CASCO – Spurwink’s Casco Program is expanding its facilities, adding two classrooms for at-risk teens receiving day treatment and a new conference room, which open today.

“This is important because we’re increasing the space available for a population that needs more space in order to learn,” program director Tim McMahon said. “These adolescents require a certain amount of space in order to benefit from the educational services we provide.”

The program, comprising a school and six residential homes, offers community-based treatment in the lakes region. Prior to this addition, professionals providing occupational therapy and speech and language services were working out of a space the size of a large closet, according to the organization. This comes at a critical time as the program doubles its hours of services to 16 a week.

“Having the much-needed additional space — and the privacy that comes with it — will enable Spurwink’s occupational therapists and speech and language professionals to work with groups of teens in a classroom setting, or on-on-one if necessary,” associate program director of educational services Susan Magee said.

The additional space will also free space in the main building, which would allow for more family therapy work, the organization said. It considers family involvement one key to success.

Staff Writer Emma Bouthillette can be contacted at 791-6325 or at:

ebouthillette@pressherald.com