Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Aspen Education Group => Topic started by: Deborah on February 23, 2007, 12:55:50 PM
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Academy at Swift River is operating as a Private School:
Mohawk Trail Regional School Dist
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Grant approval for the Private School Application submitted by The Academy at Swift River ? After a presentation by Matthew Hart, Academic Coordinator for The Academy, and on a motion by Marguerite Willis, seconded by Michael Chrisman, the committee voted to approve the Private School Application for The Academy at Swift River.
http://www.mtrsd.k12.ma.us/site/supt/mi ... 101205.htm (http://www.mtrsd.k12.ma.us/site/supt/minutes/Mohamin101205.htm)
Yet, provides group and individual therapy to children who may exhibit defiance and opposition to authority, angry outbursts, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, indications of depression, lying, stealing, and other maladaptive behaviors and traits. Histories may include adoption, divorce, death and other loss issues, or various types of abuse.
Additionally: experimented with drugs and/or alcohol, been sexually promiscuous, are acting out at home and in the classroom, and have shown decreasing respect for themselves and others.
Academically: not reaching their full potential in the classroom, and are often discouraged by learning differences that have never been successfully addressed.
Why has Massachusetts Dept of Early Education and Care allowed this for 10 years when clearly, ASR is an RTC?
102 CMR 3.00: STANDARDS FOR THE LICENSURE OR APPROVAL OF RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS SERVING CHILDREN AND TEEN PARENTS
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/residential_regs.pdf (http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/residential_regs.pdf)
DEFINITIONS
Group Care Program . A program or facility that provides care and custody for one or more children by anyone other than a relative by blood, marriage or adoption on a regular 24-hour a day, residential basis. Group care program includes but is not limited to programs serving teen parents under the age of 16 years; transition to independent living programs; private residential schools that provide special services to children with special needs in which children with special needs constitute 30% or more of the school?s population; and group residences or group homes....
Residential Program. A group care, temporary shelter, or transition to independent living program, or a transitional housing program serving teen parents.
Special Services. Any special services provided to children with special needs by a private residential school that are special education services similar to those referred to at 603 CMR 18.05(3)(a) and (b); or social, psychological or psychiatric services; or occupational or physical therapy; or speech or language therapy; or vocational rehabilitation skills; or regular nursing or medical careprovided on site; or self-help skills or activities of daily living training.
Child with special needs. A child who, because of a disability consisting of a developmental delay or an intellectual, sensory, neurological, emotional, communication, physical, specific learning or health impairment or combination thereof, is or would be unable to progress effectively in a regular school program. This may include, but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00.
Massachusetts Department of Education
603 CMR 18.00: Program and Safety Standards for Approved Public or Private Day and Residential Special Education School Programs
LAWS & REGS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS
http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr ... section=01 (http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr18.html?section=01)
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Private residential schools not serving special needs children are not considered residential care in Massachusetts.
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/RP%20Li ... ements.pdf (http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/RP%20Licensing%20Requirements.pdf)
I think what we need to define is special needs children, which is seems you have found, deborah.
I know in the cases of the kids and parents, I talked to, these kids were not classified as special needs by the state they lived in nor in massachusetts.
It seems they may better fall under:
"Private residential school not serving special needs children", which means they would be licensed under other laws, if any.
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Private residential schools not serving special needs children are not considered residential care in Massachusetts.
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/RP%20Li ... ements.pdf (http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/RP%20Licensing%20Requirements.pdf)
I think what we need to define is special needs children, which is seems you have found, deborah.
I know in the cases of the kids and parents, I talked to, these kids were not classified as special needs by the state they lived in nor in massachusetts.
It seems they may better fall under:
"Private residential school not serving special needs children", which means they would be licensed under other laws, if any.
What are you, fucking high or something? If these kids have NO SPECIAL NEEDS why the fuck are they there in the first place?
All these kids are carrying diagnoses (labels) given to them to justify their placement at this facility. THIS MEANS "SPECIAL NEEDS," dumbass.
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Who, I don't believe that that the licensing requirements are based on the child being a special needs kid but rather the types of services being provided.
If the program is providing special needs services they should be licensed as such, not as a boarding school which is a private residential school not serving special needs kids.
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Private residential schools not serving special needs children are not considered residential care in Massachusetts.
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/RP%20Li ... ements.pdf (http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/RP%20Licensing%20Requirements.pdf)
I think what we need to define is special needs children, which is seems you have found, deborah.
I know in the cases of the kids and parents, I talked to, these kids were not classified as special needs by the state they lived in nor in massachusetts.
It seems they may better fall under:
"Private residential school not serving special needs children", which means they would be licensed under other laws, if any.
This is one of the most obtuse remarks you've ever made, Scooter.
