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Name: White River Academy |
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In some cases a child has not yet reached the point where they need a long term program to turn their inappropriate behaviors around. In this case White River Academy offers a 60 day or a 90 Day Wake up Call Program in which the child participates in a rigorous daily schedule consisting of emotional growth, Positive Peer Culture group sessions, self-esteem building, goal setting and goal review sessions, service projects, daily chores, life skills and independent living such as cooking and cleaning. Students may also participate in Individual Therapy at an additional cost.. Accredited Academics are not offered in the short term wake up call programs, but students are in class six days a week so as to sharpen academic skills in many of the basic courses like Math, Science, English, History and more. |
We have established an independent study curriculum that will cover courses 6 thru 12 as well as college preparation. Each student, upon admission will provide a copy of their educational transcripts that will then be reviewed by our Academic Coordinator/Principal. The Academic Coordinator will then meet individually with the student to determine the appropriate level of study courses based on the student's strengths and weaknesses. They are grouped with other students with the same needs and attend classes taught by a trained and certified Teacher. Each student will have weekly goals and incentives to reach those educational goals at their own pace depending on their willingness to focus and work hard. This has provided students with a chance to get caught up in their school work and prepare to graduate on time. |
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Students attend PPC group sessions on a daily basis. Individual Therapy is given as often as it is determined necessary to be productive and successful in the various issues the students face. In addition we have a Medical Doctor on staff to assist in administering necessary prescribed medications and oversee the health and wellbeing of each student. Individual Therapy is an additional cost. |
The central position of Positive Peer Culture is that young people can develop self-worth, significance, dignity, and responsibility only as they become committed to the positive values of assisting and caring for others. While this philosophy appears to be missing in many of today's education and treatment programs, the general concept has a rich place in history. Shakespeare observed that "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely assist another without assisting himself." Most major religions extol the virtue of service to others. An ancient Hindu proverb advises" help thy brother's boat across, and lo, thine own has reached the shore." The Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths all stress the value of extending kindness to others, even if they are strangers. An example of this is: A student hurls a book across the room, laughs, and blurts out a remark designed to disrupt the class. Before the teacher can respond, other students in the room confront the offender for being "inconsiderate" and tell him to "check" himself. The youth, having received no peer support for his actions, slumps quietly into his seat. The teacher resumes her instruction without having said one word about the behavior problem. -Positive Peer Culture by Harry H. Vorrath and Larry K. Brendtro |
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Our goal is to offer an opportunity where in the family as a whole can participate in assisting their loved one to accomplish the goals that have been established within the program. In addition, parents and siblings are provided with the necessary skills to provide a constant support for that child upon graduation from the program. This is accomplished by offering a series of seminars that focus on issues that need to be addressed in the home such as: honesty, trust, self- esteem, accountability, responsibility, anger management, communication, service, sacrifice, forgiveness, and love. These seminars are interactive and provide an environment wherein the healing process of the family can be accomplished. |
All students are grouped into "families" of students according to their common needs and issues. The Parent Liaison, group leader and assistant group leader supervise the family through out the daily structure and schedule. Within these "families" the students have group therapy sessions where they work together to help one another resolve their negative attitudes and self defeating behaviors. Thus getting advice from others who are or have been "in their shoes" and learning the benefits of serving and helping others, "selfless acts of kindness". |
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Upon admission to the Program/School, each student is stripped of all of their excess comforts and privileges. They begin the program on stage one and are required to complete four stages of morality in order to graduate from the Program. Advancement within the four stages as well as obtaining additional comforts and privileges are based on trust that is comprehensively included in all facets of the program. When a student complies with their educational study goals, cooperates with their care plan of therapy, participates in the physical activities, and generally behaves themselves, he is given privileges. When a student refuses to comply with the above mentioned requirements , they drop stages, eliminate opportunities to gain privileges, and delay graduation from the program. This Program/School is a very comprehensive establishment which has proven to be approximately 96% effective based on current studies and surveys of components within the Program. |
A Fitness and Wellness Coordinator oversees a daily calendar of sports and physical fitness activities. All students are required to participate in fitness activities to assist in improving balance, coordination, endurance, strength, and general health. In addition they have health and fitness education classes which provide them an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the importance of caring for their bodies, staying physically fit, and the correlation between physical fitness and emotional wellbeing. |
