Seen N' Heard
SEEN-N-HEARD JANUARY 2004
Dec 31, 2003, 16:53

JAMES CLARKE, II RESIGNS AS DECK HOUSE HEADMASTER
(July 1, 2003) James (Bar) R. Clarke, II, Headmaster, the Deck House School, Edgecomb, Maine, 207-882-7055, www.deckhousechool.org, announced his resignation effective June 30, 2004. Expressing love and commitment for the school, he is also committed to creating a smooth transition. Thomas Pittman, Jr., President, Board of Trustees, speaks “for the entire community” when saying he is sorry to see Clarke leave Deck House, and is pleased his successor, Tom Blackford, is in their midst, having served for the past seven years, three of which were as assistant headmaster.

DENMENS’ ULTIMATE SKI TRIP FOR BOYS IN ITALY
(Fall 2003) David Denman, Educational Consultant, Sausalito, CA, 415-332-1831, and his son, Nelson, will lead a week of Alpine Skiing for Strong Intermediate and & Expert Skiers from March 19 through the 27, 2004. It will be in “the picturesque Italian village of Gressoney, and the Monte Rosa Ski Area (named for the second highest peak in the Alps) northeast of Milan.” In addition to David and Nelson Denman, a “certified professional Italian ski instructor will ski with the group daily for the entire week. With three experienced Alpine leaders, the ratio of adults to participant skiers on the slopes will be 1:2.” David plans to lead Alpine treks for young people next summer; the Boys’ Trek is from June 19 to July 2, 2004, and the Girls’ Trek is from June 20 to July 3, 2004. They’ll hike the Tour du Mont Blac, “slightly less strenuous than the Haute Route of the past two summers, but, incredibly, even more scenic.”

INTERIM DIRECTOR AT SPRING LAKE RANCH
(September 2003) Dr. Bruce Bullock, President of the Spring Lake Ranch Board of Trustees, Cuttingsville, Vermont, 802-492-3322, www.springlakeranch.org, springlakeranch@springlakeranch.org, announced Lynn McDermontt will act as Interim Director of the Ranch, replacing 11 year Director Patrick McKee who left the ranch to "lead a non-profit organization in New York."

NEW PERSONNEL AT HIDDEN LAKE ACADEMY
(November, 2003) Hidden Lake Academy, Dahlonega, Georgia, 706-864-4730, www.hiddenlakeacademy.com has “expanded the medical staff available to students…” and “contracted the services of two additional physicians, Dr. Ben. L. Harrell, MD, and Dr. Kimberly M. Kurtz, MD. Dr. Harrell is Board Certified in Family Practice Dr. Kurtz has “experience working in urgent acute injury care centers.” Also, Anna Jones who has completed a Master of Education with emphasis in School Counseling, is the new Assistant Director of Academics, promoted from her previous position as HLA’s Assistant Department Head of School Communications.

BOSTON GLOBE CARRIES DeSISTO’S OBITUARY
(November 3, 2003) The Boston Globe, www.boston.com/dailyglobe, carried the story: “Michael DeSisto, founder of school for troubled youth.” It described his death at age 64 as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage after undergoing a kidney transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

ACHIEVEMENT VALLEY RANCH ADDS GIRLS HOUSE
(November 12, 2003) Eric & Martha Larson, Owners of Achievement Valley Ranch, Westmoreland, Tennessee, 615-644-4956, www.avranch.com announce the addition of a new house that will house four females, ages 12 – 17 years. Previously this was a program for up to 12 male adolescents. This “school focused ranch emphasizes family values, old fashioned work ethics, and Christian principles.”

