Chapel Haven Adds SCC Lessons - (December 17, 2009) Chapel Haven, New Haven, CT, 203-397-1714, announced the use of Social Communicative Competency lessons to their current programming at REACH (Residential Education at Chapel Haven). SCC is the ability to send and receive messages, to understand social contexts and to employ strategies to keep communications from breaking down. To learn more contact Chapel Haven.

Vive Launches Customer Care Center - (December 17, 2009) Vive, Inc., Boulder, CO, 866-645-1781, announced they have launched a new Customer Care Center to help families experiencing chaos in their lives. Managed by Jeni Breezley, Vive's Operations Coordinator, the center provides a connection with each caller, educates them on Vive's parenting products and therapeutic services, and describes the heart-center, relationship-based philosophy of Vive. Representatives also provide callers with valuable information and professional guidance. The Vive Customer Care Center line, 866-645-1781, is free to call and open during business hours from 8 am to 5 pm MST. For additional information on this new service contact Vive or visit their website.

Saving Teens in Crisis Collaborative Adds Board Members - (December 17, 2009) Saving Teens in Crisis Collaborative, Sudbury, MA, is pleased to welcome Jim Dredge, Paul Lavallee, Les Mann, and Rich McKinless to our Board of Directors. Jim Dredge is the former President and Chief Operating Officer of Aspen Education Group, Paul Lavallee is a former software industry entrepreneur and a volunteer Board member of Webster Place Recovery Center, Riverz Edge Arts Project for at risk teens, and the Roger Williams University Gabelli School of Business. Les Mann is a sales and marketing executive and served on the Board of the Alldredge Family Foundation and Rich McKinless, CPA, is a partner at the international accounting firm KPMG LLP, in addition to serving as Board Chairman of the Alldredge Family Foundation.

Spokane Mountain Opens - (December 21, 2009) Beth Ragland, Spokane Mountain, Elk, WA, 256-682-8690, announced the opening of Spokane Mountain, a new addiction program for 18-28-year-old males. The program is a minimum seven-month stay and works with all types of addictions. Spokane Mountain was created by L. Jay Mitchell and Dennis Thompson, who also created the SUWS Adolescent Program in the early 1980's. For more information on this new program, contact Beth Ragland.

Bridges Academy Happenings - (December 21, 2009) Joan McOmber, MFT, Executive Director at Bridges Academy, Bend, OR, 888-283-7362, announced Charity Leese, a graduate from the Willamette University Master's program, has joined Bridges as their new Science and Math teacher. In addition, Jeff Wenger, who has taught Social Studies, Government and History at Bridges for the past six years, has began his popular Outdoor Adventure class again. Jeff's class is part of our experiential education program and builds on the natural connection our teens have with fly fishing, snow exploration (snow shoeing, snowboarding, and avalanche preparedness), rock climbing and further exploration and photography of the wonderful natural environment of Central Oregon.

Dr. Hammond Joins Alpine Academy - (December 22, 2009) Janet Mulitalo, Program Director at Alpine Academy, Erda, UT, 800-244-1113, announced Dr. Clark Hammond has joined the Clinical team at Alpine Academy. Clark has served on the faculty in various capacities at the University of South Dakota, Brigham Young University, and Oregon State University, and has worked with individuals, couples, families, and businesses though his private therapy and consulting practice.

Bromley Brook Issues Statement - (December 22, 2009) David G. Hans, PsyD, Executive Director at Bromley Brook School, Manchester Center, VT, 866-537-2702, issued a statement: A male staff member of Bromley Brook School has been charged with inappropriate relations with two female students." Bromley Brook School takes an allegation of this nature very seriously and has zero tolerance for the alleged behaviors". The staff member in question had a clean background check and we can confirm that he is no longer employed by the school.

Social Networking Not Affecting Academics - (December 23, 2009) University of New Hampshire research concluded "students who heavily engage in social networking do just as well academically as students who are less interested in keeping in touch with the medium."

Fish Retires from Meridell - (December 28, 2009) Janet Fish, Community Liaison for Meridell Achievement Center, Liberty Hill, TX, announced she will be retiring as of January 1, 2010 and Wendy Hercliff, LCSW, will be the customer service representative for education consultants and private programs for Meridell. Janet wishes to share that the times shared, friendships made and successes which she has enjoyed have been an extraordinary part of her life and they have been times she will never forget. Wendy Hercliff can be reached on her cell phone at 512-517-2019.

