Each student and a parent or guardian must sign a contract agreeing to abide by the center's behavior guidelines. In addition to academic coursework, students participate in group counseling that deals with such topics as anger management, conflict resolution, communication and social skills, drugs and alcohol, violence in the media, assertiveness, stress management and self-esteem. We talk about feelings, problems at school and home, problems with peers. The emphasis is on behavior management because a lot of these kids have impulse-control problems. Once enrolled in the program, students are assigned to a class of no more than 10, where teachers work with them individually.
Classes are a mix of all ages.
The center is having a positive effect, Lavid said, although proof of its success is largely anecdotal. The School of Social Work will analyze program results over the summer. But actions speak louder than words, or statistical analyses. Students don't want to leave the program after their 10 days are over. The center offers a comfortable environment where they receive individual attention and learn coping techniques, according to Cumberlander.