How are you going to sit there and say that these kids have no special needs, but couldn't make it at home, are "at risk" and requiring structure and therapy?
This is precisely why everyone discounts what you say, Scooter. On one hand you argue that they have special needs so they need to be sent to a "TBS" and then when you find out the "TBS" needs to be licensed to serve these special needs kids you say "They're not special needs." What's wrong with you?
If these kids have no special needs, why aren't they at home???
This is an admission that the kids don't need to be there, Scooter. Bring 'em home then!
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Whoa calm down, DJ, we are not searching for my definition of special needs but how the state perceives it or defines it.
What we were talking about is it appears the licensing in Massachusetts (for our case) hinges on whether or not the kids are classified as special needs by the state. If they are, then they are bound by the ?Department of Early Education and care? (The Commonwealth of Massachusetts) and would need a Residential license and fall under the category of ?Private residential schools serving Children with special needs?.
http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/RP%20Li ... ements.pdf (http://www.eec.state.ma.us/docs/RP%20Licensing%20Requirements.pdf)
If they are not serving kids with special needs then they are not bound by this licensure.
So Deborah found a definition which is as follows:
Child with special needs. A child who, because of a disability consisting of a developmental delay or an intellectual, sensory, neurological, emotional, communication, physical, specific learning or health impairment or combination thereof, is or would be unable to progress effectively in a regular school program. This may include, but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00.
If the state of Massachusetts considers the kids at ASR within this category and categorizes them as ?Special needs? then they are bound by Licensure.
This isn?t my call, DJ, or yours?we are discussing what these kids fall under. My child was not categorized as special needs by the state she was in and the parents I spoke to who had children at ASR were not receiving services in their home state either. Although this is a small piece of info I am not concluding that ASR fall into either category because I don?t know. There are probably provisions which allow a small percentage of ?Non? special needs kids to attend and still fall under the restraints of ??Private residential schools serving Children with special needs?.
So what I am saying is do these kids fall under the definition Deborah defined above? It appears there is an evaluation which will determine this (M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00.
) is anyone familiar with this test? I don?t know if the kids are evaluated to this standard prior to entering, I don?t believe my daughter was, but she was tested while she was at ?SUWS?
Who, I don't believe that that the licensing requirements are based on the child being a special needs kid but rather the types of services being provided.
If the program is providing special needs services they should be licensed as such, not as a boarding school which is a private residential school not serving special needs kids.
Hanzomon4, That is a good point, does anyone know this to be the case.
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Remove the superfluous text and it should be clear:
A Group Care Program is a program or facility that provides care and custody for one or more children by anyone other than a relative by blood, marriage or adoption on a regular 24-hour a day, residential basis.
Group care program includes private residential schools that provide special services to children with special needs in which children with special needs constitute 30% or more of the school?s population.
Special Services are any services provided to children with special needs by a private residential school that are special education services similar to those referred to at 603 CMR 18.05(3)(a) and (b); or social, psychological or psychiatric services; or self-help skills or activities of daily living training.
A Child with special needs is a child who, because of a disability consisting of a developmental delay or an emotional, communication, specific learning impairment or combination thereof, is or would be unable to progress effectively in a regular school program. This may include, but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00.
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Child with special needs. A child who, because of a disability consisting of a developmental delay or an intellectual, sensory, neurological, emotional, communication, physical, specific learning or health impairment or combination thereof, is or would be unable to progress effectively in a regular school program.
Obviously, Whooter, if you sent your kid for "emotional growth" as you've stated many times before, your kid is emotionally disabled.
Common sense dictates that non-special needs kids do not need to go to a special "school" for therapy and "emotional growth."
Also, the regs state very clearly that a facility must be licensed as a Group Care Program if they house only one child. Or, if it is a private school which houses a population consisting of 30% or more special needs kids, it must also license as a Group Care Program.
Group Care Program . A program or facility that provides care and custody for one or more children by anyone other than a relative by blood, marriage or adoption on a regular 24-hour a day, residential basis. Group care program includes but is not limited to programs serving teen parents under the age of 16 years; transition to independent living programs; private residential schools that provide special services to children with special needs in which children with special needs constitute 30% or more of the school?s population; and group residences or group homes...
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A Child with special needs is a child who, because of a disability consisting of a developmental delay or an emotional, communication, specific learning impairment or combination thereof, is or would be unable to progress effectively in a regular school program. This may include, but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00.
Good, I still have a question bear with me....are the children at ASR considered "Special needs" as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00?
Does anyone know the answer?
If they are then they fall into the category needing licensure if not they fall into another category. This is the key that determines special needs for the state of Massachusetts
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What are the specific services rendered to children classified as special needs children?