Bradley Joins Silverado Academy - (December 28, 2009) Denise Westman, Director of Development at Silverado Academy, Panguitch, UT, 435-676-8482, announced Staci Bradley has joined the team at Silverado Academy in the Admissions department. Staci has worked with adolescents and their families for the past thirteen years. She may be reached at 801-910-9329.

News from Montana Academy - (December 29, 2009) Carol and John Santa, Founders of Montana Academy, Kalispell, MT, 406-755-3149, announced Dr. David Long has just completed his first block as a science teacher at Montana Academy. Dr. Long holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology and was a Post-doctoral Fellow in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Colorado. Prior to joining Montana Academy, Dr. Long was a research professor at Montana State University. He has published extensively in scientific journals and has articles and photographs published in reputable magazines and newspapers such as: the New York Times, the National Geographic Adventure Magazine, Big Sky Journal, and Montana Magazine.

Parent/Caregiver-Initiated Treatment for Minors - (December 30, 2009) Erik B. Callison, President of the Board of Directors and Spokesperson for Washington Dads, 360-959-9155, announced the Washington Division of Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy hosted a free symposium regarding the age of consent for Mental Health Treatment for Minors in Washington State, held in Seattle, WA in January. For more information about the symposium or Washington Dads please contact Eric Callison.

3Ventures in Peace Plans for 2010 - (December 31, 2009) Steven and Elissa Rookey, Founders of Ventures in Peace, Lolo, MT, 406-273-4273, announced some new plans for their program in 2010.They plan to set-up Equine Therapy Programs - Part 1 of trainings to begin in June, periodic Wilderness First Responder Courses to be added to our curriculum for interested students, the addition of a wall tent or yurt at the top of our mountain will be available for solo retreats after the winter is over and a increase of tuition for all new students from $4,000 a month to $4,500 a month.

Three Springs Acquired - (December 31, 2009) Aida Porras, VP Marketing for Three Springs, 256-880-3339 x222 shared Sequel Youth and Family Services, announced the acquisition of Three Springs, Inc, located in Huntsville, AL. This acquisition will extend the company's geographic footprint with the combined companies operating 22 programs across the country. Paint Rock Valley, located in Trenton, AL and Auldern Academy, in Siler City, NC will add private educational and therapeutic programming to Sequel's continuum of service. Leadership in these programs will remain unchanged. For more information on this acquisition contact Aida Porras.

Williams-Anesi Leaves Coral Reef Academy - (January 2, 2010) Yolanda Williams-Anesi, Parent Liaison for Coral Reef Academy in Samoa, has left the school in January and wishes everyone to know how much she has loved the opportunity of working at Coral Reef for the last two years. Yolanda's duties will be handled by Sally Grevel-Lameko, the Education Director for the time being.

Meridell Achievement Center Welcomes Wendy Hercliff - (January 3, 2010) Wendy Hercliff, LCSW, RPT has joined the team at Meridell Achievement Center, Liberty Hill, TX, as the Community Liaison. Prior to working at Meridell, Wendy spent the last eight years at Seton Shoal Creek, Austin's acute psychiatric hospital, as a social worker there; and, later, as the social work supervisor, then for two years at Meridell as a PRN therapist. You can contact Wendy at 800-366-8656.

Newport Academy Opens Male RTC - (January 4, 2010) Jamison Monroe, Jr., Founder, Newport Academy, Orange County, CA, 949-887-0242, announced Newport Academy has opened a gender specific, residential treatment program for adolescent boys who struggle with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders in Orange County, CA. This boys program is an addition to their already operating, residential, girls program and is led by addiction treatment icon Dr. David Smith, past President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and Past Medical Director, California State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.

Columbus Girls Academy Presents Stay Sharp - (January 6, 2010) Rebecca Boone, Intake Coordinator at Teen Challenge Columbus Girls Academy, Seale, AL, 334-855-3695, announced students from the academy recently presented an anti-drug presentation called Stay Sharp to 350 local high school students. Stay Sharp is a hard hitting, high energy, drug prevention presentation and video designed to educate students on drug and alcohol abuse and the consequences of their choices.

