AEG 'S SHAW IN US NEWS
(May 7, 2008) US News featured an article about parents concern with the amount of time their adolescents are spending on "on-line video game" playing. Aspen Education Group's therapist, Aaron Shaw says families are turning to wilderness therapy with a back to nature approach to ending this gaming obsession.

MILLER'S BILL UPDATE
(June 24, 2008) House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) issued a statement following the
Democratic leaders abruptly pulling the bill after "Rank-and-File Democrats" signal support for GOP Parental Rights Proposal. To view this article in its entirety visits the struggling teen's website.

THANKS TO WATERFALL CANYON
(July 1, 2008) There is a new letter on StrugglingTeens.com, from parents recommending and thanking Waterfall Canyon Academy in Ogden, UT.

NEW STAFF AT ST. PAUL'S
(July 17, 2008) St. Paul's Academy in Phoenix, AZ recently hired two new staff members that have experience dealing with substance abuse issues with adolescents. Jessica Benevento, MC, joined the counseling staff as one of the school's therapist. Jordan Arsht joined the dorm staff as a third counselor on one of the shifts. Jordan is in recovery, having completed the Gatehouse program in Wickenburg, AZ. In addition, Jamshed Ghouse, a former instructor of mathematics at Arizona State University was hired to replace Julie Mancinelli, a seventeen year employee at St. Paul's who retired last year.

A BANNER YEAR FOR ISPA
(July 22, 2008) The Independent Small Programs Alliance (ISPA) celebrated three years of operation. Four new members joined ISPA in the beginning of 2008: Dragonfly Adventures in Klamath Falls, OR, Mount Carmel Youth Ranch, in Cody, WY, Life Development Institute (LDI) in Glendale, AZ and Wilderness Treatment Center in Marion, MT. In addition, Sue Bigg and Nancy Masland, independent educational consultants, were the recipients of ISPA's 2008 Gem Award.

NEWS BLAZE FEATURES WELLSPRING
(July 23, 2008) Wellspring Programs were featured in an article in News Blaze, regarding kids gaining more weight during the summer months than during the school year, which comes as a surprise to parents. Wellspring offers summer camps for kids and parents designed to teach skills for weight loss and long-term weight control.

ALASKA CROSSINGS IN NINTH YEAR
(July 23, 2008) Alaska Crossings, now in its ninth year, a wilderness program in Wrangell, AK, founded by Mark Walker and StevePrysunka, was featured in an article in the Capitol City Weekly News. To view this article visit:

CERTIFIED COACH TRAINING
(July 23, 2008) Next Step for Success will offer their next 20-week telecourse titled "Coaching Parents, Struggling Teens and Young Adults" starting Tuesday, September 16, 2008. This course has been approved by the International Coach Federation. For more information contact Penelope Valentine at 541-504-5224.

WELLSPRING HAWAII IN THE NEWS
(July 24, 2008) Wellspring Camp in Hawaii was in the Honolulu Advisor.com news source, with campers arriving from New Zealand, London, Mexico, Japan, Thailand, Texas, Georgia, New York, Colorado and California. Wellspring Camps, also runs nine other camps on the Mainland, in the United Kingdom and Australia.

PINE RIVER AWARDED GRANT
(July 25, 2008) Pine River Institute in Toronto, Ontario, was awarded its first research grant. The Provincial Centre of Excellence in Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO has awarded $30,000 toward their program evaluation research

VALLEY VIEW WEBSITE UPGRADED
(July 25, 2008) Rick Bulger the Associate Director at Valley View School, North Brookfield, MA
508-867-6505 is pleased to announce Valley View has a brand new comprehensive website, which will provide parents and consultants a much clearer picture of what Valley View School is all about. The site address remains the same.

RANDALL PROMOTED AT LIVING WELL
(July 25, 2008) Living Well Transitions in Boulder, CO has announced Julie Randall was named Executive Director. Julie has worked at Living Well since its founding in 2004, as the Director of Operations, as well as the Acting Executive Director since the death of founder Bill Sell in March 2008. For information, call 303-245-1020.

WELLSPRING'S A FIRST FOR UK
(July 28, 2007) Wellspring will be opening Britain's first boarding school for obese teenagers, ages 11-18 years old, in three years, which will teach food science and weight management in addition to the national curriculum.

TRANSITIONING LD/ADHD STUDENTS
(July 28, 2008) Renee LeWinter Goldberg, EdD, a member of The Independent Education Consultants Association (IECA) wrote a comprehensive plan for educational consultants with students with learning disabilities, transitioning to college.