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A Child with special needs is a child who, because of a disability consisting of a developmental delay or an emotional, communication, specific learning impairment or combination thereof, is or would be unable to progress effectively in a regular school program. This may include, but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00.
Good, I still have a question bear with me....are the children at ASR considered "Special needs" as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00? Does anyone know the answer?
Moot point.
A Child with special needs is a child who, because of a
developmental delay or an
emotional, communication, specific learning impairment
is or would be unable to progress effectively in a regular school program.
This may include, but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00
Does that help?
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What are the specific services rendered to children classified as special needs children?
That depends on the school/facility and the needs of the individual children.
The Special Needs rendered at ASR are:
social, psychological or psychiatric services; or self-help skills or activities of daily living training.
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A Child with special needs is a child who, because of a disability consisting of a developmental delay or an emotional, communication, specific learning impairment or combination thereof, is or would be unable to progress effectively in a regular school program. This may include, but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00.
Good, I still have a question bear with me....are the children at ASR considered "Special needs" as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00? Does anyone know the answer?
Moot point.
A Child with special needs is a child who, because of a
developmental delay or an
emotional, communication, specific learning impairment
is or would be unable to progress effectively in a regular school program.
This may include, but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00
Does that help?
It helps the normals here, but not TheWho. He's too dumb to understand this.
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This may include, but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00
So its pretty much wide open, its not limited to those who qualify thru the evaluation testing or as defined by the DOE. So any kids can be considered special needs?that?s interesting.
I know for early intervention (pre-school kids) they rely on the ?Michigan test? as a bench mark (or a doctors recommendation.
) to determine eligibility for services or to be considered for special education.
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If you still can't comprehend what it's saying... call EEC.
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i dont get why it is all this complex. You'd think that if it offers compulsory regular "therapy" and is locked down it is some kind of treatment centre. If not it is a school.
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i dont get why it is all this complex. You'd think that if it offers compulsory regular "therapy" and is locked down it is some kind of treatment centre. If not it is a school.
Well, they offer therapy from outside therapists, but it is not a lockdown facility.
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i dont get why it is all this complex. You'd think that if it offers compulsory regular "therapy" and is locked down it is some kind of treatment centre. If not it is a school.
Well, they offer therapy from outside therapists, but it is not a lockdown facility.
WHAT? You have been here for days saying they get therapy from staff! Are you now saying kids get NO THERAPY from ASR staff? If so, I guarantee their files say otherwise. This is the typical response of programs - to parents, they say they give therapy, to the state, no therapy. Who are you misleading? The state? The parents?
As Oz Girl said, it's really simple. They have MANDATORY GROUP THERAPY 3x per week, issue "consequences," have a level system, mandatory marathon "workshops," and provide DRUG TREATMENT. ASR is no school and everyone knows this. When the state steps in, you'll see the scrambling to destroy records, fire unlicensed staff, answers to inquiries only from attorneys and the rest of the behaviors linked to covering illegal activites. This is very common and goes on every tie one of these phony schools gets investigated. Even the who is going right along with the script - pushing the therapy aspect, downplaying academics and then flip-flopping, downplaying therapy and claiming "academics only" which is an obvious lie. So, if they don't provide therapy, who, why do they post right on their website that they DO? The who would have you trust him and not your own eyes - look at the website "GROUP THERAPY" 3x a week and "special group therapy" once a week. Now that they've been exposed, the who has changed his tune, flip-flopped John McCain. Who's a tired old bloated hack just like Mr. McCain, talking out of both sides of his mouth.
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If you still can't comprehend what it's saying... call EEC.
it's hard to force someone to learn the truth when they make a living but NOT LEARNING IT. the who is program pusher. takes referral fees. he's not going to read anything that goes against the lies he's spreading.
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From ASR's website:
Academically, our students are not reaching their full potential in the classroom, and are often discouraged by learning differences that have never been successfully addressed.
i.e Special Needs students.
After treatment in an Aspen residential program, both parents and teens indicated the teens? emotional problems had been reduced to a normal range.
Providing treatment.
What Parents And Their Teens Told Researchers: Upon admission, teens were experiencing various psychological and social challenges including:
Disruptive behavior disorders
Substance abuse
Mood disorders
Learning disorders
Eating disorders
Personality disorders
Anxiety
Trauma
i.e. Special Needs and psychologically disturbed patients.
One member of the faculty and two consultants offer support for Special Learning Needs, and attention is paid to records and background at the time of a student's enrollment.
i.e. Special Needs. BTW, where's the certified Special Ed teacher?
Our Team Model:
Clinical Director
Students assigned a Masters level counselor who heads a team.
Individual Therapy 1x/week
Group Counseling 3x/week
Team Groups, Themed Groups (Mood Management, Adoption, Loss, Eating Disorders, Relapse Prevention
i.e. Therapy and Drug Treatment.