Winter Networking Luncheon - (January 6, 2010) Benchmark Transitions, Northwest Academy and RecoveryView.com/Villareal and Associates hosted a winter networking luncheon for Educational Consultants, licensed professionals and program representatives in January. The luncheon featured guest speaker Dr. Sheri Denham (with The Amen Clinics) who spoke on: "Applications of Neuroscience and Addiction Treatment for Daily Clinical Practice"

Kotter Joins New Haven - (January 6, 2010) Ashley Auchterlonie, Director of Marketing- InnerChange, 214-272-6880, announced Irene Kotter has joined the admissions team at New Haven RTC, Spanish Fork, UT. Irene began working at New Haven in 2004, most recently as Lead Supervisor for the Rosa Parks House.

Dr. Vogel Director of Counseling at FFS - (January 6, 2010) Jeff Brain, VP for External Affairs at Family Foundation School, Hancock, NY, 845-887-5213, announced Mark P. Vogel, PhD has been named Director of Counseling. A veteran clinical psychologist, Dr. Vogel has worked as a consultant with the school since 2007. Dr. Vogel graduated Rutgers University, received an MA from the New School for Social Research and a PhD from Duke University. He succeeds retiring director Susan Runge, LCSW-R, SSW, who has held the post since 2006, and who will continue to counsel students on a part-time basis.

New Haven Welcomes Kotter to Admissions - (January 6, 2010) InnerChange is pleased to announce that Irene Kotter has joined the admissions team at New Haven, located in Spanish Fork, UT. Irene began working at New Haven in 2004, most recently as Lead Supervisor for the Rosa Parks House. "Irene's experience working directly with students and families at New Haven and her passion for helping families regain hope makes her a perfect fit for this role", commented Dustin Tibbitts, Executive Director at New Haven. To learn more about New Haven contact Ashley Auchterlonie, Director of Marketing- InnerChange at 214-272-6880.

New Haven Joins AACRC - (January 6, 2010) New Haven, Spanish Fork, UT, an InnerChange program, joined the American Association of Child Residential Centers (AACRC) after New Haven's Executive Director, Dustin Tibbitts, LMFT attended a national AACRC conference in October 2009. AACRC's mission is to provide a powerful national voice for residential treatment through leadership, advocacy, and the promotion of best practices. For more information, please visit their website.

New Haven Signs SAMHSA Initiative - (January 6, 2010) New Haven RTC, Spanish Fork, UT, 801-380-4367, announced Executive Director, Dustin Tibbitts, LMFT, has officially documented New Haven's support for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Building Bridges Initiative, which works to build bridges between residential and community based service delivery providers, families and youth.

Echo Springs Graduate Shines - (January 7, 2010) Lisa Sutton, Admissions Advisor at Echo Springs Transition Study Center in Bonners Ferry, ID, 888-688-3246, shared a December graduate, Randy, currently has a 4.0 GPA at North Idaho College (an improvement over the 1.8 cumulative he had before coming to Echo Springs) and has chosen to participate in the optional Phase Out portion of the Echo Springs program for the next few months where he will live independently but have continual support with one on one staff mentoring and the option to engage in activities with Phase Two students. In addition, Randy remains involved in the community as the chairperson of the Thursday evening AA meeting (Coeur d'Alene chapter).

WinGate Hires Cohen and Schrunk - (January 7, 2010) Brad Matheson, Admissions Director/Partner of WinGate Wilderness Therapy, Lehi, UT, 800-560-1599, announced the addition of two new therapists to the WinGate team. John Cohen has worked with adolescents for much of his career. He spent 18 years working in the juvenile prison system providing assessment and counseling services to adolescents and their families. He also worked as a wilderness therapist at Wilderness Quest in 2007 and most recently at Open Sky Wilderness. Tracy Schrunk, LCSW, has been working with adolescents and emerging young adults for the past 11 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Tracy received her BA in psychology with honors from the University of Iowa where she also competed for the volleyball team and obtained her Master's Degree in Social work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX.

Friends of Families News - (January 7, 2010) James Powell, PhD and Brandi Elliott, Founders of The Friends of Families with Children in Crisis Foundation, Lake Arrowhead, CA, 951-317-3151, want to share that the Foundation has been blessed with numerous donations which continue to enable them to assist families in crisis and thanks all for the continued support. The Foundation is a non-profit corporation designated as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information or to make a donation please contact Jim or Brandi or visit the website.

