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Teens Helping Teens
Students of The Pinnacle Schools recently reached out to homeless teens in the Huntsville area by participating in a Student vs Staff food drive. Pinnacle leaders had learned that several homeless teens in the Huntsville area had recently been placed in homes by a Teen Outreach Program in Huntsville. The Studio, located on Oakwood Avenue, provides shelter, job training, and other services to homeless teens.
Amy Shaw, Pinnacle Academic Administrator, threw down the gauntlet by challenging the students against staff. Within two weeks, five large tubs of food were delivered to The Studio just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. The students, who won the contest in a landslide, were treated to a pizza party today. What a wonderful feeling it is to help others.
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Recommended Reading
Home Tonight: Further Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son
By Henri Nouwen
We often visit with graduates and their parents long after their days at Elk River. One parent recently recommended a book that had made a significant difference in his life as he attempted to come to terms with his relationship with his adopted son.
Home Tonight: Further Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, follows the path of Henri Nouwen's spiritual homecoming. Nouwen is an internationally renowned priest and author, respected professor and pastor who wrote more than 40 books on the spiritual life.
Home Tonight follows Nouwen's "Return of the Prodigal Son," written in 1994 as he meditated on the parable of the prodigal son's return, a powerful drama of fatherhood, filial duty, rivalry, and anger between brothers.
One reviewer wrote, "Home Tonight is a book to provide thought and self-examination. It deals with the issues of belonging, forgiveness and home in new ways that I hadn't considered before."
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Thank you from
Teens Path to Success Foundation
Teens Path to Success Foundation, a 501 (c)(3), would like to thank all its supporters throughout 2011! Our year began with a successful teen art contest, a Jeffrey Steele, Edwin McCain benefit concert and auction. We are proud to announce that all monies raised provided needed scholarships for at-risk teens. In 2012, some new and exciting programs for Teens Path to Success Foundation are already in the works beginning with our 2nd Annual Art Contest. Please visit our website www.teenspathtosuccess.org for more information of upcoming events. There is one special event we would like you all to participate in this year and that is the first ever Alabama Gives Day. One Day. One massive opportunity to support local nonprofits. Mark your calendar for February 2, 2012! For more information visit www.alabamagivesday.org. Again, many thanks to those who have helped these families find the path to success! |
 Visit with Pinnacle Graduate
Clay Osborne
At The Pinnacle Schools (TPS), there are few things that make us happier than to hear from our former students/residents. TPS graduate Clay Osborne of neighboring town Arab, Alabama, recently paid us a visit at the Huntsville Campus. He was there to spread the good news about his recent position at Cutco, a well-known quality brand of cutlery and kitchen accessories directly marketed to customers through in-home demonstrations. Clay, of course, presented the staff with an opportunity to purchase these fine cutlery products. He also had an inspiring testimony about his interview for the sales position at Cutco.
His future employer asked Clay for any examples of leadership skills. Clay said he immediately recalled what he had learned at Elk River regarding AIR: Accountability, Integrity and Responsibility. Through the group therapy process, Clay learned that his actions, both positive and negative, affect the Team and the actions of the Team affect him. To be a leader, you must condition yourself to lead by example and sometimes that means picking up the slack when a fellow group member falls behind. It also means addressing a fellow group member that might be intentionally slacking. Either example is of leadership.
Clay said he was hired on the spot after describing his leadership roles while residing at Elk River. One week after an intensive training period at Cutco, Clay had sold $10,000 of products. Soon after that he was promoted to assistant manager. In the Spring, he plans to transfer from Calhoun Community College in Huntsville, AL to the University of North Alabama (UNA) pursuing a major in Psychology.