CORE'S CONCUSSION AWARENESS
(July 29, 2008) CORE Health Care distributed educational information packets about concussion awareness to all the Dripping Springs Middle & High School Coaches, with plans to schedule future presentations from CORE's clinical team for their students. For information about CORE Health Care, contact Nicole Harmon, MA, NCC, 512-894-0801.

DRAGONFLY SHIFTS TO TRANSITIONS
(July 29, 2008) Mona Treadway and Glenn White, owners of Dragonfly Adventures and Transitions announced they will no longer offer wilderness adventure trips through the Dragonfly Adventures program, and will dedicate their time and energy to the Dragonfly Transitions program. For more information, contact them at 888-437-2112.

PARENTS UNDERESTIMATE DRUG USE
(July 30, 2008) Sagewalk has found that parents seem to be somewhat naïve about their teen's drug and alcohol use. In their experience, parents often learn more about their child's drug usage being at least double what they knew about, and much longer lasting, during their child's experience in the program.

FUNDRAISING FOR HORIZON HIGH
(July 30, 2008) Jan Fulwiler, a parent of a 2001 CEDU graduate, is asking for help for Horizon High School, Central Wisconsin's only Recovery High School. Jan is helping in fundraising for this school which provides "a safe, secure, supportive alcohol and drug free place to go to school" to help teens make new lives.

UK WELLSPRING IN THE NEWS AGAIN
(July 31, 2008) A Scottish news source, The Daily Record, featured an article on Wellspring UK, a pioneering weight loss camp in the Lake District, which is transforming dozens of overweight youngsters' lives forever.

GRAND RIVER ACCEPTS SPECIAL NEEDS GRADUATES
(August 1, 2008) Grand River Academy in Austinburg, OH, academy@grandriver.org, will enroll students that have completed many wilderness and therapeutic programs this fall, with several of these returning students being offered merit scholarships to return.

CROKE REVIEWS BENCHMARK
(August 1, 2008) Thomas J. Croke of FamilyLight Consultants and a member of Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), recently reviewed Benchmark Young Adult School as "the pace setter for young adult programs." He continues to make referrals to their program.

WELLSPRING NC IN THE NEWS AGAIN
(August 1, 2008) A 15 year old girl from South Wales whose weight is life threatening, will attend Wellspring Academy in NC, USA.

CARDOZA'S PARENTAL ABDUCTION CASES
(August 4, 2008) Answers for the Family radio talk show, owned and hosted by Allen Cardoza, the President of West Shield Adolescent Services, Huntington Beach, CA, 800-899-8585, featured Logan Clarke, well known for his experiences in conducting specialized investigations and trouble shooting in foreign countries. They discussed some of the parental cases he has worked on in Los Angeles, the Middle East and the Sudan. For more information, contact Allen Cardoza at 714-898-9696.

KILDONAN'S CENTER NEARS COMPLETION
(August 4, 2008) The new athletic center at Kildonan School in Amenia, NY, admissions@kildonan.org, is looking good and nearing completion. Kildonan is a school designed specifically for the needs of students with dyslexia or language based learning disabilities. For more information, call 845-373-8111.

SCHEFF BOOK RELEASED
(August 4, 2008) Sue Scheff, owner of PURE, a referring agency from Weston FL, announced the release of her new book "Wit's End: Advice and Resources for Saving Your Out-of-Control Teen."

NEW HAVEN MIRACLES PUBLISHED
(August 4, 2008) Kristie Jensen, Ari Terry and Jacqueline Fairbanks, the Admissions team at New Haven, Spanish Fork, UT 801-794-1218 are excited about the publication of the book New Haven Miracles, compiled from letters and emails the program has received from their alumni over the last 13 years. The book includes personal experiences at New Haven.

BOULDER CREEK ACCEPTS INT'L STUDENTS
(August 4, 2008) Boulder Creek Academy is now a US Department of State designated sponsor organization and authorized to issue Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)-generated documents such as the I-20 visa for international students approved for enrollment. For more information, contact Paul Johnson at 877-348-0848.

DISCOVERY ACADEMY OPENS NEW CENTER
(August 5, 2008) Guests from throughout North America and the Bermuda Islands recently attended an open house for Discovery Academy's new academic center. The $3-million dollar facility is an expansion of the school's campus located in Provo, Utah. Discovery Academy is a therapeutic boarding school with separate programs for boys and girls ages 13-17.

NEW HAVEN FITNESS WALK/RUN
(August 5, 2008) New Haven held its third annual 5K race for parents and students in conjunction with the July Family Weekend activities. This is the third year for the walk/race event, which both campuses (Spanish Fork and Saratoga Springs) held on separate Saturdays in the month of July. Over sixty families participated along with teachers, therapists, recreational therapists, and staff from New Haven.