Silverado Academy to Host First Parent Weekend for Girls - (January 8, 2010) Silverado Academy in Panguitch, UT, will host its first Parent Weekend for girls and their families on February 25 and will maintain tradition by holding the beginning meetings off-site at Ruby's Inn Resort. The new girls' program officially opened its doors in November 2009. To learn more contact Denise Westman, Director of Development at 435-676-8482.

New Haven Announces First Online Audio Library - (January 8, 2010) Dustin Tibbitts, LMFT, Executive Director at New Haven RTC, Spanish Fork, UT, 801-380-4367, is excited to announce an industry first - the first online library of short audio clips about treatment. New Haven has uploaded a brand-new audio feature to its website, called Sound Advice which offers over 100 short audio clips about critical treatment issues and diagnoses. Please view this new addition to the website.

Lane Featured in National Magazine - (January 8, 2010) Will Laughlin, Monkeybranch, LLC, Boulder, CO, 919-428-0050, shared that he wrote an article on Bill Lane that was featured as the lead article in January in the national magazine, Tonic. The article was part of a series entitled, "Living for a Living," which profiles individuals with lives or careers that are strikingly authentic, passionate, and purposeful. The article traces Lane's incredible journey from heroin addict to mental health professional and describes the youth transport profession.

EMDR at Sorenson Ranch - (January 11, 2010) Sorenson Ranch School in Koosharem, Utah announced Sorenson Ranch will now be utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a form of therapeutic treatment in working with students who have experienced trauma. EMDR is based on a simple technique that gets both the left and right sides of the brain working while the student recalls the traumatic experience. With the facilitation of the therapist, the teen is able to work through the trauma. To learn more contact Layne Bagley at 800-455-4590.

News from Elements Wilderness Program - (January 12, 2010) John Karren, Admissions Director at Elements Wilderness Program in Huntington, UT, 801-505-8481, shared some of their newest program developments, which include: the continuing use of "The Seven Challenges" program, which is now also used as a training model and simple frame work for their Field Mentors to facilitate, ensuring that effective substance abuse counseling is happening throughout the week. In addition, Elements has added Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills training to the core curriculum of their clinical program. For more information on Elements, please call or visit their website.

Elk Mountain Academy Celebrates 16 Years - (January 13, 2010) Elk Mountain Academy, Heron, MT, 406-847-4400, has just celebrated their "Sweet Sixteen" birthday. Founded by Carl and Loretta Olding in 1994, Elk Mountain Academy is a small therapeutic boarding school for young men ages 14-18. They are full members of NATSAP, NAAS and approved by SEVIS. Carl wishes to thank everyone for all the support they have received over the last 16 years.

New Film about Youth Recovery from Addiction - (January 15, 2010) Jack V. Sinclair, Oklahoma City, OK, 405-842-2334, has recently released a new documentary style video, that reveals the progression of drug and alcohol addiction from the early stages of experimentation through the death defying bottom to the spiritual enlightenment of recovery. Taking six to nine months to earn the trust of many of the young people featured in this video, Jack filmed 30 hours of footage which was then reduced to a 44 minute video that is winning praise from treatment centers, parents and adolescents. This film is distributed by Hazelden and with Films for the Humanities and Sciences. To learn more, contact Jack Sinclair.

Wilderness Therapy Symposium Call for Papers - (January 15, 2010) The Eighth Annual Wilderness Therapy Symposium will be held September 24-26, 2010 in Boulder, CO. The call for papers deadline is March 8, 2010. For more information about the Symposium, visit the website.

Summit Achievement Clinicians Attend Harvard Training - (January 15, 2010) Adam Tsapis, Admissions Director at Summit Achievement, Stowe, ME, 800-997-8664, announced Summit Achievements' Clinical Director, Will White, and Therapists, Daryl Fraize and Nichol Ernst, attended a multi-day training at Harvard Medical School focused on Autism Spectrum Disorders. The training presented the latest research and treatment choices for adolescents and adults with Autism and Asperger Syndrome.

