parent-teacher conferences
New Student Referral Process for EASTCONN's CDT Program
- The home/sending district emails a referral packet to our Director of Clinical Services, Kurt Mias, at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . - The referral packet should include copies of the following (most recent available):
- Updated parent/guardian contact information
- Physical and immunization records
- IEP
- Re-evaluation/triennial assessments
- Relevant behavioral data
- Relevant academic data
- FBA/BIP (if applicable)
- Credit sheet/transcripts (high school)
- Attendance records
- Other relevant evaluations (if applicable)
- The EASTCONN CDT Team reviews the refrral packet information and schedules an interview with the student and family.
- This interview is conducted at EASTCONN's CDT program and includes the clinical director, CDT principal, and a clinician.
- Following the interview, the EASTCONN CDT team makes a determination about acceptance into the program. The sending district is then notified of the decision.
- If all shareholders are in agreement, a placement PPT is held to determine the student's start date at EASTCONN's CDT program.
School Calendars
CDT Q&As
- How many students are in each class? What is the staffing ratio?
- Each classroom has no more than seven students, with at least three staff. We have a certified special education teacher who case manages all the students in their classroom, as well as 2 Student Support Specialists.
- Do students ever return to their home school?
- Yes, our goal is always to consider the least restrictive environment (LRE) for each student. If a student demonstrates their readiness to return to a less restrictive environment, EASTCONN CDT will work in tandem with the sending district to develop a transition plan to ensure the successful return of the student.
- Do you have after-school activities?
- At this time, given the nature of our programs and how many sending towns we accommodate, we are unable to hold after school-activities. We do, however, have clubs built into our weekly schedule. Students choose from a number of clubs that meet their interests. In the past we have offered such clubs as fishing, baking, sports, knitting, arts and crafts, and music, to name a few.
- What are the typical school day hours?
- Our school hours are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
- How does my child get transportation to the school?
- Transportation is arranged between the sending district and the parents/guardians.
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