Clay said he was introduced to the Elk River Treatment Program after becoming involved in some negative relationships. Clay's parents made the difficult decision in 2009 to withdraw him from Arab High School and admit him in the adolescent program of The Pinnacle Schools. Often the best solution to poor peer choices is to remove the teen from the negative environment. "I was making immature decisions," Clay recalled, "and often argued with my parents. At Elk River, I learned a lot about leadership, and a lot about myself and how to deal with life. I didn't realize that I wasn't equipped to handle the stresses of life. I learned how to handle situations properly and how to communicate without arguing."
After graduating from the Elk River Treatment Program, Clay and his parents decided it would be best for him to attend The Pinnacle Schools Huntsville Campus rather than return to his old school. "I preferred Pinnacle over public high school," Clay said. "Pinnacle is a smaller environment and allows you to work at a faster pace." It also provided protection from the negative relationships that still existed in his hometown school.
Clay is proud that he finished high school early through The Pinnacle Schools and began college at age 17.
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From the CEO
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Founder, President & CEO Karen Lee
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Greetings!
In the midst of the holiday season, with all its shopping, family get-togethers and parties, many find themselves overwhelmed with a combination of stress and opportunity to over indulge in food and/or alcohol. Teens are certainly not immune to these stresses and temptations of the holidays. Most adults would never consider furnishing alcohol to a minor or host a party that makes it available to minors. but we all know the "cool" parents who walk the fine line between looking the other way and openly providing alcohol to their child and his or her closest buddies.
Let's remind them that Florida, for example, just increased its penalties for a person in control of a home who knowingly allows a minor to possess or consume alcohol or drugs at an open house party. In Florida, it is always illegal for parents or other adults to provide alcohol to persons under the age of 21. Some states allow minors to possess alcohol if accompanied by their parent/ guardian or with parental consent. For your state law, visit http://www.socialhostliability.org/law. One mother was arrested shortly after the bill was enacted in July for multiple counts of open house party and contributing to the delinquency of a minor after she hosted an underage drinking party in her home on the last day of school.
Criminal penalties have been stiffened for party hosts that allow underage drinking parties for a second time, or if the minor who consumed alcohol is killed or seriously injured or if the minor causes or contributes to causing injury or death to another person. The Florida legislation increases the penalty from a second degree misdemeanor to a first degree misdemeanor, which carries a fine not to exceed $1,000 and a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year.
According to SocialHostLiability.org, "Laws vary widely from state to state. Some states do not impose any liability on social hosts while others limit liability to injuries that occur on the host's premises. Some extend the host's liability to injuries that occur anywhere a guest who has consumed alcohol goes. Many states have laws that pertain specifically to furnishing alcohol to minors. As society has become less tolerant of drunk driving and injuries resulting from the consumption of alcohol and as individuals and organizations concerned with alcohol abuse have taken an active role in the political process, the laws relating to alcohol have generally become more stringent."
For those of you who are still reading this column, a quick check of state laws reveal that Alabama's laws against Social Hosts state, "A social host can be held liable for actions of intoxicated minors." According to an officer at the Huntsville Police Department, "Underage drinking is absolutely prohibited. Officers can use discretion and confiscate the alcohol and call the parents to come and get them, but it's more than likely going to be a trip down to Police ID for prints and a mug shot then it's off to the Robert Neaves Center for Children (D-Home) and charged with juvenile in possession of alcohol." He continued, "Furnishing alcohol to minors is really a foul with no exceptions. An adult could be looking at a fine of up to $500, $198 in court costs and possibly a 30 day suspended sentence for each offense." The officer added one more thing, it is a violation of their graduated driver's license for a 16 year old to be out driving their friends around past 9 p.m. "Throw in alcohol and peer pressure to a situation like that, it is usually going to turn out bad."
Georgia enforces a limited law which grants parents the right to bring an action against any person who sells or furnishes alcoholic beverages to that parent's underage child without the parent's permission. Massachusetts does not have a Dram Shop Law which pertains to a bar or tavern that sells alcohol and does not mention a Social Host Law. Colorado law states, "Any person convicted of providing alcohol to an underage person or allowing an underage person to use an adult's ID to purchase alcohol shall have the driver's license suspended for six months.
