I have found after a bit of research that MA although not the ultimate has one of the stringest licensing processes in the Country - they also follow up on student and parent complaints (IN MA THERE ARE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS) a major red flag is a program that is not licensed, Desisto was not although now closed (because they chose to pack up and go start a program in Florida where their is much less supervision and requirments) I often ask the Academy at Swift River why they don't license, they feel they don't have to, but to deny having to answer to any standards or oversight when administering medication, therapies, and special education is irresponsible to say the least. Their is no consistency across the Country at all I hope this changes - programs will continue to run and I feel strongly that we need to make sure if they are running and parents are placing - then they must meet standards and we should do whatever we can to assure the highest quality of health, welfare, safety, and service delivery.
Andrea
pfrr
