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Horizon Family Solutions, LLC
December 2007
Greetings!

The holiday season -- whether it is Christmas, Chanukah or Ramadan -- is a time for joy and good will.

During the past year, many of you have referred new clients to us. Please know that this is the highest compliment we can receive. We are committed to maintaining your confidence!

As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call. Thank you for your continued support.

We wish you Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year!

Sincerely,

Dore E. Frances, M.A.
HORIZON FAMILY SOLUTIONS, LLC
www.guidingteens.com
www.troubledteenhelp.com

Holiday Schedule

Just a reminder -- Our offices will close at noon on Saturday December 22nd and will be closed until Wednesday December 26th. We will also be closed at noon on Monday, December 31st and will return on Wednesday January 2nd.

If you have a crisis or an emergency, please do call us at (541) 312-4422.


8 CHALLENGING PERSONALITIES - Part Two - The Clown

Every parent, every program, every counselor, every friend, every teacher knows or has at least one - a bully, a clown, a Dear Abby, a golden child, a gossip, a phantom, a whiner, and an emotional train wreck.

Class clowns 1207 The Clown

Behavior and its impact:

Clowns are funny and quite likeable, however their humor isn't the point - getting attention is the goal.

Their very public "on stage" behavior offers them the most "bang for the buck," and that makes Clowns very disruptive. 

That is why they so often drain us of energy. Clowns have a knack for drawing us into power struggles that are hard to win.

Clowns generally feel they don't get a lot of attention from adults or their peer group in general, so they steal attention that they feel is not being offered. Sometimes others laugh at what Clowns do, and that gives them the sense that they are admired, thought it is typically short-lived. Their goofy behavior gives Clowns a false sense of influence. When they can get others to laugh - even for a moment - they can own the spotlight.  They hunger for this kind of bottle-rocket impact in their loves, and believe they cannot produce it any other way.

How the behavior is typically reinforced: Often we give undue attention to Clowns, discipline them in shaming ways, or make their behavior a part of their daily culture.

Many kids who play the Clown don't feel they have much else to offer - they settle for style, not substance.

True story example: Liz was the camp clown - disruptive, mocking, and goofy.  Somewhere along the line I heard that Liz liked to write, so I asked her if she would be the editor of the camp newspaper. After I gave her a legitimate place to belong, Liz began to drop the circus act.

What clowns need: Set good boundaries with these kids and give them avenues for legitimate relationships and impact.

Educational Consulting Services and Support


The problem of sexual acting out among children and adolescents

Teen sexual behavior 1207 

Being a kid today is not easy.

Kids are exposed to a constant stream of images in the media that exploit youth's developmentally normal strivings for independence and belonging by linking these desires with being sexually attractive and sexually active (and of course by selling products that make youth feel more attractive).

The Internet is everywhere and even sophisticated filters can't entirely prevent kids from accessing hard-core pornography.

Families struggle to balance the demands of work with the need to provide support and supervision for their children.

It's not surprising we are seeing more pre-teens and teens who show signs of sexual confusion: inappropriate masturbation, sexual activity with younger children; etc.

Generally, these are children who act older than their age in a sexual sense but lag behind in other important areas of psychological/interpersonal development.
A variety of biological, social, psychological and environmental factors appear to contribute to sexually abusive behavior.

What is the difference between normal experimentation and a "real" problem?

Looking at "who", "what", "how often"; "where" and "why" will give you clues to the difference. Experimentation can be generally defined as trying something new out of curiosity or lack of knowledge, without malicious intent and without have a specific goal to achieve gratification. Once a youth knows what to expect (physical sensation) and continues to repeatedly seek that with the same or multiple children, that's a "red flag" that there may be a problem.

"Who" - with whom did the "experimentation" occur? age difference? male or female? The greater the age difference, the greater the concern warranted. Involvement with more than one individual and/or both genders should raise the concern level.

"What" was the behavior? Is it something that would seem to fit with normal curiosity of a child that age, or does it seem to suggest an unusually advanced knowledge of sexual behaviors?