Little Keswick Teacher Wins Award - (January 15, 2010) Terry Columbus, Director at Little Keswick School, Keswick, VA, 434-295-0457 ext 14, shared some exciting news that one of their teachers, Chanon Juhl, has won the "Margaret Shepherd Teaching Award" which is an annual recognition of a teacher who works with special needs students and is employed by a school that is a member of The Virginia Association for Independent Special Education Facilities (VAISEF). Chanon has taught at Little Keswick for eight years and holds a Masters degree with endorsement in Emotional Disturbance and Learning Disabilities and works with the youngest LKS boys, ages 9-12 years old.

West Ridge Academy Youth Spread Christmas Cheer - (January 15, 2010) Wendy Ballard, Communications for West Ridge Academy, West Jordan, UT, 801-282-1000, shared that students attending West Ridge Academy had the opportunity of putting on a musical Christmas program for the residents at a local care center. The program was created and directed by the youth themselves. Some of the highlights included a couple of gifted soloists, a narration of the Christmas story found in Luke 2, and some group performances of various traditional Christmas hymns. They performed beautifully! Students performed on two separate occasions, with the girl's performing the first week and the boy's performing the next.

Exciting News at New Life Academy International - (January 15, 2010) Greg Del Valle, Executive Director at New Life Academy International, Lakeland, FL, 863-647-1944, announced several exciting things happening at New Life Academy. New Life Academy is the first "Teen Challenge" International program in the Southeast region to become fully-accredited. Also, the new Rugby season for the girls begins January 2010 in Central Florida. In past years, the all girls team has been Florida State Champions (2007), beaten the University of Miami team (2008), the Georgia State Champions (2008), and were invited to the 2008 Southeastern Regional Championship. And New Life now offers a medical loan option to help ease the costs for parents with troubled teens in need of help. The school is also the only Teen Challenge program that offers this loan to parents. Contact Greg Del Valle for more information.

Aspen Ranch Expands Family Program - (January 16, 2010) Kristen Hayes, Communications Director of CRC Health Group, 949-589-1765, announced Aspen Ranch in Loa, UT, has recently launched a two-day training featuring an introduction to equine therapy for parents, where parents learned how to be more effective with their teens using horse relationships as their model. This new addition is part of the comprehensive family program Aspen provides in addition to their quarterly Parent Week conferences.

Cedar Springs Adds Patriot Support Center - (January 18, 2010) Andrew R. Laning II, CM Sgt, USAF (Retired), Executive Director of Military Affairs, Psychiatric Solutions, INC, 719-213-3628, 800-888-1088 announced Psychiatric Solutions, Inc (PSI) has launched Patriot Support, a PSI initiative to provide quality care to service members and their families across the nation to deal with the stresses of war. Cedar Springs Hospital is one of eight facilities, designated as Patriot Support Centers. Charles H. Dukes will head Patriot Support Center at Cedar Springs Hospital. Charles Dukes, MD, the Director of Military Psychiatry at Cedar Springs is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve who has been deployed to Iraq.

Vista Treatment Center Accepts 18 Year-old Males - (January 18, 2010) Memory Dixon, Owner and Admissions Director of Vista Treatment Center, Magna, UT, 801-910-5901, announced as of January 2010, Vista Treatment Center will now be accepting male students ages 18-19 into Residential Treatment. This provides older adolescents with the opportunity to continue full-time care, even after their 18th birthday. Call Memory for more information.

New Scoutmaster At FFS - (January 20, 2010) Scott Cole, global and US history teacher at The Family Foundation School, Hancock, NY, 845-887-5213, has been named scoutmaster for FFS Boy Scout Troop 174. Cole, himself an Eagle Scout, has been active in the troop since 2007 when he joined the FFS faculty. He replaces former staff Bruce Hutchison as troop leader. Scouting has been a popular extracurricular activity at FFS since 2006 when Troop 174 was organized on campus. Nearly 100 boys have participated in troop activities, including several who were scouts at home. To date five boys have earned Eagle Scout status while enrolled at FFS.

FFS Introduces Vegetarian Menu - (January 20, 2010) Rita Argiros, PhD, VP Administrative Affairs at The Family Foundation School, Hancock, New York, announced that the school now offers a separate vegetarian menu for the growing number of students and staff who don't eat meat. The new menu went into effect on February 1 and includes meatless versions of the regular breakfast, lunch and dinner fare, balanced to provide essential nutrients. Like the regular menu, the vegetarian menu will rotate every six months to take advantage of spring/summer and fall/winter fruits and vegetables.