The emotional growth and counseling program at Academy at Swift River boarding school for boys and girls focuses on trust and honesty, especially in terms of the individual child's personal story. Peer group development continues and the intensive cognitive and emotional aspects of the therapeutic program begin.
i.e. Therapy and Group Therapy.
Sure as hell doesn't fit the requirements of a "school." Clearly a residential treatment center.
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i dont get why it is all this complex. You'd think that if it offers compulsory regular "therapy" and is locked down it is some kind of treatment centre. If not it is a school.
Well, they offer therapy from outside therapists, but it is not a lockdown facility.
Sorry folks didnt mean to rile everyone up --
Well, they offer "Individual" therapy from outside therapists, but it is not a lockdown facility.
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I agree DJ, but you or I can define it anyway we want. I think the key is to have the "State of Massachusetts" define the kids at ASR as "special needs" kids, Then there is no question. They will need to be licensed. But I believe if the kids are not defined/recognized by the state as "Special needs" kids then they donot.
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I agree DJ, but you or I can define it anyway we want. I think the key is to have the "State of Massachusetts" define the kids at ASR as "special needs" kids, Then there is no question. They will need to be licensed. But I believe if the kids are not defined/recognized by the state as "Special needs" kids then they donot.
they are obviously special needs. they even say it on their website, "special needs." just read their website or the quotes from it above. it's very clear that they do rehab, mandatory counseling - both group and individual, again, it's directly from their website - transitional services, and have a level system with workshops. this is no school. they're going to have to license properly. it's just a matter of bringing the true nature - what they advertise on their own website - to the proper authorities. that is being done.
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I appreciate the translation but what I was looking for is where ASR indicated they take on ?Special needs? kids. I hate to be a stickler on this but we have a neighbor who has a child with ?Special needs? and this has a definition which is well defined and the children receive services from the state if they are classified as such (anyone who is familiar with Early Intervention will know what I mean). To say we cater to ?special learning requirements? or the kids are special or they all have independent needs which are tailored to them may not mean they are ?Special needs? kids. If I say my child has ?Special needs? doesn?t necessarily mean the state recognizes the child as a ?Special needs? student that requires services.
Deborah extracted a definition which applies:
?This may include,but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00?
And this appears to leave the requirements open to interpretation (because it is not limited to the evaluation, but who interprets it? The state or the school? I am not sure and am curious if anyone knows.
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Cindy wrote
Sorry folks didnt mean to rile everyone up --
Well, they offer "Individual" therapy from outside therapists, but it is not a lockdown facility.
This is not exactly true, parents do have the option of arranging for private licensed therapy or the kids can request it. However each child still receives individual therapy from their peer group counselor. The majority of which are of course unlicensed and practicing illegal therapy.
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EEC knows. Call them, Who. And stop wasting band-width blathering about "lockdown" (which wasn't even mentioned in the criteria- "residential" doesn't = "lockdown") and "special needs", which is secondary to "Services Provided". The later is what the state will consider in determining if licensure is necessary.
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Cindy why would a traditional school have mandatory therapy 4-5x's a week?
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EEC knows. Call them, Who. And stop wasting band-width blathering about "lockdown" (which wasn't even mentioned in the criteria- "residential" doesn't = "lockdown") and "special needs", which is secondary to "Services Provided". The later is what the state will consider in determining if licensure is necessary.
Testy !! So the state determines, thank you!!
Oz Girl brought up "Lockdown", I didnt, I was just responding to her post.
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Cindy the state has already established its criteria, ASR openly acknowledges what kind of students it serves and what services are provided. All that has to happen now is to let the state know what ASR is really doing. Once that happens ASR will have some serious questions to answer and will be forced to become licensed.
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In all of the following, whenever I say something about ASR, it is all just my personal opinion.
As any parent who's spend the countless hours, days, weeks, accumulating the knowledge to navigate the system and then navigating the system for disability advocacy for their own child knows:
"Special Needs" refers to any child who qualifies for services under federal disabilities law in order for that child to receive a FAPE (Free, appropriate, public education). Again, this is all federal--this part (basic qualification standards under one or both of these two statutes) doesn't vary from state to state.
Most specifically, it means any child who qualifies for a 504 plan or an IEP plan.
For a 504 plan, you can qualify based on OHI (other health impaired) or EBD (emotionally or behaviorally disordered).
Some of the kids at ASR might be dual diagnosis and qualify for special ed under more than one category.
Virtually every child ASR claims to service, if the child actually has the problems the parents and ASR say he has, would qualify for a 504 plan in the EBD category.
Julie
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"Special Needs" refers to any child who qualifies for services under federal disabilities law in order for that child to receive a FAPE (Free, appropriate, public education). Again, this is all federal--this part (basic qualification standards under one or both of these two statutes) doesn't vary from state to state.