"How often" - have there been a number of instances of the behavior or does there appear to be a pattern? Does there appear to be a degree of compulsivity or preoccupation?

"Where" did the behavior occur? Sexual behavior that occurs in public areas such as parks or public pools, etc. are another cause for increased concern.

Was any force or threat of force used? Were any threats or rewards used to try to keep the other individual from telling?

Threats, force or use of any type of a weapon requires immediate intervention. Secrecy - for example: Touching a young child in an inappropriate manner and then denying that they ever did it after they were caught.

Intrusiveness - peeping; flashing; masturbating in the open; stealing items such as underwear.

Horizon Family Solutions reviews each request for our services in order to determine if the programs we recommend can appropriately meet the needs of the youth being referred for placement. It is important to know that no single treatment approach is appropriate for all individuals.

Finding the right treatment program involves careful consideration of such things as the setting, length of care, philosophical approach and your child's needs. There are many misconceptions about sexual offenses, sexual offense victims, and sex offenders in our society. Much has been learned about these behaviors and populations in the past decade and this information is being used to develop more effective criminal justice interventions throughout the country.

Sexual assaults committed by youth are a growing concern in this country. While many adolescents who commit sexual offenses have histories of being abused, the majority of these youth do not become adult sex offenders (Becker and Murphy, 1998).

Research suggests that the age of onset and number of incidents of abuse, the period of time elapsing between the abuse and its first report, perceptions of how the family responded to the disclosure of abuse, and exposure to domestic violence all are relevant to why some sexually abused youths go on to sexually perpetrate while others do not (Hunter and Figueredo, in press). Treatment programs can contribute to community safety because those who attend and cooperate with program conditions are less likely to re-offend than those who reject intervention.

The majority of sex offender treatment programs in the United States now use a combination of cognitive-behavioral treatment and relapse prevention (designed to help sex offenders maintain behavioral changes by anticipating and coping with the problem of relapse).

Offense specific treatment modalities generally involve group and/or individual therapy focused on victimization awareness and empathy training, cognitive restructuring, learning about the sexual abuse cycle, relapse prevention planning, anger management and assertiveness training, social and interpersonal skills development, and changing deviant sexual arousal patterns. Several studies present optimistic conclusions about the effectiveness of treatment programs that are empirically based, offense-specific, and comprehensive (Lieb, Quinsey, and Berliner, 1998).

Sex offenders who fail to complete treatment programs are at increased risk for both sexual and general recidivism (Hanson and Bussiere, 1998).

Characteristics Of Juvenile Sex Offenders:

  • 20-50% have histories of physical abuse
  • 30-60% exhibit learning disabilities and academic dysfunction
  • 40-80% have histories of sexual abuse
  • Many have difficulties with impulse control and judgment
  • Juvenile sex offenders are typically between the ages of 13 and 17
  • They are generally male
  • Up to 80% have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder

For additional information regarding Sexual Offender Treatment and the services we provide, please contact Horizon Family Solutions by calling toll free 866-833-6911 or visit our website at www.guidingteens.com.

We have experience assisting attorneys, counselors, doctors, health care providers, probation officers and therapists with their clients.
When Schools Have Children Arrested for School-Related Behavior Problems

by Pete Wright, Esq.
Wrightslaw 1207

Question
: "Schools are having children with disabilities arrested for behaviors related to their disabilities. An outburst of any kind - a child who throws down a pencil during testing, or a child with autism who pushes another child who is pushing and shoving - is met with handcuffs and juvenile detention.

"Once the child is arrested, the school claims the situation is out of their hands - there is nothing they can do. What can we do to stop this practice?"

Pete Answers: This practice is not new.

Schools were having children arrested for behavior related to their disabilities long before before Public Law 94-142 was enacted in 1975.

I am fortunate because I worked in the juvenile justice system for 10 years before going to law school. I knew that juvenile court Judges and juvenile probation staff were frustrated with schools, especially with special education.

