Our Ethical Standards

Prioritize Safety: Programs must ensure the safety and well-being of our students through strict adherence to safety protocols and regulations.  Safety is our number one priority.  All prospective staff and volunteers must pass thorough background checks before being allowed in proximity to students.  All medical situations that put the student in danger must be immediately brought to a qualified medical professional. Staff must be  trained in overall safety and also safe restraint procedures.

Transparency and Accountability: Programs must be clear and transparent about billing, operational practices, treatment methods, educational certifications, and staff qualifications, and employee background checks. They must prioritize transparency and accountability.

Open Communications: Programs should foster open communication between staff, students, and their families to build trust and address concerns effectively. They must also understand that students should have a voice in their care.

Individualized Treatment/Educational Plans: Programs should develop individualized treatment and educational plans for each student, tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of each participant, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

Qualified Staff: Institutions should employ qualified and trained staff members who possess the necessary skills, credentials, and experience to provide excellent care and support.

Ethical Practices: They should uphold high ethical standards and integrity in all aspects of operation, treatment practices, billing procedures, expulsion procedures, student discipline, and interactions with staff and other students.

Trauma-Informed or Similar Care Focus: They should implement trauma-informed care principles to address underlying trauma and support participants in their healing journey.

Monitoring and Oversight: Each program should have rigorous monitoring and oversight mechanisms to promptly detect, address, and report any instances of abuse, neglect, or misconduct.  Students must have a way to anonymously report safety and abuse issues.

Family Involvement: Families should be involved in the treatment process and provided with the necessary reports, support, education, and resources to facilitate healing and recovery, including tools and training to make the transition home for the student a positive experience.

Health and Wellbeing: Students receive nutritious and enjoyable meals, breaks, ample rest, as well as abundant exercise, and outdoor time.  Basic necessities such as this must never be withheld as a consequence for bad behavior.  

Regular Assessments: Programs should conduct regular assessments and evaluations to track each student’s progress in regard to treatment, behavior, and education, and adjust plans as needed.  Such assessments must be made available to both the student and the family.

Empowerment and Empathy: The program should foster a culture of empowerment, respect, and empathy toward students, allowing them to voice their concerns and participate in decision-making as much as possible. 

Positive Reinforcement:  They should emphasize positive reinforcement and strengths-based approaches to motivate participants and promote desirable behaviors.  Positive reinforcement is the gold standard, while handing down consequences and negative reinforcement for broken rules and boundaries should be the exception.

Staff Accountability: Staff must be held accountable for their actions and behavior, implementing clear policies and procedures for addressing misconduct and enforcing consequences.  Students should be freely able to report inappropriate actions of staff.

Continuity of Care: The program should ensure continuity of care by facilitating smooth transitions between phases, as well as seamless discharge and aftercare planning and implementation.

Peer Support: The program should facilitate peer support networks and group therapy sessions to encourage students to connect, share experiences, and provide mutual support.  Students should not be prevented from talking to their peers, when in an appropriate setting.

Education and Skill-Building: The program should provide students with age and advancement appropriate opportunities for education, skill-building, and personal development to enhance their self-esteem and future prospects.

Balanced Approach: Programs should adopt a balanced approach to treatment and care that addresses each student’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs, promoting overall well-being.

Community Integration: Community integration and social inclusion should be encouraged by facilitating students’ engagement in meaningful activities, group events, volunteer work, and recreational opportunities.

Continuous Improvement: Programs should measure outcomes and commit to continuous improvement through ongoing staff education, and feedback from students, families, and staff, and using this input to implement positive changes and enhancements.

Right to Nourishment:  All students are provided balanced and nutritious meals daily. This diet, which is vital for their health and well-being, is a fundamental part of the program and is consistently provided to all students, regardless of their behavior. It should be their policy that this complete nutritional regimen is never used as a bargaining tool or denied as a punitive measure. If they do recognize and encourage positive behavior with occasional special treats, the regular, wholesome meals and adequate hydration they provide should be steadfast for every student in their care.

Right to Rest and Sleep:  Students have the right to sufficient daily rest, which is crucial for their physical health, mental well-being, and academic performance. The program must ensure a structured environment that promotes regular rest and sleep patterns, providing a foundation for students to thrive in their educational pursuits, emotional health, and personal growth. Rest must never be denied, interrupted, or reduced as a means of disciplining or correcting students.

Right to Communicate: Respectful and safe verbal interactions between students and staff should be a cornerstone of their ethos. Students have the right to communicate with other students (on campus) or staff, except when verbal interruptions or outbursts are inappropriate (for instance, while in a classroom, library, study time, special training, or in group events). Staff members may monitor such contacts to ensure they are not bullying, threatening, intimidating, abusive, predatory, or generally disrespectful. Each student shall be taught how to appropriately communicate with, listen to, and respect others.

