Spectrum Health Systems Receives 7th Consecutive CARF Accreditation
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts and beyond, has been awarded a three-year accreditation from CARF International for treating inmates with substance use disorders within prison and probation settings throughout the state of Georgia.
4 Tips to Help Combat Alcohol Triggers This Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, we’ll all be heading to more and more in-person gatherings, parties and get-togethers with friends and family – perhaps for the first time in 18 months. These events are a time of celebration and with celebrations, typically comes alcohol. Events where alcohol is present can be very challenging for those ...
Combating the Nursing Shortage in Addiction
The United States is in the midst of a critical nursing shortage – it is estimated that 1.2 million new registered nurses will be needed by 2030. Spectrum Health Systems, like many other addiction treatment providers, has experienced an increase in patients and a decrease in providers available. This shortage has been around for a ...
Q&A with Stacy Desnoyers, Program Director of Spectrum Health Systems’ Medication-Assisted Treatment Reentry Initiative
Throughout all of our programs, Spectrum Health Systems has a strong and tightknit workforce. This is especially true for our Recovery Support Navigators, who work directly with inmates as they break through the walls of drug and alcohol addiction and reclaim their lives. Program Director, Stacy Desnoyers, opens up about her career path, its challenges ...
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. Announces New Contract with the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a longtime not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment, was awarded a new contract by the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office (NSO) to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to offenders with substance use disorders. The program has treated 41 offenders with methadone since its inception.
Employee Spotlight: Meet Our Inpatient Nursing Supervisor, Kelly Field
Our nursing staff is at the heart of treatment here at Spectrum, always going above and beyond to care for clients, run programs, and respond to emergencies. In celebration of National Nurses Month, we’re highlighting Kelly Field, the Inpatient Nursing Supervisor at our Westborough, Massachusetts campus, to get a closer look at the amazing work ...
Slipping into Alcoholism: The Importance of Monitoring Your Intake During COVID-19
We’ve been talking a lot about the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic: the frustration of not being able to go out, the difficulty in trying to get certain items, and the simple boredom of being trapped inside day after day. But what we haven’t talked about is the fear and anxiety of everyday life and ...
Spectrum Health Systems Receives 7th Consecutive CARF Accreditation
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts and beyond, has been awarded a three-year accreditation from CARF International for treating inmates with substance use disorders within prison and probation settings throughout the state of Georgia.
4 Tips to Help Combat Alcohol Triggers This Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, we’ll all be heading to more and more in-person gatherings, parties and get-togethers with friends and family – perhaps for the first time in 18 months. These events are a time of celebration and with celebrations, typically comes alcohol. Events where alcohol is present can be very challenging for those ...
Combating the Nursing Shortage in Addiction
The United States is in the midst of a critical nursing shortage – it is estimated that 1.2 million new registered nurses will be needed by 2030. Spectrum Health Systems, like many other addiction treatment providers, has experienced an increase in patients and a decrease in providers available. This shortage has been around for a ...
Massachusetts Attorney General Commends Spectrum Health’s Mission
Worcester, MA – November 15, 2016 – The Commonwealth’s top lawyer, Attorney General Maura Healey, praised Spectrum Health Systems during its recent annual meeting held on Oct. 13 at The Beechwood Hotel in Worcester. Nearly 100 Spectrum leaders, employees, former clients, and local and state government officials gathered for the meeting which highlighted Spectrum’s innovative work in helping people overcome addiction, and provided an opportunity to celebrate the profound impact the nonprofit organization has had on communities not only in Massachusetts, but across the country.
Spectrum’s Peer Mentoring Program Recognized by the U.S. Attorney’s Office at the New England Reentry Conference
Worcester, MA – November 14, 2016 – On November 1st, Spectrum’s State Director of MA Correctional Services Earl Warren presented at the New England Reentry Conference, a first-of-its-kind gathering of federal reentry professionals from across the region, held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The conference was organized by the six New England United States Attorneys to highlight regional initiatives that are improving outcomes for returning citizens. Spectrum was asked to participate in a plenary discussion of federal reentry grant programs by U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Carmen Ortiz.
Spectrum’s 15th Annual Charity Golf Classic Raises Nearly $70,000 for Addiction Treatment
Worcester, MA – November 10, 2016 – Spectrum Health Systems, the largest private non-profit substance abuse and mental health treatment provider in New England, hosted its 15th Annual Charity Golf Classic on Monday, October 3 at the Framingham Country Club. Nearly 125 golfers participated in the event, raising $68,593 in support of Spectrum’s continuum of addiction treatment services.
Lisa Blanchard of Spectrum Health Systems Receives Emerging Leader Award
WORCESTER, Mass. – November 8, 2016 – Lisa Blanchard, MA, LMHC, executive director of outpatient operations for Worcester’s Spectrum Health Systems, the largest private non-profit substance abuse and mental health treatment provider in New England and resident of Paxton, Mass., was honored for her outstanding contributions in behavioral healthcare with the Association of Behavioral Healthcare’s (ABH) Elizabeth Funk Emerging Leader Award. The award recognizes members under the age of 40 who show evidence of commitment to behavioral health through his/her ability as an emerging leader within the field. Recipients of the award display the ability to motivate staff and communicate effectively in their role as a developing leader. Blanchard received her award on October 21, during the ABA’s Salute to Excellence at the Waltham Hotel, an event dedicated to recognizing leaders in community-based behavioral healthcare.
Changing Prisons in Virginia
Spectrum has joined with the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) in an important experiment with the potential of impacting prison systems throughout the country by reframing the mission and function of prisons. A powerful combination of circumstance has aligned in Virginia where Spectrum Health Systems operates a 1,080 bed Therapeutic Community treatment program at Indian ...
Prisons as a Launch Pad
At this point in history when there is a growing consensus for prison reform, we have an opportunity for making systemic change that can impact great numbers of inmates by re-envisioning prisons as “launch pads” for success. We believe this is feasible through a well-designed integration of the self-help therapeutic community (TC) model and a ...

