The Collaborative, encompassing six Local Education Agencies (LEAs), Hampshire Educational Collaborative, Commonwealth Corporation, the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (MDYS) and the Massachusetts Department of Education, responds to a great need for qualified teachers of high-need subjects throughout the districts, their affiliated alternative programs, and the MDYS system. Through the project, 500 individuals will be trained and become licensed in special education, mathematics, and science through coursework, supervised placements, and mentoring. Member LEAs are committed to hiring program graduates in high-need schools.