Right to Peace and Respect:  All students and staff shall interact in ways that are respectful of each other, and non-threatening. Staff members may not use threats of physical punishment, isolation, verbal intimidation, ridicule, shaming, shunning, or other forms of verbal humiliation to discipline or correct students.

Right to Have One’s Possessions: Students have the right to keep personal items consistent with their growth and therapeutic needs, within the bounds of institution’s safety rules and allowed limits. Decisions on whether to allow or confiscate personal items will apply equally to all, without bias towards any individual or their progress or conduct.

Right to Privacy: Students are entitled to privacy, including personal space and storage, with the understanding that staff may oversee activities and communications to maintain safety and program integrity. Inspections of living areas and belongings, especially upon return to campus, can be conducted to prevent prohibited items from compromising student safety.

Right to Freedom of Movement: Students are entitled to age- and maturity-appropriate activities, with regular scheduling of healthy physical exercise. The use of seclusion or restraints is strictly prohibited, except as a temporary measure under close supervision when a student poses an immediate risk to others.

Right to Be Given Meaningful Responsibilities: Students will be assigned tasks and responsibilities as part of their life skills education that is meant to build a work ethic and self-esteem. Vocational training opportunities may also be available for those interested.

Right to See Student Updates and Make Modifications: Students will have access to review and suggest modifications to any negative remarks recorded in their personal files, ensuring alignment with ongoing treatment and goal setting.  Any such modifications from a student will be marked as such.

Right to Basic Clothing Necessities: Students are entitled to suitable attire that reflects personal modesty and is appropriate for their age and program level. Staff and parents must collaborate to fulfill each student’s essential clothing requirements, ensuring proper attire for all weather conditions.

Right to the Natural Elements: Students have the right to daily exposure to natural elements such as fresh air, light, and outdoor exercise (as appropriate). Healthy outdoor activities should be a routine part of every student’s experience.

Right to One’s Bed: Students have the right to a personal bed in a room that may be shared with other students and monitored by staff (for everyone’s safety). 

Right to Family Visits: Students may visit their family or guardians at home or our facility, requested in advance and planned. A staff member may monitor some or all such visits in our facility to ensure the interaction from all individuals is in keeping with the treatment plan for the student.  Upon returning from visits, staff may conduct a thorough check to verify that the student has not inadvertently come into possession of any prohibited or unsafe items. This process must be conducted with the utmost respect for the student’s privacy and dignity; and never involve strip searches.

Right to Lodge a Complaint or Appeal: Students, parents, or legal guardians shall be permitted to raise concerns or complaints, initially addressing them to the program’s administration. Should the initial response be unsatisfactory, they have the right to escalate their appeal to the program’s owners or the Board of Directors.

Right to Medical Care: Every medical situation is treated with the highest level of attention and diligence. Staff members are trained to identify health concerns and should be required to promptly obtain professional medical assistance whenever a situation is assessed as needing such attention. This ensures that all students receive timely and appropriate care for their health and well-being.

Right to Transcripts: Students are entitled to obtain a comprehensive record of their academic achievements during their tenure at the school. This transcript should reflect courses taken; grades earned. The program is committed to maintaining transparency in the evaluation process and ensuring that full access is given to these educational records for future academic or professional pursuits.  If the program says that its transcripts will be accepted by the child’s home school or a college, they must make sure that this is the case, without exception.

Right to Leave the Program (with parental approval):  Students, with parental or guardian agreement, may withdraw from the program, provided they give timely notice as specified by the school’s policies. During this period, the program will facilitate the transition, including document preparation; however, pre-paid fees may be forfeited according to the school’s financial policies. The staff must ensure a smooth withdrawal, prioritizing the student’s educational and therapeutic continuity.

Right and Method to Report Abuse: Students are assured the right to report any instance of perceived abuse within the program confidently and safely. The school’s policy safeguards the student from any form of retaliation or negative consequences as a result of such a report. This process is designed to ensure that all concerns are addressed promptly and thoroughly while maintaining the student’s welfare and anonymity if desired. The institution must be committed to creating a transparent environment where the well-being of students is paramount, and any reported misconduct must be investigated with due diligence.  As required by law, any report of abuse must be reported to the local or state authorities.

Educational Rights: Students are entitled to receive a comprehensive and age-appropriate education that is in harmony with their academic level and personal development. The school must be dedicated to providing a curriculum that meets each student’s unique educational needs, fostering an environment where intellectual growth and learning flourish. This commitment ensures that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for their future academic and life successes.

Again, please note that we have NO CONTOL over the programs we might mention, so we can accept no responsibility for their actions or inaction.