Schools are always looking for ways to exclude kids who are more difficult to educate and use juvenile courts as a way to accomplish this. Because I worked in juvenile justice, when I was licensed to practice law in 1978, I was often appointed to represent children in juvenile court.

Use the Power of the Juvenile Court

When a child with a disability is arrested for school-related behavior, this is an excellent opportunity to use the power of the juvenile court to force the school district to implement a good plan for the child - and have the Court monitor the school's progress.

Junk IEPs
In most cases, the child's IEP is junk - it is inadequate and needs to be completely revised to address this child's needs. If the IEP is not based on current data and does not include present levels of academic achievement and functional performance, the child needs to be reevaluated.

You want current information on the child's academic skills, especially reading.

If the child's academic skills are significantly behind the child's peer group, you would expect the child to be frustrated at school - and to develop behavior problems.

What has the school done to address these issues? (In most cases, the answer is "nothing")

Did the IEP Team Consider "Special Factors"?

The law requires the IEP team to consider "special factors," including behavior that impedes the child's learning or the learning of other children, when they develop a child's IEP. Did the school complete a functional behavioral assessment on the child? Did the IEP team develop a behavior intervention plan? Did the IEP team develop positive behavioral interventions and strategies to address the behavior? Did school personnel actually implement these positive behavioral interventions and strategies?

Did the school revise the child's IEP and behavior plan to address the behavior that led the school staff to have the child arrested? Did the school train the child's teachers to use positive behavior interventions, as required by law?

To learn more about IEPs for children with behavior problems, read I
DEA 2004: What You Need to Know About IEPs for Children with Behavior Problems.

Educate the Probation Officer

In most cases, Juvenile Probation Officers are valuable allies. When one of my kids was arrested, I would educate the Probation Officer about the child's disability, what the child needed, and what would happen if the child did not receive the necessary services.

Subpoena the Special Ed Director

After a child is arrested, there will be an adjudicatory hearing (finding of fact, determination of guilt or innocence) or (depending on the Judge, Probation Officer, or facts of case) a dispositional hearing (figuring out what to do once Court determined it had jurisdiction. I would subpoena the special education director to testify at the hearing.

When I put the special ed director on the stand, like any other witness, she was nervous and scared. I got permission from the Judge to label the special ed director as a "hostile witness" so I could use cross examination, rather than direct examination. With cross, I was able to chew and chew and get lots of admissions that I could use at that time -- and later, in a due process hearing, if necessary. (I always had a court reporter transcribing the hearing.) After I did this to a special ed director for the first time, I was in a due process hearing with her a few weeks later.

During a recess, she said she had never been so scared in her life. I never had to do this with that school district again. At that point, I realized what a great weapon this was for the kids I represented.

I followed the same approach in the other jurisdictions. It worked like a charm.

Ask the Judge to Monitor the School's Progress

At the end of the Hearing, the Judge entered Orders directing school to do x, y, and z. Another hearing was scheduled in three months to see what had happened and ensure that the school followed these Orders. In most cases, when the return date rolled around, things were in good shape.

The school district rolled out the red carpet for the child because they were afraid of going back to Court and answering to the Judge. Sometimes the case would be dismissed at that point. In other cases, I would ask for another review hearing three, four or six months later.

The fact that the Court was still monitoring the child's situation helped to ensure that the school continued to do what they were supposed to do.

Case Dismissed

When a youngster came to me with trumped up school/criminal charges, I sent my standard representation letter to the special ed director, and requested the entire file. After the special ed director received my letter, he or she often forced the principal (or whoever had filed the juvenile court complaint) to contact the court and get the case dismissed, with no appearances by anyone.

Juvenile Court Staff as Your Allies

The Juvenile Court Judge and juvenile court staff can be great allies in these cases. I often received a call from one of the clerks of court, telling me that Juvenile Court Judge Jones had appointed me to represent a youngster -- and (by the way) the Judge thinks you might need to get the school district involved in the case. The Judge would like to hear from them, on the witness stand.

Nothing further needed to be said. I knew what my charge was from the Judge.