As adults, regardless of state or federal laws, we must follow our moral compass and set the right examples for our teens. They may be pretending to ignore us, but I assure you they are paying close attention to our actions. In the weeks to come, let's be sure to spread the right type of holiday cheer.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
Karen Lee
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Elk River Lassos Equine Therapy Specialists
The Pinnacle Schools welcomes Vannessa Lombardo and Lindsey Hall as Equine Specialists for the Elk River Treatment Program. According to studies, Equine Therapy is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has an incredible impact on individuals, youth, families, and groups. It addresses a variety of mental health and human development needs including behavioral issues, attention deficit disorder, PTSD, substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, relationship problems and communication needs.
Through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), teens learn about themselves and others by participating in activities with horses using non-verbal communication, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem solving. Partnering with mental health professionals, equine specialists help participants develop leadership and teamwork skills, and build confidence and healthy attitudes.
Lindsey is EAGALA Advanced certified and has been practicing the method for six years. She has played an integral role in expanding Equine Services at a nationally recognized residential treatment program. Lindsey also has five years of experience working in direct care with adolescents and their families. For the last 4 years she has served as Equine Services Coordinator and works to provide a quality elective to each resident on a daily basis.
Lindsey has served as a campus After-Care coordinator and worked with graduates as they planned to transition home and begin to build their future. She has been working with equine since 1990. She has participated in many equestrian events such as local hunter jumper horse shows and fox hunting. She has also been involved in the schooling and training of young horses, as well as local horse rescue.
Vannessa has been EAGALA certified for the past four years and has been working for a nationally recognized residential treatment program for six years. She has experience as a direct care counselor and supervisor and is currently enjoying her role as an Equine Services Coordinator. Vannessa is an advocate of experiential learning and strives to provide each resident with learning opportunities daily. She has served as an Advisor to her campus's Leadership group and kept kids involved with campus and community service projects while encouraging their growth as young leaders.
Vannessa is also an active mentor and worked with residents to prepare them for graduation and a successful transition back home. She is an available support resource to her mentees at any point after their graduation. Vannessa has worked with equine from an early age as a horse owner and pleasure rider.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) incorporate horses experientially for emotional growth and learning. Put simply, EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth And Learning Association) certified teachers and therapists use activities with horses to enhance the therapy that they are providing or the lesson that they are teaching. The activities do not involve riding. They are on the ground and can be most closely related to a ropes course challenge. Individuals and/or groups are given an objective involving horses and work to meet it. In an EAP session, the facilitators make observations throughout the activity about the approach the participants use to meet the objective they have been given.
Using the EAGALA model in this type of therapy is extremely effective because it allows the client to have a learning experience at his or her own pace on his or her own terms. Since there is no strict agenda, the resident can determine the activity as it unfolds, as well as the path of the processing discussion that follows. It is believed that by utilizing this method, the client successfully meets previously defined treatment goals.
In an EAL session, the focus of the activity and processing is on learning and educational goals. For example, non-verbal cues for a social skills group, leadership development for a management team, or confidence building for at-risk teens. An agenda is set and there is more intervention throughout the activities by the facilitators in order for them to insert a lesson when a teaching opportunity arises.
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| Professional Connections
Educational Consultant Deborah Shawen recently visited the Elk River Treatment Program. Deborah specializes in program and school placements for struggling children, teens, and young adults. She also implements educational testing, individual and family counseling and coaching. Aside from traveling from Maryland to north Alabama to visit the Elk River Campus during the throws of summer, we were equally impressed with Deborah's extensive experience in education and psychology.
