Sweetser News & Events

Sweetser Commences Operations of Children’s Residences in Plymouth

Posted on 01/04/2006 at 02:04 pm

On January 1, Sweetser commenced operations of two children’s residences on a ten-acre campus in Plymouth, with a third to be added in the future. Formerly run by Plymouth Group Homes, Inc., the facility has been in operation for more than five years and provides behavioral health services for 17 children, ages 12 to 18.

The Plymouth campus was purchased by PROTEA Behavioral Health Services and is being leased to Sweetser on a long-term basis. Citing a need for more specialized services, the campus (under it’s previous owners) was in jeopardy of being closed by the state. PROTEA and Sweetser worked with the state to develop a plan that ensures continuity of services for current residents, while transitioning to more specialized programming in the near future.

Sweetser plans to continue to operate the group homes with the current staff, while adding additional clinical resources as well. Collaborative relationships with other agencies and businesses in the community will continue.

"As the needs of Maine families change, there is a growing need for specialized treatment services for children," said Paul Peterson, senior director of residential and education services for Sweetser. "Our goal is to build on the tradition of quality care established by Plymouth Group Homes, while developing additional services that meet the needs of the community."

Many of the children served at Plymouth Group Homes come from the local area. "We are pleased to play a lead role in keeping these important services in Plymouth," said Peterson. "It is widely understood that behavioral health treatment is most effective when children are able to remain as close to their home communities as possible, where they can strengthen family relationships and maintain community connections."
Sweetser and PROTEA Behavioral Health Services have partnered on previous projects, each utilizing the strengths of their respective organizations. Sweetser is the state’s largest provider of children’s residential services with 28 residences in communities throughout the state, including campuses in Saco, Belfast and now Plymouth.

With a history dating back to 1828, Sweetser is Maine’s most comprehensive behavioral health care organization dedicated to serving children, adults and families. Sweetser offers services that address emotional disturbances, mental illness, behavioral disorders and learning disabilities through an array of educational programs, preventive services, community-based support services and residential services.

Established in 2001, PROTEA Behavioral Health Services is a licensed mental health agency providing mental health and substance abuse services throughout Maine. PROTEA currently has clinical offices in Bangor, Machias, Calais, Waterville, Wilton, Hallowell and Portland, and will soon be opening additional offices in Lewiston, Presque Isle, Houlton and Belfast.

Contact: Heather Chandler, Assistant Director of Communications, 294-4430