Some of the kids at ASR might be dual diagnosis and qualify for special ed under more than one category.
Julie
Yes, that is accurate, based on what I've read, but isn't relevant to the licensing issue. It would be if we were discussing Mass residents who are attending ASR, whose parents want the school district to pay via FAPE.
From EEC:
Group Care Programs must be licensed.
What is a Group Care Program?
A Group Care Program is a program or facility that provides care and custody for one or more children by anyone other than a relative by blood, marriage or adoption on a regular 24-hour a day, residential basis.
ASR does.
Group care program may [/b]include, but not be limited to, a school age child with special needs as determined by an evaluation conducted pursuant to M.G.L. c. 71B, § 3, and as defined by the Department of Education in 603 CMR 28.00
And MGL C 71b addresses FAPE, IEP for Mass residients.
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From ASR's website:
Academically, our students are not reaching their full potential in the classroom, and are often discouraged by learning differences that have never been successfully addressed.
i.e Special Needs students.
After treatment in an Aspen residential program, both parents and teens indicated the teens? emotional problems had been reduced to a normal range.
Providing treatment.
What Parents And Their Teens Told Researchers: Upon admission, teens were experiencing various psychological and social challenges including:
Disruptive behavior disorders
Substance abuse
Mood disorders
Learning disorders
Eating disorders
Personality disorders
Anxiety
Trauma
i.e. Special Needs and psychologically disturbed patients.
One member of the faculty and two consultants offer support for Special Learning Needs, and attention is paid to records and background at the time of a student's enrollment.
i.e. Special Needs. BTW, where's the certified Special Ed teacher?
Our Team Model:
Clinical Director
Students assigned a Masters level counselor who heads a team.
Individual Therapy 1x/week
Group Counseling 3x/week
Team Groups, Themed Groups (Mood Management, Adoption, Loss, Eating Disorders, Relapse Prevention
i.e. Therapy and Drug Treatment.
The emotional growth and counseling program at Academy at Swift River boarding school for boys and girls focuses on trust and honesty, especially in terms of the individual child's personal story. Peer group development continues and the intensive cognitive and emotional aspects of the therapeutic program begin.
i.e. Therapy and Group Therapy.
Sure as hell doesn't fit the requirements of a "school." Clearly a residential treatment center.
This about sums it up.
I think this spells it out very clearly in ASR's own words, quoted directly from the website. Special needs.
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In all of the following, whenever I say something about ASR, it is all just my personal opinion.
As any parent who's spend the countless hours, days, weeks, accumulating the knowledge to navigate the system and then navigating the system for disability advocacy for their own child knows:
"Special Needs" refers to any child who qualifies for services under federal disabilities law in order for that child to receive a FAPE (Free, appropriate, public education). Again, this is all federal--this part (basic qualification standards under one or both of these two statutes) doesn't vary from state to state.
Most specifically, it means any child who qualifies for a 504 plan or an IEP plan.
For a 504 plan, you can qualify based on OHI (other health impaired) or EBD (emotionally or behaviorally disordered).
Some of the kids at ASR might be dual diagnosis and qualify for special ed under more than one category.
Virtually every child ASR claims to service, if the child actually has the problems the parents and ASR say he has, would qualify for a 504 plan in the EBD category.
Julie
Thanks Julie, Thats the answer to my question. So it seems the key is how the term "Special needs" is defined by the State and how the kids at ASR are categorized by them. If the state feels they are "Special needs" students (or at least 30% of them) then ASR will be required to be licensed by order of the EEC as a "Group Care Program"
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Yeah, they're a RTC. They need to license.
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Who, ASR mainly provides special needs services. It doesn't matter whether or not the kids fit the special needs moniker according to a dx because the services given define their designation.
It doesn't make one bit of sense for any facility to offer special services to people who don't need them. Thats like a hospital claiming to be a hotel because the residents aren't sick yet still providing all of the services of a hospital, it's madness..........
If you want to draw blood, operate, or perform any service provided by a hospital you have to follow the rules and regulations that govern a hospital
If you want to have mandatory group therapy, psychotherapy, or any other special service you gotta get the license that govern such services.........
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Who, ASR mainly provides special needs services. It doesn't matter whether or not the kids fit the special needs moniker according to a dx because the services given define their designation.
It doesn't make one bit of sense for any facility to offer special services to people who don't need them. Thats like a hospital claiming to be a hotel because the residents aren't sick yet still providing all of the services of a hospital, it's madness..........
