RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOLS Sasha McLean, LMFT, LPC President of the Association of Recovery Schools Executive Director of Archway Academy
FOR 9 OUT OF 10 PEOPLE, ADDICTION BEGINS IN ADOLESCENCE
JUST SAY NO WAS A SLOGAN THIS IS A REVOLUTION! We must stop trying to incarcerate people out of addiction and begin pulling them into recovery It s imperative that we move from the ACUTE CARE MODEL to the CHRONIC DISEASE MODEL It s critical to understand that a wide CONTIUUM OF CARE is necessary to support LONG TERM RECOVERY We must top treating adolescence like little adults (they have very different needs) It s time to engage the ENTIRE family system in recovery Let s empower people in recovery to be BOLD and share about their recovery publically when appropriate
NATIONAL YOUTH RECOVERY ALLIANCE CONTINUUM OF CARE
EVERY PART OF THE CONTINUUM IS VALUABLE AND NECESSARY All recovery providers need to be working as a team by forming Adolescent Recovery Oriented Systems of Care meetings (AROSC) We need to be marketing the CONTINUUM and not just our individual programs Our collective/collaborative voice will reach further and make a deeper impact We are the people who surround the struggling family with love, compassion, service, treatment, resources, crisis intervention, etc. We are their first glimpse of true fellowship! Family impacted by addiction
DOES SCHOOL PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN ADDICTION AND RECOVERY? 98% of adolescents returning from residential treatment to their old school reported being offered drugs on their first day back (Spear & Skala, 1995). 87% of students in their first 60 days of sobriety report school as being one of the most influential factors in the success OR failure of their recovery (Moberg &Finch, 2007)
STUDENTS WITH SUDS HAVE Greater resistance to school/authority Lower grades More absences Poor reputations with teachers/administrators More mental health symptoms presenting at school Higher drop out rates (SAMHSA 2014)
HOW WE RESPOND IS CRITICAL How struggling teen is treated in traditional schools: What s wrong with you? Sent to alternative school or expelled Punitive detentions Socially isolated We treat them like they treat us Prevailing attitude that teen is a nuisance How struggling teen is treated in recovery schools: What happened? How can I help? Extra support and more time with staff Socially surrounded and reached out to Treat them with love and respect (even when they don t deserve it) Belief that teen is a miracle waiting to happen
RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOLS ARE Secondary schools designed specifically for students in recovery from substance use disorders and co-occurring issues. RHS: Educate students in recovery from substance use disorder or co-occurring disorders Meet state requirements for awarding a secondary school diploma Enroll students who are in recovery and working a program of recovery as determined by the student and the schools Are available to any student in recovery from substance use or co-occurring disorders who meets state or district eligibility requirements for attendance
SERVICES OFFERED IN RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOLS Peer Support Community/Fellowship Service Work Accountability and Consistency Therapeutic support/contracts Small classes Individualized educational plans (traditional and credit recovery) Academic flexibility Sensitivity to knowledge gaps Transitions/Post Secondary Education
NATIONAL MOVEMENT ASSOCIATION OF RECOVERY SCHOOLS Mission The Association of Recovery Schools advocates for the promotion, strengthening, and expansion of secondary and post-secondary programs designed for students and families committed to achieving success in both education and recovery. ARS exists to support such schools which, as components of the recovery continuum of care, enroll students committed to being abstinent from alcohol and other drugs and working a program of recovery. Key Elements Strengths of peer influence Value on community Holistic school programming
ALL ABOUT RECOVERY SCHOOLS First RHS was The Phoenix School in Maryland (Est.1979) ARS founded in 2002 (Higher Ed and Secondary Education) Longest running school is P.E.A.S.E. Academy in Minnesota, 27 years in operation Largest school is Archway Academy in Texas Approximately 1200 students enrolled in a RHS 2015-2016 school year Many different models (public, private, charter, partnership) 38 Recovery High Schools operating in 14 States 18 New School Efforts
A DAY IN THE LIFE
ARCHWAY OUTCOMES 169 students enrolled (open rolling admissions) 83% recovery rate (complete abstinence the entire school year) 92% school attendance 98% of seniors graduated 45 graduates in 2016 94% of graduates attending college Based on 2015-2016 metric data
FOR MORE INFORMATION The Association of Recovery Schools www.recoveryschools.org Archway Academy www.archwayacademy.org Sasha.mclean@archwayacademy.org