National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs

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The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) is a United States trade organization of therapeutic schools, residential treatment programs, wilderness programs, outdoor therapeutic programs, young adult programs, and home-based residential programs for adolescents and young adults with emotional and behavioral difficulties. It was formed in January 1999 by the founders of six programs within the "troubled teen industry," and its board of directors consists of program owners and educational consultants. [1] As of 2021, all but one of those founding six programs have been shut down in the ensuing years for a variety of reasons, including child abuse, neglect, licensing violations, and successful class action lawsuits. [2]

Contents

NATSAP is not an accrediting or licensing body. In order to be members, schools and programs are required to be in full compliance with NATSAP's published Ethical Principles and Principles of Good Practice. However, in United States House Committee on Education and Labor hearings in October 2007, NATSAP Director and Spring Ridge Academy owner Jan Moss Courtney stated that the organization had no process for checking up on this compliance, nor correcting any programs that stray from these guidelines. [3] [4]

The organization publishes a professional journal, the Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, conducts conferences and workshops, and publishes a directory of its members. [5]

Notable schools and programs

News articles

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. ↑ "History of Natsap". Archived from the original on 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  2. ↑ "Zotero | Your personal research assistant". www.zotero.org. Archived from the original on 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  3. ↑ ""Cases of Child Neglect and Abuse at Private Residential Treatment Facilities" | Hearings | Committee on Education and Labor". Archived from the original on 2009-06-25. Retrieved 2009-06-26.
  4. ↑ "Written Testimony for The United States House Committee on Education and Labor" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-05. Retrieved 2009-06-26.
  5. ↑ NATSAP. "Membership Directory". natsap.org. Archived from the original on 23 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "DESPERATE MEASURES -- A special report.; Embattled Parents Seek Help, at Any Cost (Published 2001)". 2001-09-10. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  7. ↑ Rensin, Emmett (2016-07-07). "Vox First Person: I went into the woods a teenage drug addict and came out sober. Was it worth it?". Vox. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  8. ↑ "Troubled US teens left traumatised by tough love camps". BBC News. 2021-06-18. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  9. ↑ Waldman, Annie (2015-12-15). "Kids Get Hurt at Residential Schools While States Look On". ProPublica. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  10. ↑ "A Business Built on the Troubles of Teenagers (Published 2005)". 2005-08-17. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  11. ↑ Meier, Michael Janofsky With Barry (1999-12-11). "Deep in the Wilderness, a Growth Industry Is Blooming". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-08-10.
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