If you want to draw blood, operate, or perform any service provided by a hospital you have to follow the rules and regulations that govern a hospital
If you want to have mandatory group therapy, psychotherapy, or any other special service you gotta get the license that govern such services.........
so what you are saying is it doesnt matter if the kids are tested and found to be "Special needs " students or not. The school is defined and categorized by the services they offer (i.e therapy, physical or mental, speech, .etc.) I see what you are saying. I was thinking the other way where the Type of kids attending would be the definitive factor....interesting point.
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If the kids were a deciding factor many of them probably wouldn't be there(ASR) to begin with.
But either way (special needs or not) something about this doesn't make sense.
- If the kids do have special needs why does ASR's licensing claim not to cater to those needs?
- If the kids are not special needs why are they being given special needs services?
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If the kids were a deciding factor many of them probably wouldn't be there(ASR) to begin with.
But either way (special needs or not) something about this doesn't make sense.
- If the kids do have special needs why does ASR's licensing claim not to cater to those needs?
- If the kids are not special needs why are they being given special needs services?
Well, that is why I asked the questions about the definition of ?Special Needs?. I don?t think the kids that are attending ASR qualify as ?Special needs? under the testing requirements laid down by the state and qualify for services etc. (I know there are other factors besides the test, dont shoot me). These kids (the ones I got to know) didn?t have IEP?s growing up. So I think if they examined and tested each child they would find they didn?t fall into this category. So they may fall outside the definition but are receiving the services anyway? so how does this define the school?
So it will be interesting to see how this plays out and how the law is defined.
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Someone please quote this so I know my posts are visible.
Debating "special needs" with Who is a moot issue. First and foremost ASR meets the definition of a "Group Care Program". Therefore, they should be licensed.
From EEC:
Group Care Programs must be licensed.
What is a Group Care Program?
A Group Care Program is a program or facility that provides care and custody for one or more children by anyone other than a relative by blood, marriage or adoption on a regular 24-hour a day, residential basis.
While it is not a determining factor in the need for licensure, we could discuss the issue of "special needs" in terms of, whether or not:
*ASR receives IEP money
*parents file insurance claims for any portion of tuition
*parents write off expenses for traveling to visit their "disabled" child
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Who, ASR mainly provides special needs services. It doesn't matter whether or not the kids fit the special needs moniker according to a dx because the services given define their designation.
It doesn't make one bit of sense for any facility to offer special services to people who don't need them. Thats like a hospital claiming to be a hotel because the residents aren't sick yet still providing all of the services of a hospital, it's madness..........
If you want to draw blood, operate, or perform any service provided by a hospital you have to follow the rules and regulations that govern a hospital
If you want to have mandatory group therapy, psychotherapy, or any other special service you gotta get the license that govern such services.........
:idea: :exclaim:
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The thing I dont get after looking over the regs is why ASR would be so opposed to them. They're a great deal less restrictive then GA's. From what I know of ASR it doesnt even appear theyd be losing all that much.
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Indeed Mass regs are antiquated. They need to get current and ammend them so they're closer to Utah's.
http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r501/r501.htm (http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r501/r501.htm)
Now, as with Utah, whether or not Mass would properly enforce them is another matter. But at least they'd be there to enforce.
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"Working here is a dream come true".- Common comment by staff at Aspen Achievment Academy.
This enthusiasm is common to Special Purpose Schools and Programs, and very understandable for several reasons. First: Paperwork, red tape, and regulations are kept to a minimum. This is a refreshing change for those staff who came from hospitals and treatment centers where the need to meet regulations sometimes overshadows the needs of the residents.
http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives ... sit01.html (http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/1992/4/visit01.html)
They had already had a kid on suicide watch jump off a cliff and a 14 year old girl sodomized by a female "counselor".
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"Working here is a dream come true".- Common comment by staff at Aspen Achievment Academy.
This enthusiasm is common to Special Purpose Schools and Programs, and very understandable for several reasons. First: Paperwork, red tape, and regulations are kept to a minimum. This is a refreshing change for those staff who came from hospitals and treatment centers where the need to meet regulations sometimes overshadows the needs of the residents.
http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives ... sit01.html (http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/1992/4/visit01.html)
They had already had a kid on suicide watch jump off a cliff and a 14 year old girl sodomized by a female "counselor".
I think it should be noted, this was 20 years ago......
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"Working here is a dream come true".- Common comment by staff at Aspen Achievment Academy.
This enthusiasm is common to Special Purpose Schools and Programs, and very understandable for several reasons. First: Paperwork, red tape, and regulations are kept to a minimum. This is a refreshing change for those staff who came from hospitals and treatment centers where the need to meet regulations sometimes overshadows the needs of the residents.
http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives ... sit01.html (http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/1992/4/visit01.html)
They had already had a kid on suicide watch jump off a cliff and a 14 year old girl sodomized by a female "counselor".
I think it should be noted, this was 20 years ago......
