Whites Residential Forms Compass Rose Academy

White's Residential & Family Services, one of Indiana's largest and oldest nonprofit social services agencies, announced the formation of the Compass Rose Academy. Located on the White's Wabash campus, but operating as a privately funded affiliate, the Compass Rose Academy includes both a therapeutic boarding school for youth in crisis suffering from problems with school, home or family and prevention services to help families remain intact.

For more than 160 years, White's has served families and children who are part of the Indiana juvenile justice system. In 2011, after recognizing the need to provide services to families and youth in crisis who have not yet entered the system, White's developed the Compass Rose Academy.

"We are committed to maintaining our mission by helping youth in crisis throughout the country and from all walks of life," said White's Residential & Family Services/Compass Rose Academy CEO Dee Gibson. "Throughout the years, many people have come to us seeking assistance for a troubled teen. Through the Compass Rose Academy, we can now expand our services and accept teens who not only have different needs and backgrounds, but who are also located outside Indiana."

The Compass Rose Academy is quickly gaining traction on a national level. Recently, Dr. John Townsend, world-renowned clinical psychologist, leadership consultant and best-selling author with more than 25 years of experience helping individuals, families, leaders and organizations grow and exceed their goals, said this of the program:

"The Compass Rose Academy is dedicated to providing a holistic and clinically professional approach to the restoration of youths and their families. I can think of no better program to help families in crisis succeed. As a leadership coach, psychologist and consultant, I believe Compass Rose provides sound guidance, builds firm character and helps to reestablish healthy family bonds. I would recommend this program to anyone looking for help to improve their family's dynamic."

The Compass Rose Academy is currently accepting applications for its first therapeutic boarding school class. Managed by licensed professionals who provide students with counseling, teaching and other experiential learning activities involving leadership and teamwork, Gibson says the nine- to 12-month program is an opportunity to provide youth in crisis with guidance, structure and a more purposeful direction.

Licensed as a residential child care facility by the Indiana Department of Child Services and accredited by the Council on Accreditation, the program is ideally suited for teenagers struggling with problems such as abuse recovery, depression, identity or body image issues, drug abuse, conflicts with peers or authority, social isolation or rejection, mild self-harm and school problems. Eight to 12 female students will start classes in August 2012.

Compass Rose will also soon offer a variety of support services to parents who are not yet ready to consider residential placement for their child. Prevention services will begin in 2013 and will include weekend conferences for parents and short-term experiential camps and activities for teens. For more information, please visit www.CompassRoseAcademy.org

Compass Rose Academy is a privately funded affiliate of White's Residential & Family Services, offering residential, emergency shelter care, foster care, independent living, adoption and home-based services. Designed to expand upon White's overall mission by preserving the well-being of youth and families through prevention services and an on-site therapeutic boarding school, Compass Rose is committed to enriching the lives of children and families through emotional healing, personal development and spiritual growth.