SOAR'S SEMESTER OPPORTUNITIES
(August 7, 2008) SOAR is now offering new semester opportunities, which include: Semester in the Rockies and Yellowstone, Sept. 9- Dec. 6; Semester in the Appalachians, Sept. 8-Dec. 5; Southeast Coastal Semester, Jan. 7- May 3, 2009 and Semester in the Southwest, Jan. 8-May 4, 2009. For more information on all the courses, contact Richard Lance, Director of Admissions at 828-456-3435.

WILDERNESS TREATMENT CENTER IS 25
(August 7, 2008) Wilderness Treatment Center, ben@wildernesstreatmentcenter.com, is celebrating its 25th year anniversary this August and would like to sincerely thank all of the professionals and families that have supported them throughout the years They look forward to the next 25 years.

SAN MARCOS SERVES 9-YEAR OLD BOYS
(August 7, 2008) Programming is now available at San Marcos Treatment Center, San Marcus, TX, for boys beginning at age nine. This programming also includes their Prescription Plan. In addition, San Marcos Treatment Center has updated its website. For more information, contact Michelle Miller, Admissions Coordinator, at 512-754-3208.

ANASAZI'S DECEMBER GALA
(August 7, 2008) As part of ANASAZI Foundation's 20-year anniversary celebration, they will be holding a December Gala on Friday, December 5 and Saturday December 6, 2008. Friday's festivities will feature dinner, a reception and awards at the Scottsdale Westin Kierland Resort and Spa. Saturday's activities will be held at the Mesa Arts Center with a BBQ and concert. For more information, contact President/ CEO Michael J. Merchant of ANASAZI Foundation at 800-678-3445.

NWA ACCEPTS FOREIGN STUDENTS
(August 7, 2008) North West Academy is now a US Department of State designated sponsor organization and authorized to issue Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)-generated documents such as the I-20 visa for international students approved for enrollment. For more information contact Dr. Adam McLain at 877-348-0848.

DYNAMY CELEBRATES 39 YEARS
(August 7, 2008) Greg Cappello, Director of Admissions at Dynamy Internship Year, Worcester, MA, 508-755-2571, announced Dynamy Internship will start its 39th Year this Fall. In addition, several new staff has joined the team, including Sarah Gilbert as Program director and Advisors Jesse Gingras and Patricia Mallios.

BENCHMARK ALUMNUS ON DEAN'S LIST
(August 8, 2008) Benchmark Young Adult School graduate, Alumnus Philip Furnari, was nominated for the Dean's List at California State University, LA, College of Natural and Social Sciences, because of his outstanding academic achievement. For additional information, contact Richard Brimhall, admissions at 800-474-4848.

THREE SPRINGS PROMOTES AND HIRES
(August 8, 2008) Three Springs, Aida.Porras@threesprings.com, has had several staff hires and promotions. Dana Hampson is now Group Administrator of the Paint Rock and Duck River Programs. Dean Porterfield was promoted to Director of Clinical Programming for Private Programs for Three Springs while continuing as Program Administrator at the Duck River Program. Joining the team is Sarah Raynor as staff psychologist at the Paint Rock Programs and Douglas W. Adams, MD was appointed as Consulting Psychiatrist.

THAYER ESCAPEES NABBED
(July 30, 2008) Cameron, MO, Two youths assaulted a security guard while escaping from the Thayer Learning Center located in Kidder Missouri. Local law enforcement apprehended the two and they were taken into custody.

BECKET STUDENTS OBSERVE OWLS
(August 7, 2008) Under the guidance of Forestry and Wildlife teacher, Bill House, Becket students have diligently observed the progress of Peregrine Falcons nesting on Owl's Head cliff located in the Oliverian Valley. For several years, the Forestry/Wildlife class has monitored the cliff, getting an opportune chance to witness the world's fastest animal thriving in their natural habitat. For information, contact Jeff Caron, MEd, at 603-359-5951.

HAPPENINGS AT CLEARVIEW
(August 7, 2008) Clearview, clearviewtg@yahoo.com, students recently served 400+ people at the Annual Noxon Pig in the Park Celebration. In addition, three students graduated the program, with one student attending North Idaho College and two students continuing their high school education closer to home.

VIVE! EXPANDS TO EAST COAST
(August 8, 2008) VIVE, blaughlin@vivenow.com, has developed an east coast team of therapists to serve families in need of aftercare and early intervention services. The current team consists of Dr. Josh Carpenter, East Coast Parent Coach and Julie Brown, New York Mentor.

