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>> SPECIALIZED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, SENIORS, CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES
WINTER 2017
Rivermont Schools 1987-2017 s it begins its fourth decade, Centra Rivermont Schools reaffirms its commitment to excellence, integrity, innovation, value and service to students and their families.
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The specialized education program began in Lynchburg, where Lloyd Tannenbaum, EdD, Rivermont Schools director, had an office as an instructor assigned to the Child and Adolescent unit at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital.
Thirty years ago, Rivermont Schools began as a child and adolescent service that provided educational activities for approximately 15 school-age children during hospitalization for psychiatric illnesses. Today, Rivermont Schools is a Virginia licensed and internationally accredited school program in 12 locations serving approximately 650 children with disabilities who have been referred for placement by more than 60 public school divisions.
“I spent much of the day with the kids who were patients on Krise 6,” he said. “I would bring them down to the Cowling building where we had classes, then march them back up to Krise 6. Because I was in touch with local school divisions, I began to talk with other educators, especially those in special education about the need for a school designed for children and adolescents who didn’t need an inpatient unit but had other issues, such as causing disruptions in class.
Children come to Rivermont Schools with an array of acute emotional and behavioral issues that make it difficult for them to learn in a regular school setting. At Rivermont, they find a new environment—one dedicated to their success, not only in school, but also in life.
MENTAL HEALTH INTAKE & RESOURCE CENTER, 800.947.5442
continued on page 2 For additional information about Centra Rivermont Schools, please call 434.200.4447 or visit RivermontSchools.com.
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Rivermont Schools
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Tannenbaum, who had come to Centra from a public school setting, said, “I thought there could be a natural marriage between the spheres of academics and behavioral health. School-aged children would have a full-time education and also receive therapy.”
Rivermont School–Lynchburg opens His idea was attractive to local school divisions, and the new Rivermont School opened in a building on Forest Hills Circle, which remains the site of Rivermont Schools-Lynchburg. The program received licensure by the Virginia Department of Education, making it the first in the Commonwealth to merge therapeutic behavioral health practices and special education as the foundation for each classroom professional team. Tannenbaum served as principal and James McGee oversaw the mental health aspects of the program. Their staff of less than a dozen included a full-time therapist and several teachers and mental health counselors. Today, Tannenbaum oversees a staff of more than 300. In 1996, Rivermont Schools extended its reach to Chase City and with local support, opened a second school. “Initially, many staff members commuted three hours from Lynchburg to Chase City and back,” Tannenbaum remembered. “It was learning by doing, and it turned out to be successful.” The Rivermont Schools curriculum is dually based in traditional kindergarten through grade 12 academics and mental health. Certified special education teachers and licensed mental health and professional counselors address academic and social/emotional curriculums throughout the school day at its campuses in Chase City, Covington, Danville, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Lexington, Lynchburg (Forest Hill Circle and Bridges Residential Treatment Center), Petersburg, Roanoke, Springfield and Virginia Beach.
An emphasis on gatekeeper skills Accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Rivermont Schools places its highest priority on gatekeeper skills—math, reading and written expression—skills that later will open doors in social, educational and occupational settings. Each one of the 12 schools keeps close track of academic progress through semester grades, attendance and adhering to Virginia’s standards of learning objectives for each subject. Teachers are licensed in the area of special education. In addition to serving school-age children experiencing emotional difficulties, the schools also provide academic and behavioral services for students on the autism spectrum that are family-centered and evidence based. Career and Technical Education (CTE) has recently also become a focus in the quest to prepare students for the post-graduation world. The schools take a clinical approach to mapping behavioral objectives through treatment plans specifically created for each
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student. The schools’ therapeutic environment helps students resolve problems, build self-esteem and gain confidence. The Rivermont staff believes that the greatest gift it can bestow on its students is to convince a child to believe in him or herself. Research has shown that when students are actively engaged in learning that is meaningful to them, inappropriate behaviors decrease. As the child progresses academically and emotionally, Rivermont Schools staff, in consultation with student, family and sending school, determine when to begin an incremental transition back to the home school. Whether students spend one year at Rivermont School or their entire school career, the hope is that when they leave, we’ve prepared them for the mainstream of society. “My greatest satisfaction is seeing children that we serve be successful in a school setting, either with their return to public school or graduation from Rivermont Schools,” said Tannenbaum. “It is also particularly satisfying to provide jobs to people who enjoy and are engaged in their work and who have created strong teams at each school.”