Bottom line: When you are fed a sour lemon, think about how you can turn it into lemonade, so it leads to positive changes for the kid.

Dealing with Arrogant School Officials

In my experience, people who work in affluent school districts are far more difficult to deal with that people who work in inner city or rural school districts. As Pam says, people who work in affluent districts are subject to "organizational narcissism."

School personnel in affluent districts tend to view themselves as superior to people who work in less affluent districts. This belief is often manifested as arrogance. Most Judges do not share their beliefs.

Educational Consulting, School Placement, and Advocacy in Oregon and Nationwide

What is a School Psychologist?

A School Psychologist (SP) is a trained Psychologist who specializes in working with pre- and school-age children, adolescents, teachers and families. They work with all school personnel to help make education for
students a positive and rewarding experience.

A SP administers and interprets intelligence tests; achievement tests, and completes social-emotional assessments on children ages' birth to 21.

In addition, SP are primarily responsible in assisting schools in making educational diagnosis' of Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism, Leaning Disabilities, Cognitive Deficits, Developmental Delays, Multiple Disabilities, and Behaviorally Disordered, etc., as mandated by federal law. Moreover, a SP is trained in individual and group counseling as well as crisis intervention.

A SP utilizes training to assist children in developing the capacity to be a capable, productive citizen who exceeds all expectations held for him or her by others.

A SP is highly trained in a variety of assessment techniques.

This includes the assessment of intelligence, achievement, personality, social skills, behavior, and learning styles.

In addition, a large portion of their time is spent assisting schools determining eligibility for special education services.

A SP is also trained in the area of consultation. This includes having knowledge of behavioral modification and classroom management techniques.

They spend a considerable amount of time giving alternatives to school personnel (teachers, parents, administrators) in regards to students learning, behavior, and child development.

In addition, a SP is often a liaison between mental health, community services, and parents.

Intervention and prevention is also an important part of a SPs daily responsibility. They often work one-on-one with parents and families to help them solve conflicts involving learning and adjustment.

Social skills training, behavioral modification, counseling (individual and group) and other strategies all work towards preventing learning and behavioral problems within the school setting. Because the majority of SPs are not trained teachers they bring a unique perspective to the field of education.

This perspective enables SPs to bring a different view to schools in research and planning. They can assist in evaluating the effectiveness of academic programs as well as the effectiveness of classroom or school-wide behavior/ learning approaches.

The most common place of employment is within Public or Private Schools. The typical SP in a public/private School has a Ed. S degree or it's equivalent (Master's Degree +30 credits).

The role of school psychologists and educational consultants in assessment is well established through the work of Horizon Family Solutions. While the assessment activities of school psychologists emphasize services to children and youth, usually within a school setting, the assessment activities of educational consultants frequently cover a wider age range. In general, assessment information is used to clarify concerns of clients, to plan programs or interventions and evaluate their effectiveness.

Both school psychologists and educational consultants may be involved in the assessment process with differing emphases and orientations that are complementary to each other. School psychologists often emphasize the use of quantitative approaches to measure ability and academic skills while educational consultants often utilize developmental as well as qualitative approaches to assess personality characteristics, interests, and aptitudes. The two approaches, when combined, can offer a more comprehensive picture of a student than either approach alone.

With the advent of Public Law 94-142 (the Education of All Handicapped Children Act) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), emphasis was placed on a multidisciplinary approach to assessment and placement activities for students referred for possible disabilities.

Multiple sources of information, multiple procedures and multiple settings are required in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of students' needs and abilities.

The basis for such an approach is collaboration among professionals including educational consultants, regular education teachers, special education teachers, administrators, pupil services personnel, and parents.

The increased focus on involving families in prevention and intervention programs offers educational consultants and school psychologists the opportunity to collaborate in a number of ways.

Within the school setting itself, a number of opportunities exist for educational consultants and school psychologists to work together.

The National Association of School Psychologists recognizes that the futures of children are affected by many factors that occur early in life.

Our Process

Talking with Kids about the News


Why is it important to talk with your kids about what they see on the news?

