What to Expect When Placing Your Child

OUR PLACEMENTS BEGIN with a telephone call or personal meeting. We exchange information and ask you to share your history and current situation with RCER staff. We answer questions regarding our credentials and provide specific information regarding our firm. We know that more than one telephone call or meeting may be required to assure our roles and responsibilities are clear and all parties are ready to move forward. Once our contract and release forms are signed and fees are received, RCER immediately begins to work with you on a plan for your child.

FORMAL INFORMATION GATHERING begins with our first contact.  You will be asked to complete a Client History Questionnaire.  In addition, we ask for formal releases that allow us to gather information from others who may be helpful in building a profile of your child and his/her learning, behavioral, and emotional needs.  We often consult with individual and family therapists, psychiatrists and teachers who know your child and family.  You will also be asked to provide RCER with past testing, current grade reports, IEPs and transcripts.

Up-to-date testing is essential to the success of any placement. We review all previous testing; however, if testing is more than two years old, we may request current testing.  This is an additional investment of time and money, but often makes a critical difference in finding the best match of student to program.

WILDERNESS PROGRAMS PRIOR TO SCHOOL PLACEMENT – From years of professional experience, RCER staff know that students who first complete a sound therapeutic wilderness program are more successful in entering and completing a therapeutic school environment.  Therefore, nearly 100% of our parents are asked to consider this option.  In fact, we feel so strongly about this progression, our fees include an appropriate wilderness experience placement.  We monitor your child throughout wilderness and concurrently search for the right school or program.

CONTACTING PROGRAMS/SCHOOLS – Before your child goes to wilderness, RCER writes a comprehensive Client Summary that is sent to admissions’ staff for review.  They will carefully review your child’s history and assess their potential for success at their program.  The Client Summary is also sent to boarding schools, along with testing, grade reports and transcripts to complete the admissions packet.  Our job is to collate all information and keep you informed as the process proceeds.  As you narrow your choices, you may want to visit schools.  Whenever possible, RCER encourages school visits prior to making the final placement decision.

WILDERNESS TO SCHOOL – Our school search begins immediately upon wilderness placement and you will begin your investigation 2-3 weeks into your child’s wilderness experience.  Your child’s therapist will share this plan at the appropriate time.  Throughout wilderness, RCER maintains regular contact with your child’s therapist regarding treatment progress and date of graduation. Once the graduation date and subsequent school placement are determined, most students travel directly from their wilderness program to their school placement.  Parents can take their students or, if recommended, they can be escorted.  RCER facilitates continuity of care by working directly with the wilderness therapist to make sure your child is well prepared for their school placement.

PLACEMENT – Once you make a final placement decision, RCER staff helps expedite the program application.  We also provide information regarding educational loans and escort services, if deemed necessary.  Once your child is placed our Family Services Coordinator will monitor the placement and remain in contact with you and the school until graduation.  We will also work with you on a transition plan back home.

COMING HOME – Since RCER staff has monitored your student’s progress throughout placement, we are well aware of pending graduations and the need for families to plan for homecoming.  This is more often than not an anxious time for student and family.  Several months prior to graduation, we recommend that you begin discussing a transition plan with RCER staff.  Although your formal contract with RCER ends with graduation, we offer transition program options to help you learn to live together as a family again.