Eagleton School Utilizes NAPPI International Family Training

Throughout the years one of the major points of focus at Eagleton School has been the need and concern for the safety and well being of students and staff. Difficult behaviors can erupt at any moment and must be addressed in a quick, safe, and effective manner. In accordance with this principle, Eagleton utilizes a behavioral management program created by NAPPI International (Non-Abusive Psychological and Physical Intervention).

NAPPI International, now established in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, is a training company that specializes in teaching direct-care staff and teachers how to deter contentious behavior by building a culture of cooperation with the people with whom they work and those whom they serve. NAPPI began in 1977 with a focus on safety, and since then has prospered in the mental health field. As a visionary, our founder and Executive Director, Bruce Bona, recognized the benefits of utilizing NAPPI methods to establish a common language among both staff and students in a win-win atmosphere at Eagleton School.

David Farrell was appointed President and CEO of NAPPI International in 2010. With his office located in the administration building at Eagleton, we are fortunate to be able to directly access David's expertise with regard to NAPPI. David was appointed to lead NAPPI into the future. Though he does not have a background in mental health, he was drawn to the foundations of NAPPI after a 30 year career with Fortune 500 companies. He felt that he should give back at this point in his career and was driven to help people to cope with behavioral issues. We asked David why he feels NAPPI is important:"Treating people the way you like to be treated lays a foundation for healing....it is an integral part of the healing process. Relationships improve over time and are built upon cooperation and mutual respect which further the bond of trust."

NAPPI is a vital part of daily life at Eagleton. All practicing staff at Eagleton School are trained directly by NAPPI Master Trainers. Incoming staff members undergo NAPPI training to become certified and are required to re-certify annually. NAPPI is unique in that it focuses on keeping the consumer in the "green scale" which is the balance between community, productivity and recreation in an atmosphere of trust. It utilizes a specific approach to address behaviors that include assessment, prevention, partnership, and physical management. Training sessions include instruction of early intervention, defusing techniques, communication skills and humane and safe physical management strategies that are approved by appropriate state agencies.

An outgrowth of the NAPPI skills and training that are offered to Eagleton staff is the creation of NAPPI S.M.A.R.T. Kids (Stay one step ahead, Move one step at a time, Always try to help, Refocus on positive , Take responsibility). The implementation of this program promotes an atmosphere where students learn to be introspective and are able to identify their "triggers" and utilize tools to change destructive automatic learned behaviors. As students learn to take responsibility for the behaviors, their relationships significantly progress. This program helps to support a student's transition from the campus community setting to the home environment by instilling confidence in their ability to cope.

Family therapy that includes NAPPI training principles is also made available at Eagleton School through our UniFy, Understanding Family program. For one weekend each month, six or more families gather on campus to share in games and activities, such as bowling or making a bird feeder. They participate in adventure-based sessions: horseback riding, gardening, and music. Parents are introduced to multiple family therapy via support sessions and are exposed to NAPPI skills that enhance their parenting capabilities. These skills allow parents to redirect their communication with their children from reactive to proactive.

The mother of one of our students shared her thoughts on how NAPPI Family Training through UniFy, has helped her family and her son: "NAPPI training is important to support the work that my son was doing in NAPPI S.M.A.R.T. Kids. I had to reframe how I interacted with him by looking for warning signs in a proactive way. We have learned to take what could be an anxiety-invoking situation and be able to be positive and confident. It is easy for parents with long standing issues with their children to see only a downward spiral of behavior. NAPPI techniques have given us the ability to speak a common language with our son and put a sense of respect for each other back in our lives."

Eagleton School, a residential and therapeutic program for Boys 9-22, is a private year-round residential, psycho-educational treatment facility for boys and young men with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Development Disorder, Communication and Cognitive Delays, Behavior Disorders, Emotional Disorders, and Learning Disabilities.