As adults, we depend on "The News" as our primaryTalking to kids 1207 source for information about the world we live in.

Whether it's the local newspaper, nightly TV newscasts, cable news networks, news radio, or Web sites, graphic footage and accounts of the latest happenings in the world are being delivered right into our homes 24 hours a day.

This constant barrage can be overwhelming for adults, and it can be especially confusing and frightening for young children.

Many adults do not realize how many kids actually watch TV news or read the newspaper. In addition, consider the opportunities kids have to be exposed to the news. Maybe you listen to news radio in the morning while you drive the kids to school.

Perhaps you read the newspaper at the breakfast table. Remember, while you're reading an article on page seven, your kids may be staring at the front page headlines. You might watch the evening news while helping your kids with their homework. Or they may be exposed to a "newsflash" during their favorite sit-com. Even if you avoid exposing your kids to the news, they still get the latest news accounts from their peers. 

It's no wonder the news can be enticing to children.

The average news broadcast contains as much violence, sex and action as many of the most popular entertainment shows on TV. But unlike those shows, the news is real. News shows can show or say things that might be too graphic or intense for entertainment programs.

During a past White House scandal for example, the phrase "oral sex" was commonplace throughout the news media on a daily basis.

As a parent, only you can decide what news is appropriate for your children. Used properly, the news can teach children many positive things about the world. Knowledge and understanding of news events can teach kids a sense of belonging and social responsibility.

Most elementary and middle school teachers require kids to follow certain news stories for weekly current events lessons.

Additionally, many literacy programs encourage parents and kids to read the newspaper together to develop language skills and healthy reading habits.

At the same time, the daily news can perpetuate stereotypes, confuse, anger and even frighten children. By talking with our kids early and often about the stories and images they are exposed to by the news and other media, we can help them better understand the world around them.

This communication can be especially valuable when kids are exposed to tough issues like violence, sex, drugs and alcohol, death and divorce.

For more information on talking with your kids about race, diversity and tolerance, visit www.tolerance.org

Horizon Family Solutions Mission Statement
Advertise Your Business - Support Families - Become a Newsletter Sponsor

Horizon Family Solutions monthly email newsletter spans out across the United States, Australia, Canada, England, Mexico, the Netherlands, and the UK currently.

Our goal through sponsorship is to keep the listings inexpensive for businesses so that businesses and organizations - large or small can afford to list which in turn gives parents the most comprehensive information and allows them to make better choices. We are also committed to keeping this newsletter free for families so that all parents have access to it. Your business has the opportunity to show that you are committed to supporting families by giving them a free resource through your sponsorship.

Horizon Family Solutions is dedicated to supporting families in need and encouraging others to reach out. To show you our commitment to giving back, we have chosen to donate 5% of your sponsorship fee to helping families.

Horizon Family Solutions is dedicated to supporting families in need and encouraging others to reach out.

Each year, Horizon Family Solutions will determine where those monies will be donated, (i.e.: after school scholarships for kids, camp scholarships for kids, financial support to local organizations supporting families, etc.).

Your logo will link families directly to your website. We have worked hard to create an organized newsletter that is tasteful, not distracting and easy to navigate. Your business will benefit through continued name recognition with the thousands of families reading the newsletter. All businesses that are listed are listed with information that assists the parents so that they can make good choices for their family.

When you are interested in having your business be a sponsor for HFS Family Solutions News or when you have any questions, please contact Dore Frances at             (541) 312-4422 for more information.


Site Sponsor:

  • Affiliation with a business that supports families. 
  • Your logo will be in the newsletter with links to your website.
  • Promote special events by sending an article or Press Release. 
  • Your business will be profiled in one of our newsletters. 
  • You will have the opportunity to promote special offers at no extra charge.
  • You will also be providing opportunity forAdvertising 1 children. 
  • 5% of your contribution will be used to benefit families. 
  • $45.00 per month with a 4 month minimum.
Information, Insight, and Expertise
Annual Central Oregon (Bend) Gathering of Child / Family Professionals ?

