The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) has learned from being blind-sided by Congressman
Miller in 2007. They are now becoming increasingly effective by aggressively presenting their perspective to Congress and the public.
As an example of a NATSAP activity, I just returned from a trip to Washington DC in mid-June where I participated with NATSAP
in presenting a positive perspective to the staff of several Senators regarding the Miller legislation. The Miller legislation passed the
US House of Representatives earlier this year and has been received by the US Senate for consideration.
In anticipation of possible Senate action sometime this year or next year, we talked with key staff of about a dozen Senators. The
representative of a Washington DC law firm was very efficient in setting our appointments and escorting us around the Senate Office
Buildings. The staff politely listened, with some already quite aware of some of the schools in this network. For others, this was the
first they had heard of this type of school and program.
With a similar exercise next month in Washington DC, NATSAP is aggressively making sure the Senators are aware of the need
for this network in serving the needs of parents and their children with problems and the dangers of draconian regulation.
Uh, this needs to be countered several times over, starting right now.
+1
start writing letters give your bios
let them know whats really going and dont let the lobbyists win
there trying to save there cash cow like every lobby group in DC
Let your reps see the faces of the people that have been abused
let them know there are 100s of children and young adults being held in "programs" "for there own good"
Organize group trips to DC and help others that might not be able to affored getting there TO GET THERE
Let them know these places do not work and may make thinks worse for some
Programs must be held to the same standards as any other mental health clinic or hospital
proper licensing is a must; Staff background checks are a must; Staff must be head to the same standards as any staff in places such as schools and hospitals
these place must not let former addicts and felons be in places of power over clients