GREENBRIER'S EQUINE PROGRAM
(August 8, 2008) Beth Ragland, Greenbrier Academy, Pence Springs, WV, 877-788-8422, announced the opening of an Equine program and completion of the stables for the horses. The Equine Program Director is April L. Hart. Hart has 25 years experience operating riding/ training schools of horsemanship, as well as working with special needs program.

NATWC SEPTEMBER CONFERENCE
(August 11, 2008) Tick McClintock, Executive Director of the National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping (NATWC) is pleased to announce the new website of NATWC is up and running in time to preview the NATWC Annual Training Conference, September 21-23 at Villas by the Sea, Jekyll Island, GA. The conference features a State of the Industry symposium, with guests from NATWC, NATSAP, AEE, IECA, OBHIC, as well as politicians and college and university representatives. For more information, contact Tick McClintock at 724-329-1098 or email.

STROWD AT NORTHSTAR CENTER
(August 12, 2008) Chesley Strowd has joined NorthStar Center as the Admissions Director. Chesley has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Mississippi, and had previously worked at a therapeutic boarding school for six years. For more information, contact Sean Fievet, Executive Director at Northstar Center, 541-385-8657.

CORAL REEF INTRODUCES MY CHOICE PROGRAM
(August 11, 2008) My Choice Program is a new drug free residential therapeutic community for young men ages 18-24 with addiction issues. The program is located in Samoa, and is part of Coral Reef Academy. The key staff consists of Craig Hughes, Residential Director; Allison Hughes, Academic Director; Nathan Sellers, MSW, Primary Therapist; Dorthea Mills, MA, Clinical Assistant. Andy Ferguson, MSW, is the new Primary Therapist at Coral Reef Academy, Julia Ferguson is the Parent Liaison and Nick Lawrenson, is the Experiential and Cultural Coordinator of both programs. For more information, contact Bryan Marks, Admissions Coordinator, 702-233-0444.

FALL EVENTS AT LIFESPAN
(August 11, 2008) According to Steven Curtis, PhD, NCSP, announced Lifespan in Bainbridge Island, WA, is offering the following workshops and groups for parents and children: Puzzling Behavior Support Group for Parents, September 17; Help Your Child Find Success Parent Workshop, October and Navigating the Adolescent Social World for Girls, September 16. For more information, contact Steven Curtis at 866-645-2470.

RECOVERY MONTH AT EXCEL ACADEMY TEXAS
(August 13, 2008) EXCEL Academy of Texas, Conroe, TX, 800-260-9178, a division of CRC Health Group, will host a variety of activities to celebrate Recovery Month 2008, which will include a breakfast buffet, guest speakers and a BBQ. After lunch, everyone will participate in a simultaneous release of environmentally friendly balloons along with over 100 other CRC and Aspen Education Group programs. For more information, contact Don Vardell, Executive Director.

SHINGLER AT SYCAMORE CANYON
(August 13, 2008) Sycamore Canyon Academy in Oracle, AZ, announced Kathy Shingler as Admissions Manager. Contact Kathy at 520-896-9391 ext 103.

HIRED POWER BRIDGES THE GAP
(August 14, 2008) Hired Power uses certified personal recovery assistants (CPRA) in its program to bridge the gap between treatment centers and living in recovery at home by collaborating with family members, treatment programs and addiction professionals. For more information, contact Monique Harding, Director of Operations, 800-910-9299 or Nanette Zumwalt, Owner, at 714-964-6730.

REAMER & SIEGEL'S NEW BOOK
(August 14, 2008) Frederic Reamer, PhD, and Deborah Siegel, PhD, (husband and wife) are professors at the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College, and are the authors of a guide for parents and professionals, called Finding Help for Struggling Teens. Their new book, Teens in Crisis: How the Industry Serving Struggling Teens Helps and Hurts Our Kids will be out this October. For more information on this article, go to the Tehran Times English website.

BLAINE LEAVES DUCK RIVER
(August 14, 2008) Janna Blaine, formerly Director of Admissions at Three Springs Duck River, Huntsville, AL, 931-729-5040, announced she is leaving Three Springs, moving back to Canada to be closer to her family and to start school. Deidre Butte will take the reins as Director of Admissions, a position she previously held for five years.

FERRERO AT SAN CRISTOBAL
(August 14, 2008) Marty Ferrero has joined San Cristobal Ranch Academy as the Director of Recovery and Residential Services. In his new role, Marty will provide leadership for all aspects of SCA's chemical dependency and residential programs. For information contact Don Purves, Marketing Director at 866-918-8383.

