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Students who do best at Castle often have much potential, but their emotional problems have made it impossible for them to exercise it. A broad spectrum of difficulties-anxiety, depression, self-destructive impulses, school failure, learning disabilities, struggles with peers or authority figures, family conflict-have led them to us.
By design we serve no more than 12 in our residential program. We are willing to consider students over 18 on a case-by-case basis.
Our students:
- Are boys and girls, from 13 to 18 years old
- May be referred through their local school departments (via Chapter 766), DMH, DSS, and/or private insurance or private pay.
- Are able to handle a secondary-level academic program, although tailored to their special emotional and learning needs.
- Have a reasonable level of self-control in their ability to handle an non-secure environment in a neighborhood setting.
- Do not have a history of fire-setting or a pattern of physically assaultive behavior requiring on-going physical management.
- Are not actively psychotic.
- Are willing to take medication that is prescribed for them.
The school also may need to make a decision on admission based on how a particular youngster's behavior might influence the currently enrolled group, in order to preserve the overall therapeutic environment and the safety of all.
The Process
We welcome informal inquiries and visits to the program from parents or other involved parties. The "official" application process, however, begins only when a funding source is established.
FIRST: We need referral information that includes a history of the problem and all relevant information, particularly school, hospital or placement reports and any testing that has been done.
SECOND: If it seems like the student would be appropriate for Castle, we schedule a formal pre-placement interview and visit with the parents and student. During this time, we thoroughly explain the program, answer questions, and tour the facility. The student, with another student as sponsor, spends several hours that day visiting the program and attending classes to get a sense of what it is like.
THIRD: A decision about placement is usually made within a day or two, and if the student is accepted, the parents are asked to come in for a pre-intake meeting. In that meeting we address any potential concerns and manage a big piece of the gathering of necessary insurance and medical information needed.
FOURTH: Right after that meeting, a date is set for placement and intake, which is attended by both the student and parent(s). At that time both the student and parent sign a contract for participation.
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© 2006
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