It has been in discussion all year and now is the time to decide. For Independent Educational Consultants, old friends and new acquaintances, programs, schools, transition programs/services, attorneys, counselors, educators, health care woAnnual Dec. 2007rkers, parents, judges, parent coaches, physicians, probation officers, teachers, school counselors, and everyone else that has been a part of this discussion over the last eleven months (and those that haven't but want to be) in what is often called the "struggling teens industry," or those assisting "at risk students" and their families, the discussion has been about an Annual Central Oregon (Bend) Gathering.

Over 50 people have expressed some sort of interest.

Horizon Family Solutions is at the crossroads of wanting to see if this is really something that can benefit all of you as well as many more that you would reach out to in this type of forum. 

The gathering would be hosted in Bend, Oregon.  It has been discussed as having a 2 day conference, one day for those in the industry and one day for those to present to those who need to know about services offered. Parents and attorneys have expressed to me that with the growth of the Internet and all the negative news stories they do not know who to believe.

Not knowing who to believe, counselors and parents are confused as to whose advice they trust. Partially based on conversations I have had with many of you, and also in connecting with educators here locally, this is worth exploring see if the interest is really there. This is an industry that is continually evolving and health care workers have an interest on where to refer parents as well. This is the time to express your interest. It is a big undertaking and would require multiple people to be involved to make this as beneficial as imagined by those of you I have spoken with in the past year.

Please email me at
Dore@dorefrances.com with your interest, and if there are enough of you willing to support this idea, we will go forward.  Otherwise .... thanks for the great conversations this last year and I hope to see you again soon at one of the many other conferences we always seem to meet at!

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF BEND, OREGON
ANNUAL CONTEST!

This one is simple!!

Can you write a monthly theme for our 2008 Family Solutions newsletter?

One specific subject for each of the 12 issues. 

Just think of subjects that parents would like to know more about, write them down and send it our way. 

The best monthly theme for 2008 (must contain one for each month of the year) wins a cash prize of $100 or a beautiful gift basket from Harry & David of the same value.

Rules: Themes must adhere to the nature of this newsletter(family, parents, etc.) and involve one topic per theme per month.

Send your entry to
Dore@Dorefrances.com

It must be sent in the body of an email, with the header "Theme Contest".

One entry per person. 

The very last day to submit your entry is December 6, 2007. 

Contest open to everyone except me, and last year's winner - Jenna Fenwick  - because that just wouldn't be very fair, would it?

So - get writing!

GuidingTeens.com

TroubledTeenhelp.com


Happy Holidays!
 
Dore 0306
Dore E. Frances, M.A.
Educational Consultant
Horizon Family Solutions, LLC
In This Issue
* 8 CHALLENGING PERSONALITIES
* The problem of sexual acting out among children and adolescents
* When Schools Have Children Arrested for School-Related...Behavior Problems
* What is a School Psychologist?.
* Talking with Kids about the News
* Advertise Your Business - Support Families
* Annual Central Oregon (Bend) Gathering ?
American Bar Association Online Media Kit - Youth At Risk

OFI - Oregon Family Institute - Developing programs for families and courts
Quick Links
Our Sponsors
Academy at Canyon Creek 0506 2
Academy at Canyon Creek represents proven leadership and an innovative approach to learning and treatment for youth and families dealing with a variety of behavioral problems.
Parents Resource Guide 2007
Parent's Resource Guide - Parent's Resource Guide is the only parenting reference book of its kind in the Phoenix area directly targeted to address the needs of parents and caregivers of children from childcare, preschools, charter and private schools, special needs, enrichment, entertainment, youth sports, and much, much more.
Bend Learning Center 0907
Bend Learning Center -                 (541) 383-3208 - sanfordshapiro@bendlearningcenter.com
Jason Hunt 1007
Jason Hunt Foundation - To learn more about the Foundation click on its logo
1st Class Investigations January 2007
Jacqueline Lloyd - Writer, Mystic, Wife & Mother. Author of "The Thief of Sacred" - Please visit my Blog 
Aspiro January 2007
At Aspiro finding new hobbies and interest to replace the old behaviors is part of the healing process.
Eagles Nest School for Boys 0707
Eagles Nest School for Boys - Our Academic Program assists boys to catch-up on their academics or significantly advance their education whether they have been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, Bi-Polar, ODD, as well as many other learning disabilities.
Our Sponsors
1st Class Investigations January 2007
All 1st Class
Transport Agents have had comprehensive background & DMV checks
1st Class Investigations January 2007
Kim Arnsparger M.Ed. -           Phone (256) 325-9650 - Please feel free to call me to discuss what options might be best for your child.
USAGuides
USAguides - The transportation of troubled or at-risk adolescents to schools and programs
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HORIZON FAMILY SOLUTIONS Educational Consulting Serving Clients Locally and Nationally

