| There are many programs offered to parents of | | | | They learn which items they can keep and which |
| troubled teens. There are many things to consider | | | | have to be either sent home or placed in storage. |
| when deciding if a placement is appropriate. Online | | | | They receive their uniforms and learn a little |
| research into programs will turn up hundreds of | | | | about the basic expectations of the program. It is |
| sites offering various programs as well as | | | | here that they will have their first inkling that they |
| numerous sites opposing any kind of placement | | | | are no longer in control and the real work will |
| for teens who are acting out. The primary issues | | | | begin. |
| of concern to parents are two: will it be safe and | | | | If the child has come with transport, the entrance |
| will it be effective. | | | | to the program for the parents will be the first |
| No program should restrict communication | | | | phone call and an update on how the child is taking |
| between children and parents. An effective | | | | the initial shock of their changed situation. If the |
| program will require that the parents be involved | | | | parents bring the child to the school they child will |
| very closely in getting their children's behavior | | | | be placed with other students and the parents will |
| turned around. Parents should learn to handle | | | | say their goodbyes quickly to help avoid more |
| manipulations by using tactics up to and including | | | | trauma. |
| ending phone calls. As a parent, you have elected | | | | The parents will be introduced to the staff that |
| to place your child in an environment where their | | | | will be handling communications with their child. At |
| activities will be closely monitored and | | | | first, phone calls will be monitored by these staff |
| misbehaviors intervened and dealt with | | | | who assist in communication with the parents so |
| immediately. As a parent, you are using placement | | | | that they can get a clear picture of the dynamic |
| as a way of gaining control of the situation. At | | | | between the parent and child. The parents will be |
| home a child can argue, manipulate, either walk or | | | | coached in new communication skills and |
| sneak out, and even use violence, anger and | | | | strategies to effectively handle the verbal acting |
| intimidation to get what they want. You should be | | | | out that their children do. The children will be |
| able to count on the program staff to make sure | | | | coached in proper etiquette during calls: No name |
| that your child is isolated from the drugs, gangs, | | | | calling, cursing, demanding, or raging. |
| and bad friends that were a problem at home. | | | | The phone calls between parent and child are |
| In programs such as those at Tipton Academy | | | | essential to the success of the program. Any |
| and Meadowlark Academy when a child enters | | | | program that does not include close parent |
| the program they are placed with other students | | | | involvement will very likely be extremely |
| who help explain the program and help the | | | | ineffective. The work for the parents will be hard, |
| incoming teen sort and inventory their belongings. | | | | long, and sometimes emotionally difficult. |