Adolescant Care: a Landscape of Change
through the preponderance of Internet websites and linked information to find the placement options. To be able to tour a facility and made a decision certainly beats educated guessing. The Independent Association of Educational Consultants has over three hundred members nationwide.
Six years ago, a small group of programs and schools came together to address issues related to our industry. They had concerns over how services were regulated. They noted the tendency of some to prey on families through false advertising, guarantees, or mislabeling of services. They also hoped to build a collegial atmosphere where ideas and strategies to help those in their care could be improved. The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs as grown to over one hundred and thirty programs. Without such national efforts, consumers, as well as professionals, can be at risk when placing outside of the home.
As this industry continues to evolve it will be exciting to see what other changes are in store. Advances in communication methods, as well as in the information superhighway, along with discoveries in psychopharmacology and neurobiology all will have an effect on how we help others. As one combines those with the advances in program and school development it is possible, even in the face of the struggles we see our clients face to be optimistic.
Kimball DeLaMare, LCSW, has been working with youth and their families in treatment settings since 1979. He is the proud father of three great children and the grateful husband of his wife, Lisa. His work with the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs and as one of the founders of the Island View Residential Treatment Center and of the Oakley School has brought some of his most cherished time in his professional life. He can be contacted by email at: [email protected].