The Family Foundation School

The Family Foundation School (FFS), a therapeutic boarding school, is located in Hancock, New York.  Situated on a rural campus in the southwestern Catskills of Delaware County, the school serves the needs of at-risk teens with a variety of behavioral issue.

Program of the Family Foundation School

The Family Foundation School provides a therapeutic milieu based on a twelve-step approach.  High school students (grades 9-12) that have problems with various addictions (e.g. drugs, alcohol, food, sex, gambling or gaming) and/or other psychological challenges make up the student body.  Students work toward their high school graduation while receiving support for the various behavioral issues that prompted enrollment.  For many of the students, enrollment in the school is a continuation of services that have already been established. [1]

Accreditation and affiliations

The Family Foundation School is accredited as a as a behavioral health care facility by the Joint Commission[2] and as a school by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools [3] and the New York State Department of Education[4].

The school is also a founding member of National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).[5]

Extracurricular programs

The Family Foundation School’s extracurricular programs include sports teams, drama productions, musical programs, an art department and a wide variety of clubs.  Students also participate with members of the local community through religious associations, scouting, Rotary Club, Job Corps, the Sullivan County BOCES, and various other community service projects in the Hancock, NY area[6].

The Family Times, which is the school newspaper, is produced by the journalism class under the guidance of teacher Chris Stein.  As published in each issue:

“The Family Foundation School is an accredited boarding school for at-risk teens formerly involved in behavior ranging from disrespecting their parents to drug and alcohol abuse.  Students are exposed to a new way of living based on the 12-Step program and the principles of honesty, purity, unselfishness and love.  The students who produce The Family Times strive to live the message of the 12-Steps… …and carry that message by reporting on events based on the foundations of family, work, spirituality, and friendship.  Most of the news comes from the school itself and the local community; once in a while a story from the world at large will tweak the interest of our editors.  The focus on success stories, unique opportunities, and diverse activities highlights the lifestyle changes students make during their stay.  Teenagers who arrive uninterested and withdrawn from life leave the school as young adults with goals and dreams.  Stories illustrate their renewed interests, new found relationships with their families, and changed views towards life.”

Alumni

During the period of 2004 through 2008, all Family Foundation School graduates were accepted at post secondary institutions.  85 percent were accepted to four-year colleges and 15 percent to two-year schools or professional training institutes.  Alumni regularly return to the school to share their experience, strength, and hope with current students[7].  Many visits by alumni are reported on in The Family Times.

See also

* Joint Commission

* NATSAP

Notes and references

1.  Counseling Services at the Family Foundation School [1]

2.  Profile of the Family Foundation School on the directory of The Joint Commission [2]

3.  Family Foundation School entry on the directory of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools: [3]

4. New York State Department of Education, Administrators Listing for Public and Non-Public Schools and School Districts [4]

5.  Family Foundation School profile in the directory of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs [5]

6. Community Projects and the Family Foundation School. [6]

7. Alumni Visits and Participation at the Family Foundation School. [7]

External links

* The Family Foundation School Website

* about The Family Foundation School