Q: How long will my child be at Aspen Ranch adolescent residential treatment program?
A: It depends, however we do have a 9 month minimum stay requirement. A number of factors are at stake that will determine the length of stay at our therapeutic residential treatment school for adolescents. Of all such factors, the most salient ones include the following:
- The relative complexity of the psycho-social and educational history of the child prior to admission. Typically, the more complex, the longer the stay.
- The onset of problems and difficulties. In other words, did the problems start one year or ten years age? Typically, the older and more entrenched the problem is, the longer the stay.
- The follow-up and aftercare plan. A child that will go to a boarding school with a variety of support services following graduation from Aspen Ranch may likely have a shorter stay than a child who will return home, enroll in a public school, and continue with individual and/or family therapy. In other words, the complexity and relative support afforded the Aspen Ranch graduate has an impact on the length of stay.
Q: To what extent should I discuss the expected graduation date with my child?
A: If your child is pressing you to make an "under the table" deal with him/her, your discussing of a graduation date will inevitably have a detrimental effect on the treatment process. In such a case, the child is once again demonstrating avoidance behavior, thus focusing on termination rather than on change. Your best response is to support the child by conveying the message that "the length of stay depends on you." The graduation date is determined by the multi-disciplinary team, in consultation with you, through the channels of the primary therapist.
Q: My child said that if I would give him/her a graduation date to work toward, that he/she would really go to work and make all the desired changes. What should I do?
A: Tell the child that the graduation date depends on him/her. The goal must be changing certain behaviors, not graduating on a particular date. The relapse rate for students who have been given a discharge date well in advance of true behavioral change is significantly higher than those residents whose graduation date is not discussed until there is some evidence of permanency of changed behavior.
ACADEMICS
Q: How does my child receive credit?
A: The State of Utah has stated that 140 hours is equal to one credit. For instance, in a public school, if a student is enrolled in US History (for example), he/she will spend approximately 140 hours to complete that credit. Aspen Ranch is an open enrollment, open exit school. We do not divide the school year into quarters, semesters, or years, but the core curriculum and objectives for each class are divided into the 140 hours. For instance, if the US History book has 14 chapters, each chapter is worth 10 hours. When the book is completed, the student receives the credit. In this way the students are able to receive credits as quickly as they can do the work required and pass the assignments. This gives students that are behind in school a perfect opportunity to "catch up" if they are motivated to do so.
Q: What is the average classroom size?
A: Classes generally range from 6 to 12 students per class.
Q: How can I find out how my child is doing in school?
A: Each month a progress report is posted on the Parent Check-in Website. Also, every month the student's academic advisor will send a written report, email, or will give a report over the telephone on the student. If there are additional questions, parents are encouraged to call the school.
Q: I have a chance to participate in a parent-teacher conference?
A: Four times a year the Ranch has Parent Week for all parents. At this time the parents are encouraged to visit the Ranch and will have assigned times for a Parent/Teacher conference with all of the students teachers.
MEDICAL CARE
Q: What kind of medical care will my child receive at Aspen Ranch?
Physical Exam
Upon entry to the residential treatment program for struggling adolescents, each student receives a health and physical exam by a local physician or physician's assistant. In the event that a student is being transferred in (from another facility), the Ranch's medical department will make attempts to receive a copy of a recent physical instead. They will also request any pertinent medical reports from their staff.
Dental and Medical Care
Off-campus doctor/specialist visits will be billed to the student's insurance, provided that the parents send the Ranch a copy of the card and pertinent information. The medical team will make every attempt to have the doctor's offices bill the insurance; however, if unable, it may be necessary to take funds out of the student's account. The nurse will contact the parents for permission prior to making any appointments. A medical clinic is located within 15 minutes of the Ranch, and our medical director is available by phone contact 24 hours a day. Orthodontic care is available locally. Occasionally, students will need specialty visits and are transported approximately 45 minutes from the facility. Escort fees are applicable when students leave the campus for appointments.
Psychiatric Care
Upon enrollment to the Ranch, the nurse practioner conducts a psychiatric evaluation of all students. Subsequent to the initial psychiatric assessment, parents can choose to have the nurse practioner provide ongoing psychiatric care or they can elect to have the Aspen Ranch psychiatrist, Dr. McElroy, provide follow up care. Students in Dr. McElroy's care are seen once a month for ongoing medication evaluations. Students followed by the nurse practitioner can be seen on a weekly basis if needed. The treatment team reserves the right to refer students with more complex psychotropic medication regimens to Dr. McElroy for ongoing care.
Fees for the initial psychiatric evaluation are included in the student's tuition. All other psychiatric care is billed directly to parents. Payment for this service must be made prior to the follow-up appointment and can be paid by credit card.
Prescriptions
The medical department asks that parents send in a 30-day supply of medications when students enter the facility. It is helpful to the nurse if the following is listed by the physician of the student:
- Name of drug
- Dosage amount (i.e., 200mg or 2 tsp.)
- Times of administration you prefer (especially if different than label)
How the prescription can be refilled: 1) The Ranch can have the previous pharmacist transfer the prescription over to one closer to the Ranch; 2) Parents can mail in future refills; 3) Parents may want Ranch physicians to write new prescriptions if they are evaluating their needs. In any case, the Ranch medical department will be in contact.
