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Boot Camps & Military Schools in Alabama
When a troubled teen has gone beyond the disciplinary help of their parents, it is not uncommon to assume that a military school or boot camp is the answer. While placing your child in full time care is rarely a decision you would never make lightly, it is very important to understand the differences and requirements of the variety of programs available. At Help Your Teen Now, we are dedicated to informing parents just like you about your options and giving you access to the resources you need in order to make the best decision for your child. Call us today for a free consultation.
Read more to learn if a military school for troubled teenagers is the best program for your teen or call Help Your Teen Now at 1-800-901-7347.
Boot Camps Are Not The Best Option for Troubled Teens from Alabama
There are many misconceptions about the goals and purpose of teen military schools and boot camp. While the rigid rules and structure of a military school might seem ideal for a troubled teen, these types of institutions are intended to prepare students for academic success and military service, not to correct behavior. Boot camps also adopt a very disciplined schedule and military style approach, however, they are short term, remedial facilities whose main goal is to scare teens into respecting authority. They are non-academic and non-therapeutic and generally do not address the root of behavior problems. Although a boot camp may be an effective first step in your teen’s overall therapy, we strongly urge you to consider it only in conjunction with a longer term plan such as an alternative or therapeutic boarding school. At Help Your Teen Now, we will partner with you to determine the best plan of action for your family’s needs.
Alabama Regulatory Laws
Alabama boot camps and military academies are generally regulated and overseen by state, county and city juvenile court systems. Teachers must hold state certificates(1975 §16-28-1(1) and the course work must be reflective of that taught in the public school curriculum (1975 §16-28-1(1) Attendance is mandatory and records of absences of half a day or more must be kept.(1975 §16-28-1(1). Nonpublic schools must also implement a physical education program. (1975 §16-40-1).
The Alabama Department of Human Resources oversees the minimum standards for nonpublic facilities. Building codes must be up to date (1975 §41-9-163(c) fire drills must be held regularly and all exits must remain unlocked during schools hours. (1975 §36-19-10). Instructors and volunteers are subject to sex criminal background checks upon employment (1975§26-20-1). The unlawful sale of controlled substances on campus, or within a three mile radius is punishable by five years incarceration, with no probation (1975 §13a-12-250).
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Alabama children between the ages of 4-17 diagnosed each year with ADD/ADHD: 10.6% ( Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011 Study).
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/prevalence.html
Alabama ranks 9th in the country for teen pregnancy. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2016).
https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/facts-and-stats/national-and-state-data-sheets/adolescent-reproductive-health/alabama/index.html
National suicide ranking: 23rd (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2016).
https://www.usatoday.com/list/news/depression-suicide-by-state/346e182d-d439-4448-b8d9-a0233a45f598/?block=alabama
A 2017 report indicated that 10.4% of Alabama teens abuse alcohol and marijuana use was at 6.1%. Other illicit drug use was at 5%. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2017) https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/facts-and-stats/national-and-state-data-sheets/adolescents-and-substance-abuse/alabama/index.html
Juvenile arrests in Alabama for 2018 included 48 arrests for aggravated assault, 35 arrests for robbery, 306 arrests for larceny, 41 arrests for drug abuse and 28 arrests for weapons violations. (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2018)
https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/crime/qa05103.asp?qaDate=2018&text=yes
For the 2016-2017 school year, Alabama reported an 89.3% high school graduation rate. (U.S. Department of Education. 2016-2017) https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/high-school-graduation-rates-by-state/
Summary
If you are considering a military school or boot camp as a solution for your teens behavior, please call us. There are a variety of options that may be a better long term solution for your teen’s specific needs. Alternative and therapeutic boarding school facilities provide not only an education, but also staff therapists and a team dedicated to addressing the root of the problems, not just the symptoms. We provide a free consultation that will help us guide you toward the groups and organizations that will be most effective for your family. Boot camp and military schools are not your only option to reverse your child’s self-destructive behavior. Call us today and put your family back on the path to healing.
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