Open Sky Community Services

by | Jun 22, 2025 | Agencies

Agency Overview

Open Sky Community Services is a nonprofit agency based in Central Massachusetts offering behavioral health, housing, disability, and community reentry programs. It operates multiple sites, with administrative offices in Worcester and Whitinsville.

Main Office

4 Mann Street
Worcester MA, 01602

Website

https://www.openskycs.org/ 

Whitinsville Office

50 Douglas Road
Whitinsville, MA 01588

Phone Number

(508) 755‑0333

Open Sky Community Services

4 Mann Street
Worcester, MA 01602

Open Sky Community Services Whitinsville

50 Douglas Road
Whitinsville, MA 01588

Agency Services

The agency provides behavioral health care, developmental disability support, housing stabilization, reentry assistance, and youth programs. Services are integrated across clinical, residential, and community settings.

  • Outpatient therapy, psychiatry, and peer support
  • Mobile crisis and community stabilization
  • Residential and day services for people with I/DD and ABI
  • Supported housing, shared living, and transitional programs
  • Community reentry support for justice-involved individuals
  • LGBTQIA+ youth support groups and leadership programs

Service Area

Open Sky primarily serves Central Massachusetts through community-based, residential, and outpatient services offered in Worcester County and surrounding towns.

  • Worcester
  • Whitinsville
  • Southbridge
  • Framingham
  • Northborough and surrounding communities

Target Population

Open Sky serves adults, youth, and families with complex behavioral, developmental, and environmental challenges, including mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), substance use disorders, and criminal justice involvement. The agency also provides targeted programming for LGBTQIA+ youth.

 

Advertising / Community Visibility

Open Sky has a strong community presence through its arts initiatives, training programs, and partnerships. Events and public art exhibits help increase visibility and reduce stigma around mental health and disability.

  • Hosts ValleyCAST events and inclusive art programs
  • Collaborates with local media and business associations
  • Active on social media platforms and community calendars

 

Funding Sources

Open Sky receives funding from state contracts, MassHealth, Medicaid, federal and local grants, and private donors. It is also supported by the United Way of Central Massachusetts.

  • Contracts from DDS, DMH, DCF
  • MassHealth and Medicaid billing
  • Federal and private grants
  • Community foundation and donor contributions

Agency Affiliations / Links

The agency is part of the Central Community Health Partnership and collaborates with ACOs, state agencies, and local nonprofits to deliver wraparound services.

  • MassHealth ACO/CP partnerships
  • Regular collaboration with DMH, DCF, and DDS
  • Service coordination with schools, shelters, and local clinics

 

Agency Accessibility Info

The Worcester office is accessible by public transit, and both main sites offer free on-site parking. Transportation access varies by program location.

Open Sky Community Services is CARF-accredited and adheres to ADA standards across its facilities and programs. In addition to offering trauma-informed residential care for individuals with developmental, physical, and cognitive disabilities, Open Sky implements practical accessibility features such as wheelchair access, adaptive transportation, and communication accommodations to support clients with diverse needs.

The agency is linguistically responsive, with multilingual staff and access to interpreter services, particularly due to its role in the MassHealth Central Community Health Partnership.

Most Significant / Surprising Fact

Despite the agency’s large scale and scope of services, a 2024 audit from the Department of Developmental Services identified inconsistent tracking of staff training records. This suggests that even high-performing agencies remain accountable to evolving regulatory expectations and benefit from ongoing systems improvement

Career Opportunities

Training Required for Staff Positions

Training includes trauma-informed care, de-escalation, medication administration, human rights policies, and restraint prevention. Most direct support roles require at least a high school diploma or equivalent, with additional certifications for clinical staff.

Experience Required for Hiring of Staff

Entry-level roles may require only minimal experience working with vulnerable populations, but clinical roles and supervisory positions typically require licensure and at least two years of field experience.

Training Requirements / Opportunities for Staff

Open Sky offers in-house training through The Bridge Training Institute, covering topics such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), evidence-based practices, LGBTQ+ competencies, and supervision skills. Staff also have access to Providers’ Council leadership training and continuing education units.

References