The Baker Center for Children and Families in Boston promotes strong mental health outcomes for children and families by integrating research, clinical intervention, training, and policy. With more than a century of history, the organization emphasizes evidence-based practice, family partnership, and approaches tailored to each child’s lived experience. Their programs include outpatient services, the Manville School, specialty programs, and national training initiatives.
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Guests:
- Dr. Robert Franks – President & CEO
- Dr. Sarah Tannenbaum – Senior Director of Outpatient Clinical Services
- Dr. John Kershaw – Senior Director, Manville School (K–11, expanding to 12)
Key Points:
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The Baker Center has over 100 years of history and was one of the earliest children’s mental health service providers in the U.S.
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Their model blends research, clinical practice, training, and policy work to improve mental health outcomes for children and families.
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Outpatient services rely on comprehensive diagnostic assessments that consider cultural identity, values, challenges, and strengths.
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The Manville School uses academic, clinical, behavioral, and family-based assessments to understand and support each student.
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A “modular” evidence-based treatment model (MATCH) allows individualized interventions built from proven skill-based components.
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The Center emphasizes collaboration with families, treating them as experts on their own experiences.
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Training programs prepare clinicians, teachers, and future professionals from undergraduate through postdoctoral levels.
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Their work spans practice, systems, and policy levels to create sustainable improvements in children’s mental health access and outcomes.
Other Points on The Baker Center For Children and Families:
The Baker Center’s clinicians and educators emphasize partnership over hierarchy, treating families as knowledge-holders and collaborators rather than passive clients. This cultural approach helps empower children and parents while building long-term resiliency.
The organization aims to “graduate” children and families by giving them skills to manage challenges independently rather than creating long-term dependence on services. This approach also guides the Manville School, whose goal is to stabilize students and return them to their local schools when possible.
Their training programs span undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and post-master’s levels, ensuring a strong workforce capable of meeting children’s mental health needs. Trainees rotate through outpatient services, the Manville School, and Camp Baker to gain comprehensive experience.
On the policy front, the Baker Center works with legislators, states, counties, and systems of care to transform practice, strengthen mental health systems, and expand access to evidence-based support for children across the country.