Dore 1
Few choices have as great an impact as the choice of a program or school. 

Students and their families may find this decision overwhelming as they struggle to evaluate options and make wise choices.

Horizon Family Solutions consultants counsel  families and students in the selection of educational programs and schools, based on the student's individual goals, needs and talents.

We are skilled professionals who provide counseling to help a family and their student choose a school or other program that is a good personal match: one that will foster the student's academic, emotional, social and spiritual growth.

We provide a family with individual attention, firsthand knowledge of hundreds of educational opportunities, and the time to explore all of the different options.

Horizon Family Solutions Consulting specialties:

~
Specialized Boarding Schools
~ At Risk Teens
~ Students with Learning Differences

Because we are not bound to any institution, as independent consultants we provide unbiased advice and our  recommendations are based on our professional findings of a student's needs and abilities. At the heart of our practice is research on educational trends, changes in admissions policies, and developments on program and school campuses.

We take exclusive tours of schools and programs, meeting with staff from a wide variety of educational institutions, and we attend  professional seminars and conferences on critical issues several times a year.

Horizon Family Solutions has established strict guidelines for ethical and professional practice.

We pledge to maintain the highest ethical standards and not to accept compensation from any school or other program for referral or placement of a client.

We are compensated directly by our clients.

Horizon Family Solutions Additional specialties:

~
Adolescent Crisis Interventions
~ Family & Parent Coaching
~ Student Assessments


Featured Article
Find Solutions that Work Book

 Frustrated with Your Teen?

Christina Botto has been a sought after mediator between parents and their teens for more than 16 years.

You too can have the relationship with your teen that you envision by learning the techniques she teaches in her popular book Help Me With My Teenager!


A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents that Works.
Featured Article
MTV True Life

Are you a yo-yo when it comes to your weight?

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Are you worried about staying thin long enough to make your wrestling weight... fit into your wedding dress... or go back to school looking as great as you did in May? Are you an aspiring model or beauty queen who struggles to fit into sample sizes?

Do you fear that if you can't stay thin you won't get that dream job... or meet that dream guy?

If so, MTV wants to hear about your struggle to keep the pounds off.

If you appear to be between the ages of 16 and 28, and feel like you can't stay thin no matter how hard you try, email us at thin@mtvstaff.com with all of the details.

****** Please be sure to include your name, location, PHONE NUMBER and a photo!

Looking to talk with people IMMEDIATELY******
 

True Life is MTV's award-winning series that covers diverse topics that are important to our audience, ranging from pop culture trends to breaking news issues.

Topics in the past have included hard hitting topics such as drug addiction (crystal meth, oxycontin, etc), parents divorcing, to much lighter subjects such as being a big Justin Timberlake fan. True Life crews are able to blend into the background to capture life unscripted and untouched. This enables us to tell stories from the voices and points-of-view of our characters - putting the series in a unique position of reflecting the state of youth culture at any given moment.

And, since the series premiere in 1998, MTV's audience has kept wanting more - constantly tuning in, making True Life the most popular documentary series in our channel's history.  

"Legit documentary-style programs about real-life families - such as MTV's "True Life" - will get you right back in front of the old TV where you belong," says Linda Stasi of the New York Post.