Heritage School
Provo, Utah

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Heritage School Joins ISPA

Heritage School joined the national organization ISPA, the Independent Small Program Alliance, in February.

Marketing and Admissions Director, Ian Petersen, said this alliance is a group of small programs like Heritage that are not corporate owned.

"There are 16 small programs that are a part of it," Petersen said. "Andy Anderson runs it and tours the programs. He only works with what he regards as high quality programs."

Anderson, president of ISPA, said he has known of Heritage for many years from his earlier association as the executive director of NATSAP - the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. He said it's the biggest association of therapeutic schools.

"NATSAP is a 150-member group and I ran it for three years," he said. "Heritage was a member of it and I've always been impressed with them. They impressed me with their clinical skills, educational program and leadership. I look for leaders - they have Jerry (Spanos) and they have a really strong management team."

Petersen said the alliance is where good quality programs can come together to make themselves known, to pool ideas and resources.

The groups will interact informally by sharing ideas. Anderson said the groups meet several times a year but two-to-four hour phone meetings also take place in order to conduct business.

Petersen said Heritage was represented and included at the most recent conference dinner held on Feb. 3, 2015 in Nashville.

All groups are listed on the ISPA website with abbreviated summaries and hot links to the programs' websites, according to Anderson. Updating the website is a continuous process since small groups are added from time to time.

ISPA, owned by Andy Anderson Consulting, has been around for 12 years and includes therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment centers, transitional and other types of programs. Petersen said the other programs mostly serve different populations by age or issues.

While Heritage recently celebrated it's 30th anniversary, joining ISPA is a step that will encourage growth and notoriety.

"It lends credibility to us to be a part of this group," Petersen said. "We are a strong program joining other strong programs."

Founded in 1984, Heritage School specializes in the treatment of mood disorders and students diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Founder Jerry Spanos pioneered the relationship model Heritage School uses with students. Our direct-care residential staff, who average 10 years of experience at Heritage School, develop relationships of trust with students, guiding them to healthy, productive lifestyles. Our teachers, all special education certified, help students catch up on school credits and prepare for their continued education. For more information visit our website at www.heritagertc.org or call 855-999-3096.

Heritage School is a non-profit residential treatment center in Provo, Utah, that specializes in treatment of mood disorders and students diagnosed on the autism spectrum.