Raising the bar Standards at Rivermont Schools are high and with its continued commitment to quality service for student and family, the schools continue to raise the bar beyond state expectations. In addition to becoming Virginia’s largest private, nonprofit system of schools serving school-age children with disabilities, Rivermont Schools: • Was selected as one of four statewide regional winners of a $300,000 competitive grant to serve at-risk children, and whose proposals were reviewed by Virginia Department of Education personnel and university professors • Organized a statewide professional conference titled “Virginia’s At-Risk Youth: Steering Toward Success” • Consistently achieves “Top Tier” employee engagement scores Tannenbaum points to a number of factors that he considers crucial to the program’s success. “There is a commitment of the part of everyone to do the best job possible,” he said. We are humble, yet we seek excellence. We collaborate with our referral sources and listen to what they have to say and to their needs, making us good partners. It is extremely important to us that parents feel that we are doing the best job possible — we want them to be more hopeful about their child’s success in life. As we add schools, we refine and improve our processes and procedures. And we are efficient. None of it is rocket science. We are simply doing the basics.” “Our greatest joy is seeing once failing children prosper in a school setting,” Tannenbaum said. “It is a matter of giving children the opportunity to nurture their natural talents. Building confidence goes a long way in overcoming their problems. Our goal is to give them the strength to be happy and enjoy life, to be successful and contribute to their family and the community.” MENTAL HEALTH INTAKE & RESOURCE CENTER, 800.947.5442
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! RIVERMONT SCHOOL – LYNCHBURG 1987
RIVERMONT SCHOOL – HAMPTON ROADS 2002
Thirty years ago, Rivermont School was created to educate children on the acute psychiatric unit at Virginia Baptist Hospital. Soon after, it moved to a former school building to provide alternative education for local students with special needs. The staff prides itself in relationship building with students, families, area colleges and the community. They are heavily invested in the well-being of their students to ensure their social, emotional and academic development.
The Hampton students learn anger management, coping skills, patience and sportsmanship through music, basketball and relaxation exercises. The school’s mantra, Education for Employment, is manifested into action, with students learning valuable woodworking skills while building picnic tables, birdhouses and other useful items. Several former students are now earning a living using the skills they developed at Rivermont.
RIVERMONT SCHOOL – CHASE CITY 1996 Chase City has created two programs that have proven effective at reducing problematic behaviors. The music program is open to all students and helps them stay on task and maintain positive behaviors. The second program is the basketball team, which promotes teamwork and relationship building. Many students aspire to play for the Bulldogs, knowing that they will need to work hard to participate in practices and games.
RIVERMONT SCHOOL – DAN RIVER 1997 In its 20-year existence, the Danville school has forged many strong relationships with community organizations and agencies. This past fall, to mark the 15th anniversary of 9/11, the students hosted a breakfast for area police and firefighters, complete with “tours” of their police car and fire engine. The students were excited to see these vehicles up close, and the staff enjoyed “showing off” their brand new school building on Piney Forest Road.
RIVERMONT SCHOOL – ROANOKE VALLEY 1998 Knowing that their mission is to transition students back into their public schools, the Roanoke staff enjoy hearing how their former students are doing. Recently the mother of one such young man shared his recent accomplishments which included © The Roanoke Times making the honor roll and dealing effectively with bullies. He was also accepted into a performing arts school where he landed the lead in the school’s drama club performance.
RIVERMONT SCHOOL – TIDEWATER 2006 The Tidewater staff’s mission is to teach, mentor and counsel their students so they can grow and be successful in all aspects of their lives. One teacher, who believed that she was making a difference in her students’ lives, soon realized that her students were giving her special gifts as well. They helped her gain strength, compassion and motivation. She said, “Each child that enters my classroom has had a different impact on my life.”
RIVERMONT SCHOOL – ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS 2007 The Covington school opened 10 years ago with four staff members and eight students, four of whom earned their high school diplomas. Since then, the school has grown to 50 students and 21 skilled and dedicated staff members who, with the help of the community and local agencies, continue to keep students in school and striving toward a better future for themselves.
RIVERMONT SCHOOL – ROCKBRIDGE 2008 The Lexington staff are dedicated to keeping students and themselves involved in their community. They all participate in activities such as shopping trips, volunteering at the YMCA and churches, visiting businesses and delivering lunches at Rockbridge County High School. Working with community organizations has resulted in strong relationships which have opened many doors for the school, its staff and its students. continued on the back
MENTAL HEALTH INTAKE & RESOURCE CENTER, 800.947.5442
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MENTALHEALTH
MATTERS WINTER 2017 | VOL. 31 ISSUE 1
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Celebrating 30 years!
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RIVERMONT SCHOOL – FREDERICKSBURG REGION 2012 This school is unique because of a dedicated group of neighborhood volunteers, known as the Friends of Rivermont, who assist the students in many important ways. They serve as mentors, reading buddies and role models. The “Friends” recently redesigned the school library system to help the students locate books in order to promote easier access and the joy of reading.
RIVERMONT - GREATER PETERSBURG 2014 Since its opening three years ago, staff members have worked together to help students overcome obstacles and achieve a positive outlook. Besides academics, they also teach students daily living skills in the school’s apartment style classroom. The school enjoys strong community partnerships with the Kiwanis Club of Dinwiddie, Boys and Girls Club of Emporia, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and John Tyler Community College.
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RIVERMONT SCHOOL – BRIDGES 2014 As the only residential school within the Rivermont system, Bridges provides academic instruction and positive behavior supports as well as round-the-clock care for students. As former students attest, Rivermont School – Bridges is one of the first places that many of them felt safe to learn and grow.
RIVERMONT SCHOOL – NORTHERN VIRGINIA (NOVA) 2016 NOVA is the newest school, growing from a dusty, dirty construction zone to a beautiful state-of-the-art facility where students can feel safe physically, emotionally and psychologically. Since the fall, the school halls have been filled with the sounds of students and staff engaging in playful banter and meaningful, relationship-building interactions.
MENTAL HEALTH INTAKE & RESOURCE CENTER, 800.947.5442