I am merely a parent who has experienced the Pathway program with my daughter. I had active participation through individual and group clinical therapy for myself and other client parents. I saw no merit in a ?drop-off? program, because I realized that I needed changes, as did my daughter. I was committed to do whatever it took to save my daughter. That included my active participation on a daily basis. In my view, any ?drop-off? program without parent and sibling participation would leave substantial risk for the family?s complete relapse to previous behaviors when the teen completed the program and returned home. My personal experience with Pathway has been a positive one in that my family has made changes, and my daughter has her sobriety (Not cured, but taking one day at a time with an understanding of the underlying issues that led to her addiction, and tools to remain sober.) Relationships have been restored and life is great. (And no, I do not work for Pathway).
But my experience, since it had a positive outcome in my daughter?s and my opinion, is considered by regulars to this BBS as nothing more than ?the usual parent script?, and that I?m just another ?brainwashee? zombie that?s destined for severe repercussions from my daughter at some point in the future. Frankly, I?ll take that chance any day over the dismal prospects on life my daughter had prior to Pathway. In the meantime, I am thoroughly enjoying my family?s restored unity. The prior alternative was crisis at every turn, primarily attributed to my daughter?s destructive choices and her substance abuse.
My experience is all the ?proof? I need. My objective is to prove nothing to anyone on this BBS. Nor is it to denounce your past experiences at Straight. Rather, my experience was such a contrast to what has been accused on this BBS that I chose to relate my experience. While I know many others who have also had similar experiences as mine, I presume they simply choose to not waste their time communicating on this BBS with people bent on making negative accusations against a non-Straight program regardless of facts to the contrary. I am confident that no words can ?prove? to anyone that Pathway has a caring program, with an objective to help restore families (parents and children) broken by substance abuse, without violence and physical abuse as is so accused. The only ?proof? for others is to see the program first hand. Additionally, Pathway is accredited by the Council On Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, not-for-profit, child- and family-service and behavioral healthcare accrediting organization. Research shows that Pathway has no association with, connection to, or support of Straight or any other abusive programs.
?COA promotes standards, champions quality services for children, youth, and families; and advocates for the value of accreditation. In 2001, COA accredited or was in the process of accrediting more than 1,400 private and public organizations that serve more that 6 million individuals and families in the United States and Canada.
COA accreditation is a process of evaluating an organization against best-practice standards. COA develops standards by using a consensus model with input from service providers, funders, policymakers and consumers across the United States and Canada. The standards represent up-to-date research findings, regulations, and practice experience that together serve to define quality organizational practice. COA's standards are comprised of organizational and management standards and service standards, including the full array of child and family services, behavioral healthcare services, financial management/debt counseling services, employee assistance program standards, and many service areas for which no other accreditor has standards.
An essential and invaluable component of the COA accreditation process is Team Leaders and Peer Reviewers. COA works with over 900 volunteer Team Leaders and Peer Reviewers who visit organizations and assess their performance with our standards. These individuals are experienced professionals in the behavioral healthcare and human services fields who selflessly volunteer their time and expertise to COA.
The COA community is deeply committed to promoting standards, championing quality and advocating for accreditation - our vulnerable children, individuals, seniors, and families deserve nothing less. With the support of 10 Sponsoring Organizations, 14 Supporting Organizations, a highly skilled and dedicated board of trustees and staff, and an invaluable group of volunteers, COA pursues its mission with vigor. ?
- Council on Accreditation