New England Salem Children’s Trust (NESCT) endeavors to provide a happy, loving home children who must live away from their natural families. Salem will provide compassionate services for the child and his family. These services will build on each family’s strengths in order to assist them in meeting the life challenges they face. Salem is non-violent, whole foods oriented, and utilizes a family model of child rearing. The children are taught to respect the earth and its creatures and to love, work, and play in harmony with nature and mankind. Salem means peace! NESCT can offer the structure of a residential program in a family setting in two of its houses. NESCT has opened a third home specifically geared towards its residents acquiring the necessary skills for Independent Living. Every aspect of daily living is used as a teachable moment.

NESCT is certified to care for 12 males and is licensed as an intermediate residential care provider serving residents’ ages 6 to 19. NESCT typically serves boys who have histories of emotional difficulties and severe abuse and/or neglect. Typical diagnoses include: post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, reactive attachment disorder, and attention deficit disorder.

The Hunter School, a (K-8) special education school, shares the NESCT campus. The Hunter School is a private non-profit school that provides education for children with ADHD and other associated diagnoses such as ODD, depression, or anxiety. If appropriate, children at Salem can attend the Hunter School while others attend public schools.