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In Balance Ranch Academy Frequently Asked
Questions
Below are answers to some frequently
asked questions by parents. Please call Betsy Barrasso, our Admissions
Coordinator,
at 520-722-9631 with any questions you may have.
What makes In Balance
Ranch Academy program unique?
What about the staff?
What are the qualifications of the staff?
What is the student to staff ratio?
What does the program include to help my son seek and maintain sobriety
from alcohol/drugs?
What else should I know about the In Balance program?
Is the In Balance program based on the 12 Step principles of Alcoholics
Anonymous?
Is the academic program accredited and can
my son gain course credit toward graduation?
How are behavioral issues and problems addressed?
How often do parents receive updates on the child's progress?
May
I speak with parents of present and/or graduated students of In
Balance Ranch Academy?
What is the cost of the program and is this all-inclusive?
What is the minimum length of stay?
How are parents involved in the program?
What are the program guidelines related to the internet, phone
calls, visits, mail, e-mail correspondence and money?
What makes In Balance Ranch Academy program
unique?
The program focuses on a comprehensive recovery
from substance abuse with a strong 12-step foundation, a powerful
and individualized academic program that meets the learning and educational
needs of each student, and dynamic, engaging equine, wilderness and
personal growth programs.
Recovery is the first step in everything we do; sobriety is
the cornerstone upon which we build our lives and ultimately reach
our personal potential. This is the first of the
7 Guiding Principles of the In Balance Program,
and we believe that once the negative and self-destructive effects
of alcohol and/or substance abuse have been addressed, a more positive
and fulfilling lifestyle may be learned and attained.
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What about the In Balance staff?
In Balance Ranch Academy has brought together the best, most dedicated
professionals in their fields. The core of the program is the leadership
and vision of Patrick Barrasso, LCSW. He is creating and directing
a program that is dedicated to the mission of helping young men
and their families. Lynda Hendricks, Academic Director, has created
an engaging, inspirational, and individualized program of instruction
that challenges students to achieve to their fullest potential.
Shannon Dexter, LCSW, LISAC, Clinical Director, coordinates the
therapy team and bridges the treatment services with the goal of
helping our young men break through denial and blind spots, gain
insights, attain recovery from substance abuse and make emotional
and interpersonal growth.
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What are the qualifications of the In Balance
staff?
All of our therapists have Master's Degrees. In Balance Ranch Academy therapists have years
of experience working with adolescents who have chemical dependency problems.
For more information on our staff, please take a moment to
meet our staff.
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What is the student to staff ratio?
A maximum of 10 students to each staff member.
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What does the program include to help my son seek
and maintain sobriety from alcohol/drugs?
Our primary guiding principle is the recovery and continued success of each young
man. We are committed to providing high-quality services for students and families.
Our research and experience working with young men has shown that the rate of
successful recovery will be enhanced by participating in the following therapeutic
programs, which are all included in our monthly tuition:
- Individual, group and family therapy
- Community-based
AA meetings (at appropriate level)
- Bi-weekly Family Therapy
- Wilderness Experiential Therapy
- Equine Assisted Learning
and Therapy
- Individualized Academic Education
- Challenge Course
and Adventure Therapies
- Work Ethics - Chores, Personal Responsibilities
- Exercise
and Nutrition - Cooking Skills
- Special Projects - Academic and Recovery-Based
- Follow-up
Sessions After Discharge
- Service to others
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Whe else you should know about the In
Balance Program?
The In Balance Intensive Outpatient
Program has been working with adolescents and their families for 10 years prior
to the opening of In Balance Ranch Academy. The In Balance program and staff
have successfully served over 500 families since that time. The Ranch Academy
is a natural extension of the stellar help and services that Patrick Barrasso,
LCSW, and his dedicated staff have provided for that last 10 years. (Read
what others have said about the In Balance Program.)
The In Balance
Ranch Academy incorporates all the successful components of the In Balance
Intensive Outpatient Program and has expanded to an even more intensive
model incorporating the best in research-based recovery practices and staff.
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Is the In Balance program based on the 12 Step principles
of Alcoholics Anonymous?
The principles of the 12 Steps are represented in almost every aspect
of our program, as well as a daily focus on 12 Step groups, recovery
meetings, and application of the 12 Step principles. We use a combination
of the 12 Step model and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies in our
treatment approach. Current research validates this approach as being
most effective with adolescents and provides for the most successful
long-term recovery from chemical dependency.
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Is the academic program accredited and
can my son gain course credit toward graduation?
The In Balance
Ranch Academy academic program is tailored to meet the individual
needs of our students. Upon enrollment, our Academic
Director, Lynda Hendricks, works with the student and his parents
to develop a detailed educational plan. For some students this
plan may include completing courses started at his home school, taking
a blend of high school and college courses to best challenge his
academic strength, or may involve designing an accelerated program
to help a student make-up missed credits. Our unique blend of self-paced
classroom and environmentally-based courses allows students to
enroll
in our academic program any time of the year. Our experiential
learning and one-to-one tutoring model ensures success for many students
who
have struggled in more traditional school settings.
