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Boot Camps & Military Schools in West Virginia
When troubled teens need full time help, parents often turn to military schools and boot camps for answers. However, studies show that these programs may not be the best solution. HelpYourTeenNow is a parent advocate group with resources for parents just like you who are looking for detailed, accurate information on how to help their at-risk children. With a free phone consultation, we will assess your family’s situation and go through your options with you. Once you have all the information we can provide, you’ll be able to make wise decisions for your whole family.
Military Schools and Boot Camps Aren’t the Best Option for Troubled Teens
The idea of tough discipline and quick results inspire many parents to send their children to military school and outdoor boot camps, hoping for amazing changes in their troubled teens. However, these programs are not designed to help teens deal with the challenges they are facing. Military schools focus on preparing young cadets for college, and private boot camps are not usually run by therapists, but “drill sergeant” staffers, forcing kids to comply. Neither of these approaches is effective for rehabilitating teens who suffer from problems ranging from ADD/ADHD and depression to self-harm or eating disorders. Avoid military schools and boot camps for teens and seek out alternatives that have a greater success rate.
West Virginia Regulatory Laws
Facilities that treat juveniles must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services Bureau for Children and Families. This West Virginia department is part of the Office of Children and Family Policy, Division of Children and Adult Services.
If a private school wishes to operate in West Virginia, it does not need to be accredited but it does need to register with the West Virginia State Superintendant of Schools (WV Code §18-28-6). Each school must gain approval from its local board of education. West Virginia private schools do not need to hire teachers with certification. Classes must be taught in English (WV Code §18-2-7) and national and state standardized testing is optional. However, West Virginia private schools are encouraged to administer approved national tests annually (WV Code §18-28-3).
(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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West Virginia Regulatory Laws
Facilities that treat juveniles must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services Bureau for Children and Families. This West Virginia department is part of the Office of Children and Family Policy, Division of Children and Adult Services.
If a private school wishes to operate in West Virginia, it does not need to be accredited but it does need to register with the West Virginia State Superintendant of Schools (WV Code §18-28-6). Each school must gain approval from its local board of education. West Virginia private schools do not need to hire teachers with certification. Classes must be taught in English (WV Code §18-2-7) and national and state standardized testing is optional. However, West Virginia private schools are encouraged to administer approved national tests annually (WV Code §18-28-3).
(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 West VirginiaTeens
ADD/ADHD
- 13.3%
West Virginia children between the ages of 4-17 diagnosed each year with ADD/ADHD: 13.3 % (2007 study, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007 Study).
TEEN PREGNANCY
- 49.8%
For West Virginia women between 15-19 years old: 40.9 and 49.8 per 1,000 women. (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2009 Study).
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6006a6.htm?s_cid=mm6006a6_e%0d%0a
TEEN SUICIDE
40th
National suicide ranking: 40th. Number of deaths: 21 (crude rate of 8.9). (CDC’s WISQARS website “Fatal Injury Reports, 2010”
http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/index.html;)
http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=262&name=DLFE-629.pdf
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
- 15.4%
A 2009 report showed that 15.4% of West Virginia teens abuse alcohol and 10.4% are binge drinking. Marijuana use in West Virginia was 6.8% and illicit drug use was at 5.9%. (State Report, 2009, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.)
VIOLENT CRIME
878
Juvenile arrests in West Virginia for 2008 include 577 arrests for property crime, 72 arrests for violent crime, 204 arrests for drug abuse and 25 arrests for weapons violations, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. (Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2009).
GRADUATION RATES
- 76%
For the 2010-2011 school year, West Virginia reported a 76 percent high school graduation rate. (U.S. Department of Education, Graduation Rates 2010-2011)
http://www.governing.com/gov-data/high-school-graduation-rates-by-state.html
Summary
We Can Help!
When you call HelpYourTeenNow, we’ll help you assess whether you should send your at-risk teen to a residential rehabilitation program as well as help you figure out what kind of program might work best. Look beyond military schools and boot camps to authentic therapeutic programs that work on resolving the underlying issues that are causing your teen’s poor behavior. Call HelpYourTeenNow for a free phone consultation and get the most accurate information you can’t find anywhere else, coming from parents and experts who have experience in these programs and who are eager to share it with you.