Based on my experience:
They not only have little to no contact with parents, but also siblings, grandparents and other extended family. My mother didn't have contact with my son for two years, except for two very brief visits- one a funeral, which took an act of congress to get him home for. Nor did my daughter, an excellent young adult role model.
You are viewing promotional material. It appears reasonable, doesn't it? Parents go into this beieving they will see their children every four months- not bad huh? Why else would they abdicate contact/ control for two years?? These programs play desperate parents like a fiddle.
Can't quote the stats, but I would bet money that the majority don't get their 8 month home visit.
While 'seasonal breaks' are listed, the teen can loose visits home due to behavioral issues OR for having academic incompletes. If the kid is not 'with the program' come 7-7.5 months, you can be assured that they will be put on restriciton and held during the break.
"Due to the eligibility requirements for seasonal breaks, we normally have a substantial percentage of our students remaining on campus during these breaks."
"To be eligible for seasonal breaks, students must meet the following criteria: *Students must have completed Earth Element to be eligible for Winter Break. * Students must have completed Water Element to be eligilble for all other seasonal breaks, including Thanksgiving Break."
In other words... depends on when their peer group forms as to whether or not they will get the upcoming seasonal break. To really get a sense of when one would be eligible, you really need to know about those 'Elements'.
Depending on how long it take for the PG to form (18 kids- 3,4 months) the end of Earth would occur between 4-8 months. The end of Water could be 8 to 12 months. Get the picture?
You can fairly reasonably assume that your kid is going to be presented by the facility to be far more 'troubled' than you had imagined, once they are enrolled. If they have tried pot, they will be harrassed until they admit they are an addict. If they have had sex, they are promicuous. You will be informed of all the 'deep, dark, secrets' they have gotten your kid to 'divulge'. And I think it's safe to say, that the majority will be presented to parents as defiant, in denial, and not working their program- hence the need to stay on campus and focus on their 'personal growth'.
I would also like to see an honest survey of how many kids actually leave campus for those fun events in Atlanta, or Dahlonega for that matter. And how many are 'fun' and how many are actually 'community service'- uh, that's 'punishment'. If those pro games and other events actually do happen, only the kids who are performing 'perfectly' will be attending. My guess, that's a very small percentage- if any at all. You can put any event you want on the calendar. How many actually happen? No 'problem' kid is going to get off the premises. Period.
If you're considering any program, you should request a copy of the Parent Manual and diligently study the fine print. Might even have an attorney or advocate review it.
Every business in the world is going to embellish their promotional materials and slant the information to their audience. Surely you know this. Just as when buying a car or home, you're a fool if you don't analyze the fine print, and ask questions if you don't understand.
