Where is Kolburne located?
Kolburne is located in historic New Marlborough, Massachusetts, six miles outside of the Town of Great Barrington in western Massachusetts. New Marlborough is approximately three hours driving distance from both New York City and Boston. See where we are located.
Where do I start the referral process?
Referrals to Kolburne must come through the Department of Special Education in your public school district as the decision for residential placement and funding is determined by your student’s IEP.
What is Relationship-based therapy?
At Kolburne, building therapeutic relationships are at the core of our mission to enhance personal growth and development, build character and encourage personal success. Cutting-edge research has re-affirmed what we already knew – that focusing on the relationship between caregiver and child (or between therapist and patient, or teacher and student), and changing the nature of that relationship to be healthier and more flexible, is the key to getting better. Unlike a limited view of behavioral changes or changes in thinking, when you make the relationship, with all its ins and outs, the central focus of therapy, the person with difficulties improves in all areas of development and psychological and behavioral functioning. Not only that, but these changes last longer and even continue to improve once the person leaves therapy.
Will my student receive medical/health care at Kolburne?
Yes. Licensed nurses are on campus every day from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and an on-call nurse is available from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. to administer medications and monitor medical conditions. In addition, Kolburne has relationships with area hospitals and medical practitioners and specialists to support specific health conditions and provide emergency support.
Who pays for my student’s health care costs?
All students must have a primary health care provider and must have current health care insurance that includes pharmacy, medical, dental, and vision care. This can sometimes be a problem for students from out of the area. You may continue to have routine health care done in your home community, or you may opt to have Kolburne arrange for your child’s health care through local Massachusetts and New York providers. The parent/guardian is responsible for making any co-payments required by the insurance policy and uncovered services you have approved.
How soon can students have visits with family?
After a period of transition, your student’s case manager and treatment team will work with you to schedule your on-campus visits.
How often can my student come home?
There are five regularly scheduled visits home throughout the year. Additional visits are determined in collaboration with your student’s case manager and treatment team.
How often can I call to speak to my student?
Phone calls will be arranged with the case manager and treatment team to accommodate your student’s schedule.
Will my child be able to continue with their education while at Kolburne?
Yes. The Kolburne School is an integral part of Kolburne’s therapeutic milieu. The Kolburne School offers academic classes for students working towards a high school diploma, self-contained life skills classrooms, and pre-vocational training programs. A student’s track in the academic program is determined by their IEP. Every resident at Kolburne participates in the academic program Monday through Friday, 221 days a year.
Is there a dress code?
While we do not require uniforms, all students are required to dress appropriately, as a community participant and for the weather. Kolburne does not allow any clothing that is provocative or promotes, in language or image, anything that may be offensive to others, inappropriate and/or related to drugs, alcohol, sex, profane language, sexual orientation, tobacco, ethnic slurs, etc. Clothing of this nature will not be permitted for wear during the student’s stay at Kolburne.