She and her partner in Shawen.Hannah Solutions have a combined 40+ years of experience in teaching, counseling, educational testing, program development, independent school admissions, and case management. "We are able to combine psychology and education in a unified approach," Mrs. Shawen states. With so many resources and options available for families of children who struggle in school, Mrs. Shawen stands out as a committed professional who provides on-going, personalized services that not only include research and placement, but follow up on the student's progress for up to a year and making further recommendations. For more information, visit www.shawenhannah.com.
Contact:
Deborah Shawen, MS, CAS
Shawen.Hannah Solutions
Towson, Maryland
(410) 321-5612 or (410) 303-0589
Selina Mason, Marketing Director of The Pinnacle Schools, recently visited Mark Means of Means Family Counseling in Birmingham, AL. Mark has taken a lengthy virtual tour of the Elk River Treatment Program (ERTP) through the Parent Portal, provided by BestNotes Electronic Medical Records. ERTP provides BestNotes for parents to view their child's progress, letters and photos on line, and opens a window for therapists to follow their patients throughout the program. The ability for Mark to observe his patient's progress, and counsel the family while the teen is in treatment, allows continuity of care for the reunited family after treatment.
Mark is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Clinical Member: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Sexual Addiction Therapist, Trauma and Addiction Therapist, EMDR I Therapist, and a Certified Experiential Therapist. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Mark counsels individuals, marriages, relationships, and families as part of his practice. He also helps people who are struggling with addictions. Sexual addiction and compulsivity has become a core focus of his practice. Visit his website for interesting resources: http://markmeans.com.
Contact:
Mark Means, LMFT, AAMFT, CSAT, CET II, TADT, EMDR I, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Means Family Counseling
Birmingham, AL
(205) 202-1711 or (205) 437-8314
Also visited recently by The Pinnacle Schools was Holly Hunter of SafePassage Adolescent Transport in Alpharetta, GA. With more than 20 years of experience, Holly Hunter's SafePassage Adolescent Services, a division of Hunter Investigations LLC, has transported troubled teens to therapeutic schools and programs located throughout the country and internationally.
"We provide worry free planned transport of at-risk adolescents and work with professional agents that exhibit dignity and respect for all adolescents in our care," Ms. Hunter said. SafePassage arranges all the travel logistics and coordinates with admissions departments. "We are unbiased with respect to the program chosen by the parents or guardian; we are not affiliated with any one program. We strongly believe that the best program for your adolescent is the program that best serves the specific needs of your situation," according to Ms. Hunter.
As a division of Hunter Investigations LLC, SafePassage clients benefit from services during criminal defense cases, child abuse investigations, juvenile runaway investigations, divorce investigations, fraud investigations, pre-employment background screening and child support recovery investigations. For more information, visit www.safepassagetransport.com or www.hunterpi.com.
Contact:
Holly Hunter
SafePassage Adolescent Transport
Alpharetta, GA
(770) 667-7467
Tamara Ancona is an Educational Consultant in Norcross, GA. Selina Mason with The Pinnacle Schools recently had the opportunity to meet with Tamara to learn more about her specialties and share hallmarks of The Pinnacle Schools.
Tamara has a wealth of education and experience in both psychology and educational placement. She has a Master of Arts in Psychology with a Clinical Counseling Specialty, and holds a certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia. Her area of specialty prior to establishing her educational consulting practice included counseling individuals and families in the acute care, corporate, and private practice settings. She also has vast experience facilitating therapeutic, educational and experiential groups with adult and teen populations.
Since 1998, her focus as an educational consultant has been to provide families in the Southern Region and across the United States with distinct educational options or therapeutic alternatives for their struggling teen or young adult children. Tamara spends more than 25% of her time visiting and evaluating schools and programs across the United States.
She also is the founder of TAG, a Transition Aftercare Program designed specifically for students returning home from a treatment setting and needing additional support as they begin to reintegrate back into their families and communities. For more information, please visit www.tagcounseling.com.
Contact:
Tamara Ancona, MA, LPC
TAG Counseling
Atlanta, GA
(678) 297-0708
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500 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 518-9998
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