MISSION MOUNTAIN TAKES SABBATICAL
(August 15, 2008) After 19 years of service, John Mercer, MS, School Head, and Colleen Harrington, Assistant School Head, Co-founders of Mission Mountain School in Condon, MT, have decided to take a sabbatical from running the school. All of the current students graduated high school, completed the program or transitioned to another placement. John and Colleen thank everyone for their support over the years. The wrap up can be found on their website.

WEIGHT LOSS SCHOLARSHIPS
(August 17, 2008) The New York Times reports several weight loss camps, including Wellspring, offered free or subsidized stays at their summer camps, with applications in the hundreds. Wellspring is seeking corporate sponsors to help provide more scholarships.

GREENBRIER DENIES CHARGES
(August 18, 2008) The Charleston Gazette reported a former employee of Greenbrier Academy for Girls in Pence Springs, WV, has sued Greenbrier Academy. The school's statement denying all charges can be found on StrugglingTeens.com.

SHELTERWOOD OPENS IN MISSOURI
(August 18, 2008) Jane Lawrence, Program Marketing and Admissions for Shelterwood in Kansas City, MO, announced the opening of Shelterwood, a Christian, non-profit residential care facility for troubled teens, and a member of the Doulos Ministries. Shelterwood also has an accredited school on campus. For more information, contact Jane Lawrence at 800-584-5005.

BRAIN A TRAUMA SPECIALIST
(August 20, 2008) Jeff Brain, MA, Vice President for External Relations and member of the counseling staff at The Family Foundation School, Hancock, NY, 845-887-5213, has recently been certified as a clinical trauma specialist by the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children, a national program based in Michigan. Many of the troubled teens served by the school have experienced physical or sexual abuse, rape, death of a parent or other traumatic episode, and the school is increasing its emphasis and expertise in the growing field of trauma intervention with specialized training for its counseling staff. For more information, contact Ann Kozak, 845-887-5213.

TIMBER RIDGE GRADUATES TWO
(August 19, 2008) Two students have graduated the program at Timber Ridge Preparatory School for Girls. Megan Casey will attend North Virginia Community College and Ashlie Conley will complete her senior year in high school. Congratulations to both from everyone at Timber Ridge.

OLIVERIAN TEACHES CPR
(August 20, 2008) Students at The Oliverian School in Haverhill, NH, participated in an on-campus CPR instruction course. Students learned how to perform CPR and First Aid on adults, children and infants, as well as how to use various AEDs. Students also demonstrated how to respond to a choking situation. All students successfully passed the course and many students said they learned much from this course because of the very realistic approach the instructors used with role-playing activities.

PRIVATE SCHOOL FAIR UPCOMING
(August 20, 2008) Andrew Stawicki, Owner of Our Kids Publications, Ltd in Mississauga, Ontario, announced the Vancouver Private School Fair will be held November 15, at the Empire Landmark Hotel. For more information, contact Agnes Stawicki, Managing Editor,
Special Projects, 905 272-1843, Ext. 31

FURBUSH OF OPI INTO DBT
(August 20, 2008) Misty Furbush, MFT, Optimum Performance Institute (OPI) therapist, will attend specialized training for Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) certification in order to train other OPI therapists in this technique. The training will be done at the Portland Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program in Portland, OR. Ms. Furbush is Director of Milieu Services and Staff Development at OPI in Woodland Hills, CA.

FAZZOLARI AT PHOENIX OUTDOOR
(August 20, 2008) According to Sue Crowell, SVP Outdoor Division for Aspen Education Group, Jennifer Fazzolari was appointed Executive Director of Phoenix Outdoor in Roswell, GA. Jennifer joins Phoenix Outdoor with eight years of experience managing therapeutic programs. She previously served as director at both Parkersburg Treatment Center and Pressley Ridge Schools in West Virginia.

VALLEY VIEW'S NEW WEB SITE
(August 20, 2008) Valley View School has an exciting new web site that gives a clear overview of Valley View and a personal letter posted from the Director. For more information, visit their website.

RUTZKES VISIT WOODBURY REPORTS
(August 20, 2008) Frank and Jacqueline Rutzke from Grace House in Thompson Falls, MT, 406-827-4208, stopped by Woodbury Reports, Inc. to discuss their new program, which is designed as a girls' residence for Arts and Creative Education, accepting girls ages 12-19. For more information, contact Jacqueline Rutzke.

ABC 20/20 TO AIR ADOPTION DISRUPTION
(August 20, 2008) According to Joyce Sterkey, Director of The Ranch For Kids, Eureka, MT, 406-889-3106, ABC's 20/20 is planning to air a program about adoption disruption on September 5th, 2008, which was filmed in part at The Ranch For Kids. The September date is the most recent rescheduling, so the actual airing could be later.