POSITIVE IMPACT CONDUCTS ITS FIRST FATHER-SON WORKSHOP
(November 20) John Anderson, Executive Director and Founder, Positive Impact, Bahia de Kino, Mexico, www.bahiadekino.com, 877-236-1114, and Stacey Stocking, program director, led Positive Impact’s first father-son “innovative and experiential weekend workshop” on November 14th through 16. Nine fathers and their sons attended the workshop, which focused on the relationships between them, and the ways in which the sons’ therapeutic work related to their fathers. Fathers also looked at how their relationship with their father affected their relationship with their son.

THE SUMMIT CAMP OPENS ENROLLMENT
(November 21, 2003) The Summit Camp Inc., with main Offices in New York City, 212-689-3880, and summer address in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, 570-253-4381, www.summitcamp.com, summitcamp@aol.com, announced they are opening their enrollment to new campers for their 35th season. The season lasts from July 1 to August 22. Their Coed "summer recreational program is for children and teens, ages 8 to 17, who are classified as having AD/HD, Non Verbal LD, Aspergers, Tourettes, Bi-Polar Disorder, and related social/emotional difficulties. Their Travel Program for older teens ages 16-19 with similar diagnoses features a 25 day trip to the American West.

VILLA SANTA MARIA STUDY REPORT
(November 24, 2003) Joseph J. McGuill, CEO of Villa Santa Maria, Cedar Crest, New Mexico, 505-281-3609, www.villasantamaria.com, attachkids@aol.com, a program for young children using the Attachment Model of Treatment, reported a study conducted by Clinical Psychologist Scott L. Blackwell, Ph.D., a consultant for Villa Santa Maria. The 2002 program report, completed in March 2003, concluded that after one year of treatment "the children treated at the Villa Santa Maria made significant improvement in all areas of psychological functioning as measured by the VSM Scales of Treatment Progress.... the children made the greatest gains in interpersonal relationships, a testament to the attachment model of treatment at the Villa Santa Maria."

SCHOOL AWARDED NCA ACCREDITATION
(November 26, 2003) Angie Senic, Executive Director, Alldredge Academy, Davis, West Virginia, 304-259-2262, info@alldredgeacademy.org, senicangie@yahoo.com, announced that Alldredge Academy was granted continuing accreditation from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). Alldredge Academy has maintained its accreditation status since 2000. Senic states: "NCA CASI accreditation is recognized across state lines, which not only eases the transfer process as students move from accredited school to accredited school but also assures parents that the school is meeting regionally and nationally accepted standards for quality and successful professional practice." To learn more about NCA CASI accreditation, visit: www.ncacasi.org

NEW STAFF AT PENINSULA VILLAGE
(December 1, 2003) The Peninsula Village Vision, a publication of Peninsula Behavioral Health, Louisville, Tennessee, 800-255-8336, www.peninsulavillage.org, announced their Village programs got new clinical Directors. Barbara L. Taylor, Ph.D. has been named the Clinical Director for the Boys' Continuum at the Village, and Adam V. McClain, Psy.D. has been named the new Clinical Director for the Girls' Continuum.

NAWA ACADEMY BECOMES NONPROFIT
(December 1, 2003) David Hull, Ex. Dir. of NAWA Academy, French Gulch, California, 800-358-6292. www.nawa-academy.com nawa@concentric.net, a school for children with attention and/or learning problems and/or floundering in school, announced the completion of the preparations for NAWA Academy to become "a nonprofit public benefit corporation." The transition was in response a perception they "were not in a position to successfully compete for the diminishing dollar being projected for private education." The transition will be complete on January 1, 2004 when the Board of NAWA Academy is eligible to accept donations to a scholarship fund and accept donations of equipment and supplies.

RECREATIONAL THERAPY AT TYLER RANCH
(December 2, 2003) Jon Tyler, founder and administrator of Tyler Ranch, Spokane, Washington, 800-368-7159, www.tylerranch.com, announced they have increased the recreational therapy component this last year, to offering weekly rock-climbing seminars. "Rock climbing offers both physical and emotional growth opportunities in a format that truly seems to speak to young people."

