Seen 'n Heard, 12/1998 - Short news clips about Special Schools & Programs

BRIAN CHURCH FAMILY GROW TO 5
Katelyn Nicole Church was born December 3, 1998 to Brian and Traci Church at 7 lbs., 7oz. This is their third child. Brian owns Programs that Perform, 909-898-0015, headquartered in California.

CORRECTION
The phone number for Temagami Youth Challenge Program, a wilderness program in Ontario, Canada covered in the New Perspectives section of the last issue was incorrect. The correct number is 905-632-9458.

ISLAND VIEW STAFF CHANGES
Mike Bulloch, L.C.S.W. was promoted in October, 1998 to Director of Clinical Development at Island View RTC in Syracuse, Utah, 801-773-0200. Also, Steve Lancaster, L.C.S.W. has been promoted to Assistant Clinical Director.

CORRECTION
The phone number for Life~Designs, an apprenticeship program for youth ages 18-26 in Northeastern Washington state covered in the New Perspectives section of the last issue was incorrect. The correct number is 509-445-0185.

DISABILITIES TRAVEL SPECIALISTS
Nikki Beare, President of Silver Beare Travel Inc., based in Havana, Florida, 800-376-9249, Nikkibeare@aol.com, specializes in finding and making travel arrangements for Persons with Disabilities.

NATWC CONFERENCE
Chris Newland, Director of FD Roosevelt Wilderness Camp in Georgia, 706-655-5900, and Chair of the 1999 National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps, announced the 1999 annual conference for the group will be held this June 27-30, 1999 at Unicoi State Park in Helen, Georgia.

VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL TO STAY INDEPENDENT
Phil Spiva, of Valley View School in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, 508-867-6505, announced this month that he had turned down offers from two investors interested in buying the school.

EDUCATION WEEKS SERIES ON SCHOOL CHILD SEX ABUSE
In the December 2, 1998 issue, Education Week started a three part series on child sex abuse by school employees called “A Trust Betrayed.” Searching news articles, court records and interviewing professionals throughout the country from March through August of 1998, Education Week came up with a database of “244 cases that were active in either criminal or civil courts or being handled by school district investigators.” One startling conclusion was the percentage of female staff abusers, since 20% of those charged were women.

NORTHSTAR CENTER CHANGES
NorthStar Center, in Bend, Oregon, 541- 385-8657, had been acquired by Aspen Youth Services, last September. It was announced December 4, 1998, that Dennis Crowell will remain Director of the NorthStar Center which encompasses NorthStar, Renasissance, and Academic Resource Center (ARC). Admissions to Renasissance will now be redirected to NorthStar. “Alex Weiss, who has been the Program Director at NorthStar, has accepted the position of Program Director at Renaissance.” “Jane Stewart, the Admission Director at NorthStar, has accepted the position of Program Director of NorthStar.”

NIH PANEL ON ADHD
Science News, a weekly newsmagazine, in Vol. 154, November 28, 1998, reported findings of a 13-member panel convened by the National Institutes of Health to determine what could be concluded about ADHD. The consensus statement included, “There is no consistency in treatment, diagnosis, or follow-up for children with ADHD. It’s clear that we don’t have sufficient evidence to define a diagnostic threshold for starting stimulant treatment or to develop strategies for ADHD prevention.”

TEEN HELP SURVEY
This fall, Teen Help, 435-628-0400, conducted a survey of parents who had had children at one of their facilities, with 231 parents responding. 98.7% say they are satisfied with the results achieved by the student and the family.

WEST SHIELD NOW IN NASHVILLE
Al Cardoza, President of West Shield Adolescent Services, 800-899-8585, a teen transport company with corporate offices in southern California, announced they will open an office in Nashville, Tennessee, by January 1st.

CEDU 24 MONTH CURRICULUM
Patricia K. Doyle, Ex. Dir. Of CEDU Schools, Running Springs, 909-867-2722, announced CEDU High School in Running Springs, California, will also be offering a 24 month program. ISLAND VIEW OUTCOME STUDY Island View RTC, Syracuse, Utah, 801-773-0200, recently reported the results of their Nov. 1996 through April 1998 Parent Survey Outcome Study. An important breakout of the data comparing those discharged earlier as opposed to those discharged later indicated the changed behavior remained constant without any kind of a “falloff.”