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Boot Camps & Military Schools in Rhode Island
Adolescence is a challenging time even for the healthiest of kids, but if your teen is suffering from physical, emotional or mental issues, it can be hard to cope with those challenges. HelpYourTeenNow is the ultimate parent resource when it comes to choosing therapeutic programs for troubled teens. Whether your teen suffers from depression, ADD/ADHD, self-harm, low self-esteem, substance abuse, eating disorders or other serious issue, HelpYourTeenNow can utilize a vast resource of parents and professionals to help you get the information you need to help your child.
Military Schools and Boot Camps Aren’t the Best Option for Troubled Teens
For parents and teenagers new to the struggles of adolescent physical and mental issues, it may seem like military schools and boot camps offer a fast, tough solution to all your problems. However, military schools and boot camps are rarely helpful in the long term. Military schools are focused on prepping cadets for college and beyond, while boot camps are simply month-long programs designed to force unruly teens to comply. There are a range of long-term residential therapeutic options out there with access to real therapists, caring counselors and proven methods of success.
Rhode Island Regulatory Laws
The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families is responsible for overseeing all residential and therapeutic programs for children and teens throughout the state.
If a Rhode Island private school desires to be approved by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, it must show that its curriculum is in compliance with the state’s standards for classroom education (RIGL 16-19-2, 16-22-1 et.seq., 16-60-4(10). The state of Rhode Island does not require certification for teachers, however they must all show they have earned at least a bachelor’s degree (RIGL 16-2-18.1, 16-19-2; Regents Regulations L-6-4.4). All employees must pass a criminal background check before being employed at a private school in Rhode Island. All classes must be taught in English, per the state requirements (RIGL 16-19-2, 16-22-2, 16-22-4). Private schools also have the option on whether to participate in state testing (RIGL 16-22-9).
(U.S. Department of Education, State Regulation of Private Schools, 2009)
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
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Educational Recources
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Rhode Island Regulatory Laws
The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families is responsible for overseeing all residential and therapeutic programs for children and teens throughout the state.
If a Rhode Island private school desires to be approved by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, it must show that its curriculum is in compliance with the state’s standards for classroom education (RIGL 16-19-2, 16-22-1 et.seq., 16-60-4(10). The state of Rhode Island does not require certification for teachers, however they must all show they have earned at least a bachelor’s degree (RIGL 16-2-18.1, 16-19-2; Regents Regulations L-6-4.4). All employees must pass a criminal background check before being employed at a private school in Rhode Island. All classes must be taught in English, per the state requirements (RIGL 16-19-2, 16-22-2, 16-22-4). Private schools also have the option on whether to participate in state testing (RIGL 16-22-9).
(U.S. Department of Education, State Regulation of Private Schools, 2009)
Reference: http://www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Educational Recources
Statistics for At-Risk Rhode Island Teens
ADD/ADHD
- 10.6%
10.6 percent of children in Rhode Island, aged 3–17 years have been diagnosed with ADHD. (National Survey of Children’s Health, 2016–2019).
TEEN PREGNANCY
- 9.4%
The teen pregnancy rate for adolescents aged 15 to 19 in Rhode Island is 9.4 per 1,000 females in this age group, according to the World Population Review.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/teen-pregnancy-rates-by-state
TEEN SUICIDE
- 5%
Rhode Island ranks 1st with a suicide rate of 5 deaths per 100,000 adolescents aged 15 to 19, according to data from the CDC WONDER Multiple Cause of Death Files (2020–2022).
https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/teen_suicide/RI
DRUG USE
- 9.64%
In 2020, approximately 788,000 teenagers aged 12 to 17 nationwide met the criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD). In Rhode Island, about 9.64% of adolescents in this age group reported using illicit drugs, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.
ALCOHOL USE
- 11.02%
Approximately 11.02% of teens in Rhode Island suffer from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2020).
TEEN VAPING
- 30.1%
Rhode Island ranks 10th among all states, with 30.1% of high school teens reported to have used vapes. (Drug Watch, 2024).
TEEN PORNOGRAPHY
- 57%
The porn industry experienced a 12.6% annual revenue increase from 2018 to 2023. Adolescent exposure to pornography has steadily risen, with the age of first exposure becoming increasingly younger. 57% of young adults ages 18-25 use porn monthly or more often.
TEEN BULLYING
- 46%
According to Pew Research Center, 46% of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 have experienced at least one of six types of cyberbullying behaviors. (Pew Research Center, 2022).
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/12/15/teens-and-cyberbullying-2022/
Summary
We Can Help!
Most teenagers go through a rebellious phase, but when you know your teen is struggling with issues that seem impossible to overcome alone, call HelpYourTeenNow. We are a parent advocate group ready and waiting to give you the information you need about everything from why you should avoid boot camps to how you can support your teen while he or she is enrolled in a therapy program. HelpYourTeenNow offers free consultations to any parent who needs our help. We’ll recommend excellent programs in your area that we know from experience have a good success rate with helping teens regain control of their lives and restoring family harmony.