TALISMAN SUMMER PROGRAMS
(December 2, 2003) Talisman Programs, Black Mountain, North Carolina, 828-669-8639, www.talismansummercamp.com, summer@stonemountainschool.com announced plans for several program this summer for young people ages 9 to 17 addressing "the needs of children with ADHD, learning disabilities, High-Functioning Autism, or Asperger's Syndrome."

ASPEN EDUCATION GROUP OPENS CALIFORNIA BOARDING SCHOOL
(December 4, 2003) Aspen Education Group Chief Executive Officer Elliot Sainer, 562-467-5507, www.aspeneducation.com, 888-972-7736, announced the opening of Academy of the Sierras, “a boarding school in Central California geared expressly for students ages 14-18 who struggle with the demands of traditional educational systems. With its opening, the Academy becomes the only boarding school in the state to fully integrate academic achievement with personalized services involving every aspect of a student’s daily life.” The curriculum will include language, math, science and history along with hands-on experiences that include photography, horticulture, auto shop and recreational sports. Students will also take part in diverse community service programs and inspirational activities.

OBH OUTCOME STUDY PUBLISHED CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM
(December 5, 2003) Keith Russell, Outdoor Education, University of New Hampshire, kr6@maple.unh.edu, announced the publication of the OBHIC outcome study has just been released in the Child and Youth Care Forum, Journal December 2003. It reports the results of an outcome assessment for adolescent clients who received treatment in seven participating OBH (Outdoor Behavioral Health) programs averaging 45 days in length. “Adolescent client well-being was evaluated utilizing the Youth Outcome Questionnaire (Y-OQ) and the Self Report-Youth Outcome Questionnaire (SR Y-OQ)…Complete data sets at admission and discharge were collected for 523 client self-report and 372 parent assessments…Results indicated that at admission clients exhibited presenting symptoms similar to inpatient samples, which were on average significantly reduced at discharge. Follow-up assessments using a random sample of clients found that on average, outcomes had been maintained at 12-months posttreatment.” The article can be found at: www.kluweronline.com/issn/1053-1890.

GATEHOUSE FEATURED IN THE WICKENBURG SUN
(December 05, 2003) Robert Pfeifer, RobPfeif@aol.com, Gatehouse, 818-415-3456, Wickenburg, Arizona, www.strugglingyoungadults.com, a therapeutic community for young adults ages 17 –24 who wish to maintain a sober lifestyle and either have been in previous treatment or more contained settings, was featured in the Wickenburg Sun on November 20, 2003, at: www.wickenburgsun.com.

LANDMARK COLLEGE BRIDGE SEMESTER
(December 10, 2003) Dale Herold, Vice President, Enrollment Management for Landmark College, Putney, Vermont, 802-387-6718, www.landmark.edu, admissions@landmark.edu, announced their Spring 2004 Bridge Semester will begin on January 22, 2004. The Bridge Semester is for college students with learning disabilities or AD/HD who are struggling with their academics. The Bridge Semester is designed to help them with the learning skills they need to return to their college of choice and succeed.

THE RANCH HOUSE MOVES TO PORTLAND AREA
(December 11, 2003) Marilyn Siegel, CSW-R, The Ranch House, Inc., Portland, Oregon, 503-292-2531, contact@boysranchhouse.com, www.boysranchhouse.com, informed us of their recent move to the Portland area in order to establish the clinical, educational, health professional contacts and relationships for a broader client base and additional family services. Marilyn is also developing her private practice and will continue to do individual, group and family sessions in addition to helping to operate, along with her husband, Gabriel Isaiah Rivera, this structured family living program for 8 students. Their initial Home/High School/Middle School is accredited through Portland State Univ. Local middle and high schools are available once the student is proven ready. The Portland area offers a variety of educational, and cultural resources and opportunities for Community Service. They also wish to give a special thanks to the Sisters School District and local community for its cooperation and efforts in assisting The Ranch House.