Well, your math is a little funny. It was 15 years ago.
And Aspaen is still just as unregulated as it ever was. Why do you think that after 15 years Aspen has made no movement toward "getting with the program"?
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Why do you think that after 15 years Aspen has made no movement toward "getting with the program"?
Hubris.
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And Aspen is still just as unregulated as it ever was. Why do you think that after 15 years Aspen has made no movement toward "getting with the program"?
I think we have been over this and concluded that no company is ever going to seek regulation on themselves, doesn?t make any sense. Its like calling DSS and asking them to come over to your house twice a month to see if you are doing a good job raising your kids, why would someone do that?
Secondly, the fact that they are not regulated is a strong indication that there have been very few complaints against them over the past 20 years, the kids have benefited and parents have been happy with the outcomes, otherwise regulation would have been forced upon them years ago.
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Suuuure, Who. Whatever you say. Everyone knows that it takes extreme effort to force regulation on a facility and that most people are either financially unable or too embarrassed to do the extremely hard and thankless work it entails.
This place is as abusive as they come. It's history is well documented.
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And Aspen is still just as unregulated as it ever was. Why do you think that after 15 years Aspen has made no movement toward "getting with the program"?
I think we have been over this and concluded that no company is ever going to seek regulation on themselves, doesn?t make any sense. Its like calling DSS and asking them to come over to your house twice a month to see if you are doing a good job raising your kids, why would someone do that?
A program should do it because they are caring for a hundred or more kids who are not 'related' to them and subjecting them to god knows what, restricting communication with parents and the outside world. That's two reasons of many.
It's more like an abuse complaint is file against a parent, the parent claims to have no children, and the state takes the parents word for it without investigating.
Secondly, the fact that they are not regulated is a strong indication that there have been very few complaints against them over the past 20 years
Indicates no such thing. They will remain unlicensed until DHS is properly educated on the services provided and pressured, if necessary, to force licensure. Licensure/regulation is not determined by the number of complaints filed against a program. It's based on the state knowing what services the program is providing.
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A program should do it because they are caring for a hundred or more kids who are not 'related' to them and subjecting them to god knows what, restricting communication with parents and the outside world. That's two reasons of many.
It's more like an abuse complaint is file against a parent, the parent claims to have no children, and the state takes the parents word for it without investigating.
Sorry, I just disagree. If I read all the requirements and felt I was doing the best job possible and that regulation may, in fact, reduce the services and quality given to the kids and parents I would opt not to seek regulation. I think what a company needs to do is weigh the pros and cons to their customer and do what is right by them.
Communication is restricted in varying degrees in all educational settings (Private and public), wilderness and Therapeutic Boarding schools are no exception.
Indicates no such thing. They will remain unlicensed until DHS is properly educated on the services provided and pressured, if necessary, to force licensure. Licensure/regulation is not determined by the number of complaints filed against a program. It's based on the state knowing what services the program is providing.
It may or may not be, but if the parents didn?t receive the services they paid for and their kids were abused, you can bet there would be lawsuits left and right and the schools would have closed 20 years ago. Around here if a child is denied the use of the bathroom in school during testing or a teacher makes an inappropriate comment to a student, people are fired and lawsuits are filed within days.
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A program should do it because they are caring for a hundred or more kids who are not 'related' to them and subjecting them to god knows what, restricting communication with parents and the outside world. That's two reasons of many.
It's more like an abuse complaint is file against a parent, the parent claims to have no children, and the state takes the parents word for it without investigating.
Sorry, I just disagree. If I read all the requirements and felt I was doing the best job possible and that regulation may, in fact, reduce the services and quality given to the kids and parents I would opt not to seek regulation. I think what a company needs to do is weigh the pros and cons to their customer and do what is right by them.
Communication is restricted in varying degrees in all educational settings (Private and public), wilderness and Therapeutic Boarding schools are no exception.
This is absurd. In what public or private school are the kids forbidden to speak to family for months on end? Name one.
Indicates no such thing. They will remain unlicensed until DHS is properly educated on the services provided and pressured, if necessary, to force licensure. Licensure/regulation is not determined by the number of complaints filed against a program. It's based on the state knowing what services the program is providing.
It may or may not be, but if the parents didn?t receive the services they paid for and their kids were abused, you can bet there would be lawsuits left and right and the schools would have closed 20 years ago. Around here if a child is denied the use of the bathroom in school during testing or a teacher makes an inappropriate comment to a student, people are fired and lawsuits are filed within days.
Uh, sounds good on paper, but when there's no mechanism to report abuse, the kid is shit out of luck. Also, the parents are manipulated so heavily by the program that if there kid complains to them, they are not believed. Often kids will not risk angering their parent or the program out of fear that they will be kept longer.
Your excuses just don't cut the mustard, Who.
