TOTS Program

Beacon’s TOTS (Therapeutic Outpatient Toddler Services) Program is for children with special needs, those that are overlooked by traditional services or cannot benefit from them due to their traumatic histories or emotional challenges. They need to have unconditional support, friendship, trust, routine, and healthy relationships as part of their daily lives to grow.

For the children in Beacon's early childhood programs, success is measured by far more than the achievement of a developmental milestone. The children in our TOTS program, a sub-specialty of the Intensive Outpatient Program, may be too traumatized to expect anything good at all, not a cookie, not a kind word. That first smile on the apprehensive face of a toddler is the staffs' greatest gift. This is the signal that they have something to work with, to replicate, and to build on until the child arrives with a smile every day, and jumps off their bus ready to learn and to play.

Through caring relationships in Beacon’s nurturing and therapeutic environment, the children learn to attach to others and trust that their needs will be met. Simultaneously, parents learn how to modify their own behaviors, work to change the behaviors of their children, and become effective advocates for themselves in personal relationships, as well as in relationships within their communities.

On one of her frequent visits to Beacon's Longwood Campus, Alderman Ginger Rugai gives Andre a warm welcome to the playground and the encouragement he thrives on. "I have been involved with Beacon for thirty years. The community of Beverly knows them to be good neighbors as they go about their work of doing incredible things for the neediest of children. The struggles are heart-wrenching. Beacon's staff champions these children and provides the resources and linkages they need."

"I love the kids," says Carrie Bergen, a therapist and former intern from the Loyola University Graduate School of Social Work. "We work hard to find what works for each child. When Ricky came here last year he was aggressive, mute, and anti-social. Now, he talks, he loves to play, and he shares. He is no longer aggressive."