NORTH IDAHO YOUTH PROGRAM ADDS MSW
(December 11, 2003) John Baisden, Turning Winds/FSNI, 800-845-1380, Hayden, Idaho, www.fsni.org reports that Turning Winds, a program that focuses on rehabilitating troubled youth ages 12-17, has just added second therapist, Tracy Newton, MSW, to its treatment team, which is headed by Kirk Weaver, Ph.D., NCC, LMFT.

STEPHEN BIDDULPH TO LEAD RED ROCK CANYON SCHOOL
(december 11, 2003) “The governing body of Red Rock Canyon School, St. George, Utah, 800-635-4441, announces Stephen Biddulph, M.A. has accepted the position of Executive Director effective January 1, 2004, replacing Dennis Budd. Dennis, who has provided excellent leadership over the past three years has elected to step down as director to pursue professional interests outside of residential care.” Biddulph obtained a Masters Degree in counseling psychology during his twenty-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a Licensed Professional counselor with Provo Canyon School. He is the author of Hazelden’s Adolescent Recovery Plan, also having done several years of national seminars and training workshops in the chemical abuse treatment area for Hazelden Corporation. He is the former Dean of Students of Southern Virginia University.

DORE FRANCES ANNOUNCES WEBSITE & SERVICES
(December 12, 2003) Dore Frances, IEC, dore@dorefrances.com, 866-833-6911, Child & Family Right's Advocate, Educational Consultant and Family Mentor, www.DoreFrances.com,www.GetanIEP.com, announces her services and website.

DORENFELD TO HEAD ASPEN’S RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS
(December 15, 2003) Aspen Education Group, www.aspeneducation.com, 888-972-7736, has named Mark Dorenfeld to oversee Residential Schools and Programs. “Currently the senior vice president of Aspen’s Special Education Day Schools, he will now assume the added responsibility of overseeing the organization’s Residential Schools and Programs division… Dorenfeld brings to his new position more than two decades of experience in senior management, the last 6+ years with Aspen... "We are very fortunate to have someone with Mark’s experience and breadth of knowledge heading up our residential schools and programs,” said Aspen Chief Executive Officer Elliot Sainer, 562-467-5507. Aspen has “49 programs in 13 states, ranging from long-term residential treatment to community-based outpatient services.”

CORRECTION: SHEPHERD'S HILL FARMS DISCIPLESHIP CAMP
(December 16, 2003) Beth Embry, shepherdshillfarm@alltel.net, corrected our error that appeared in our Seen ‘N Heard section of the December 2003 issue of Woodbury Reports, NL # 112. The Shepherd's Hill Farm Discipleship Camp was incorrectly listed as a Discipline Camp. “I just wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea from the word "discipline",” she pointed out.

HIDDEN LAKE ACADEMY WILL REQUIRE FORMAL TESTING BY STAFF
(December 17, 2003) Brian Church, Director of Admissions, Hidden Lake Academy, Dahlonega, Georgia, 800-394-0640, www.hiddenlakeacademy.com, announced they have raised their tuition by one hundred dollars per month starting with their next peer group. Also with that peer group they will require formal testing to be carried out by HLA staff, for a fee, “only if there has been no testing done in the past year.” Intelligence, Personality and Achievement Testing will be available, though only the testing that has not been done in last twelve months needs to be performed. This will enable HLA to “increase and enhance” their services, and enable them to “conduct a more longitudinal study focusing on several additional variables.”

KELLY BAWDEN, NEW CLINICAL DIRECTOR AT SUNHAWK ACADEMY
(December 18, 2003) SunHawk Academy, 800-214-3878, www.sunhawkacademy.com, Stacy Bradley, Admissions, announced that Kelly Bawden LSAC, 435-862-7474 (cell), is their new Clinical Director. Their former clinical director, Jade Bringhurst, LCSW, has decided to pursue a M.D. degree, but will remain as a primary therapist.