Transitioning Graduates into Successful Alumni

"We were so excited about the progress our daughter was making with her treatment, but we were worried about how she would do outside of the program," commented one of the parents at the Academy at Sisters, a therapeutic boarding school for troubled girls located in Bend, Oregon.

Long before students graduate, the transition to the next phase in their lives needs to be carefully planned so they continue in a positive direction. According to the psychologist for the program, Dr. Julie Schneider, these transitional steps can be helpful in achieving longer-term successful outcomes.

"We prefer to transition girls gradually from a very structured environment to a more 'real world' environment to allow them time to practice what they've learned with gradually increasing, age-appropriate independence. Ideally, when they are ready to graduate from the program, they are living the life of a 'regular' teenager here at the Academy and are able to do things such as attend public school, participate in school and community activities, spend time with their friends and even date. They are therefore maintaining healthy lifestyle habits fairly independently, and the transition out of the program is not as drastic a change."

Specifically, the Academy at Sisters offers the following transitional steps:

Public High School Support: During the final phase of the therapeutic program, students may attend a local high school while living at the Academy at Sisters. This allows them the opportunity to practice the skills they've learned in a more realistic setting. Treatment Coordinators work closely with the girls to help them select friends that are supportive of healthy choices.

Continued Community Service: The students have an opportunity in the final phase to volunteer at an organization of their choice. Throughout the program, each student has participated in many community service opportunities. This exposure allows them to develop empathy and gain a perspective on the causes they wish to support in their community so they may choose where they spend their time. Our hope is that they continue this habit upon returning home or the next phase of their life.

Transitional Service Plan: When a student is graduating the program, the Treatment Coordinator works with the entire family to create a plan for a smooth transition back into the family. This includes structured phone calls with the Treatment Coordinator, the student and her family once the student has transitioned. This format is a continuation of the process followed during the student's time at Academy at Sisters; therefore, it reinforces what they have learned and creates cohesiveness during an otherwise stressful time. (Any fees for this are defined in the Transitional Service Plan prior to transition and Discharge Summary.)

Alumni Activities: Extending well beyond graduation, all girls can stay connected to staff and fellow students via the Annual Academy at Sisters Alumni Reunion Weekend and Facebook.

Pathways: After graduating from the therapeutic program, girls who are 18 and older can live in a special housing unit that is located on campus and includes support. Girls are monitored and follow rules such as no male visitors. The girls may complete high school, take college courses or find local work.

Stephanie Alvstad, the Executive Director at the Academy at Sisters, added, "We love to have the girls come back for the Alumni Weekend. We also get a great sense of what they are doing by interacting with them through Facebook. It's amazing and rewarding to see all the many different paths they take."

Academy At Sisters is a therapeutic boarding school for troubled adolescent girls ages 13 -18.