Our courses
are fully accredited; students may choose to earn a high school
diploma while they are with us, or transfer their earned credits
to another school to complete their educational program. College
courses are also offered for those students who complete their
diploma while at the Ranch. In addition, elective courses in a
variety of
areas are available to enrolled students. These courses may include
culinary arts (a very popular course with our boys), photography,
computer graphic design, web-page design, art, music, etc. These
courses are often developed through the interests of the students;
they are continually encouraged to develop their passions and
talents, many of which are untapped when they are struggling with
chemical
dependency. Our goal is to help each student reach his personal
potential and become a successful student, a life-long learner
and open up
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How are behavioral issues and problems addressed?
The development of personal responsibility, honesty, and integrity
are core values of In Balance Ranch Academy. Students are expected
to work diligently. Students are encouraged to be leaders, and
to help their peers attain the highest program Levels.
The use of
profanity, substances, tobacco and caffeine is prohibited. We
have found, and the research has confirmed, that while they are
in our program is the best time to recover from all mind and mood
altering substances other than prescribed medications. We believe
it is hypocritical to have them recover from alcohol/drugs and
not address dependency on cigarettes and nicotine products which
are
life-threatening compulsions and addictions.
In accordance with the principles of a Positive Peer Culture, natural
consequences for inappropriate behaviors are determined by the
peers and staff members. For example, misuse of student privileges
may
result in the suspension of that privilege for a period of time.
More serious offenses may result in a student losing his earned
Level. Running away, sexual
acting out, physical harm to self or others, verbal threats or
threatening behaviors to property, staff or peers is considered
a serious infraction
that may result in early discharge and/or transfer to another program.
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How often do parents receive updates on our child's
progress?
Therapists update parents once per week via telephone and/or e-mail.
Academic updates are sent every two weeks. We are always available
for phone conferences in between updates as requested by the parents.
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May I speak with parents of present and/or graduated
students of In Balance Ranch Academy?
Yes. We strongly encourage parents to talk with the parents of our
students before enrolling their son. The decision to enroll your
son in our program is a difficult decision. We have found it invaluable
to have parents talk directly with parents who have boys in the program
or who have graduated the program. Please call our Director of Admissions,
Betsy Barrasso, at (520) 722-9631 for parent contact information.
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What is the cost of the program and is this all-inclusive?
Our tuition is $7,500 per month, which you will find is a very competitive
price for the quality of our program. Our tuition is all-inclusive.
Our program tuition includes the equine program and riding lessons,
wilderness excursion trips, therapeutic and academic services,
family weekends and hygiene products. The only additional cost is
for special medical treatment and additional academic tutoring services
provided outside of the regular school day or transportation into Tucson.
We require a one-time
gear fee of $1850 per student. All wilderness equipment, boots,
tent and a sleeping bag will be purchased for your son's
use. Also included in this fee are purchases of equine equipment, bedding, and first course of schoolbooks. Upon admission, the first and last month's tuition and the
gear fee will be due. Your tuition payments thereafter will be monthly,
starting
with the second month of attendance.
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What is the minimum length of stay?
Our primary goal and guiding principle is the student's successful recovery and
reintegration back to his home and community. For this reason, we require a 12-14 month minimum stay. According to the current research in the field of
adolescent
recovery, this is the minimum time necessary to give your son the best chance
of sustained recovery from chemical dependency. Some students may decide to stay
as long as 18 months depending on the severity and complexity of their treatment issues.
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How are parents involved in the program?
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend Al-Anon meetings. We
have found that students do better more quickly if parents
are involved in Al-Anon because it
assists with the recovery process. Parents are required to participate in
Family Weekends and read several books on recovery and the family.
We also suggest
that families attend family counseling sessions in their hometowns
at least twice
a month. Families will have bi-weekly sessions with their son via the telephone
or in person if possible. The importance of healing the family is a primary
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What are the program guidelines related to
the internet, phone calls, visits, mail, e-mail correspondences
and money?
Internet - Students use the Internet to conduct
research for educational purposes only and with one-to-one supervision.
Phone calls - Students
at the appropriate level are allowed weekly phone calls to parents
and/or other family members. Students at higher
levels may also be permitted to have phone calls with approved
peers.
Visits - Visits are scheduled by the student's primary
therapist. Frequency and duration of on-site visits depends on the
therapeutic
progress of the individual student. Your son's therapist will
discuss and arrange visits so they optimize his progress and successful
return home.
Mail - Students are encouraged to write letters to
family members and friends as outlined in our Level System. Since
space is limited
and we want to minimize differences among students, we ask
that you not send packages to your son, unless the gift is for a
birthday
or holiday. Any food items sent will be shared with the entire
student
community. Your full support and encouragement are the best
gifts you can give your son.
E-mail correspondence - E-mail correspondence
should be sent directly to your son's primary therapist. E-mail
addresses for the staff
are listed in the staff contact information page in the In
Balance Parent
Manual.
Money - Since your tuition is all inclusive, your
son will not need any spending money while at the Ranch, and there
is no reason
for
them to ask you for money.
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