AUGUST 20, 2009 ISSUE
Is Your Child Having A Difficult Time In School?
Grandfather Academy Offers Alternative Schooling for Local Students
Since 1914, Grandfather Home for Children has been meeting the needs of children—from orphans in 1914 to survivors of abuse and neglect in 2009. Today, Grandfather Home is recognized as a leader in caring for children with mental health issues. Therefore it was a natural fit when the Home decided to expand its services to local students in need of alternative schooling. This fall, Grandfather Academy, a North Carolina charter public alternative school, located on Grandfather Home for Children’s Banner Elk campus, will open its doors to local students who may be struggling in a traditional school setting. Grandfather Academy will offer a Day Treatment program to those students experiencing emotional or behavioral disorders that may be affecting their schooling.
Day Treatment is a school-based program designed to help students who have been expelled or suspended from school and/or for those students who are challenged in a public school setting, often due to behavioral problems. In most cases, children who are acting out at school are experiencing internal emotional conflict and turmoil that has not been acknowledged, accepted or fully understood. The Day Treatment program at Grandfather Academy is intended to help children develop a sense of personal security that comes from feeling accepted and respected by others. Children will be taught to express their emotions in safe, healthy and appropriate manners. Mental health issues will be addressed throughout the school day and incorporated into their curriculum.
Each school day will begin with a goal-setting group meeting, which gives the staff an opportunity to check in with each child and determine the child’s emotional status. The staff and each student will identify an attainable goal for the day. At least one group therapy session per day will be provided and will include topics such as anger management, communication, problem solving and stress management. The program also includes group meetings three times per week that will cover psychological issues such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Individual therapy will be provided to each child on a weekly basis.
In addition to the standard therapeutic school day, time also will be spent off site at places within the community that may help children learn more easily, such as visiting a local place of business to practice filing an application for employment, or hands-on educational field trips for younger children.
Students in this program ultimately will be working toward a successful return to public school. With this in mind, Grandfather Academy staff will work closely with the public school on a transition plan. The average time a child can expect to be in the Day Treatment program is six to nine months. Other goals for children in Day Treatment are to help them enhance communication and problem-solving skills, anger management, social skill development and learning how to maintain appropriate roles in a community setting, all while receiving a high-quality education.
Kindergarten through 12th grade students are eligible for enrollment at Grandfather Academy beginning this fall. An amended North Carolina state curriculum will be followed by a certified teacher for the schooling. Medicaid funding will be provided for students to attend and Grandfather Academy staff may be able to assist parents in obtaining that funding. As the program grows, transportation may be available for students in Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Caldwell and Burke counties. For more information on the Day Treatment program, call Evelin Harrison at 828-898-5465 or email e.harrison@grandfatherhome.org.
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