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Sorry, I just disagree. If I read all the requirements and felt I was doing the best job possible and that regulation may, in fact, reduce the services and quality given to the kids and parents I would opt not to seek regulation. I think what a company needs to do is weigh the pros and cons to their customer and do what is right by them.
So, programs should weigh the pros and cons of being licensed and choose for themselves, even though this would be a violation of law if the state they operate in requires residential facilities to be licensed? Lie to the state regarding 'services provided', claim to be a traditional boarding school? In fact that's what most have and are doing. Until they get caught. Clearly a double-standard to profess to treat law-breaking kids while you are intentionally violating the law.
I've read many regs and can't think of one rule that would jeopardize the therapeutic value of or "reduce the services" of any 'evidence-based' program. Can you cite one? Specifically, not some vague response, designed to set off a trolling extravaganza.
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So, programs should weigh the pros and cons of being licensed and choose for themselves
If it is the law then it should be done, if not they should do what is best for their customers.
I've read many regs and can't think of one rule that would jeopardize the therapeutic value of or "reduce the services" of any 'evidence-based' program. Can you cite one? Specifically, not some vague response, designed to set off a trolling extravaganza.
Not real familiar with the regulations, but from what I have read I don?t see how they would limit the effectiveness of the schools either. I don?t see regulation as a bad thing.
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If it is the law then it should be done, if not they should do what is best for their customers.
Who are the customers the parents or the kids?
Not real familiar with the regulations, but from what I have read I don?t see how they would limit the effectiveness of the schools either. I don?t see regulation as a bad thing.
My how youve changed your tune.
Why should they embrace regulations and oversight? Why would anyone, it?s a ton of paperwork, costs money.
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And Aspen is still just as unregulated as it ever was. Why do you think that after 15 years Aspen has made no movement toward "getting with the program"?
I think we have been over this and concluded that no company is ever going to seek regulation on themselves, doesn?t make any sense. Its like calling DSS and asking them to come over to your house twice a month to see if you are doing a good job raising your kids, why would someone do that?
Secondly, the fact that they are not regulated is a strong indication that there have been very few complaints against them over the past 20 years, the kids have benefited and parents have been happy with the outcomes, otherwise regulation would have been forced upon them years ago.
they are not a company. They are ostensibly providing medical services to sick children. Hospitals and doctors are under strict regulation. This is acceptable to all (drs dont lobby poliicos demanding that they be able to declare themselves drs without med school) and necesary becasue they recognize they are dealing in human life not widgets - a fact you are insenstitve to. In calling ASW a compnay you unintentionally reveal what you really are all about
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And Aspen is still just as unregulated as it ever was. Why do you think that after 15 years Aspen has made no movement toward "getting with the program"?
I think we have been over this and concluded that no company is ever going to seek regulation on themselves, doesn?t make any sense. Its like calling DSS and asking them to come over to your house twice a month to see if you are doing a good job raising your kids, why would someone do that?
Secondly, the fact that they are not regulated is a strong indication that there have been very few complaints against them over the past 20 years, the kids have benefited and parents have been happy with the outcomes, otherwise regulation would have been forced upon them years ago.
they are not a company. They are ostensibly providing medical services to sick children. Hospitals and doctors are under strict regulation. This is acceptable to all (drs dont lobby poliicos demanding that they be able to declare themselves drs without med school) and necesary becasue they recognize they are dealing in human life not widgets - a fact you are insenstitve to. In calling ASW a compnay you unintentionally reveal what you really are all about
I may be mistaken but I believe they are in business to make a profit and are a company. They may not all be, not sure which schools you are refering to, but I believe the Aspen group is a company.
Does anyone have the answer to this? I am just speculating here.
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A company that claims to put the safety and well being of children first, yet avoids regulation and oversight like the plauge.
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Looks like ASR was never really confused on the whole licensure matter. They knew from the beginning what they were supposed to be licensed as but, like most TBS's fought against it.
http://cafety.org/index2.php?option=com ... f=1&id=279 (http://cafety.org/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=279)
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Looks like ASR was never really confused on the whole licensure matter. They knew from the beginning what they were supposed to be licensed as but, like most TBS's fought against it.
http://cafety.org/index2.php?option=com ... f=1&id=279 (http://cafety.org/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=279)
Typical..... you failed to mention that it is a newspaper article from 9 or 10 years ago ..... and but your right "ASR was never really confused and still isnt" but it seems you are, Bob.
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Still making excuses Cindy? Typical is right. What difference does it make how long ago the article was written. The fact of the matter is that ASR knew what it was doing when it tried to get around licensure.
They like HLA and like so many other TBS's will lie to the state, violate kids rights, break laws, and do anything they can to avoid oversight and regulation.
And you defend them?