William J. Ostiguy Recovery High School

Transcription

1 William J. Ostiguy Recovery High School An alternative high school operating in partnership with the Gavin Foundation, Boston Public Schools and the MA Department of Public Health Annual Report School Year

2 History About Ostiguy High School With funding from the MA Department of Public Health and in partnership with the Gavin Foundation and Boston Public Schools, Action for Boston Community Development opened William J. Ostiguy High School in September 2006 and initially enrolled 10 students. One of only three Recovery High Schools in the state, Ostiguy s enrollment continues to expand and in 2011 serves nearly 60 students. Need Recent epidemiologic data on the prevalence of adolescent substance abuse are both alarming and frightening. In 2009, approximately 20% of high school youth disclosed recent use of an illicit drug (Monitoring the Future; National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), 2010). Substances most commonly used were alcohol (42% of respondents) and marijuana (21%). An emerging area of concern was the non-medical use of prescription drugs. Among 12th graders, 62% of the most commonly abused drugs (excluding alcohol and tobacco) were prescription or over-the-counter medications, over half of which were provided by a friend or relative (Info Facts; NIDA, 2010). In 2010, daily marijuana use (6.1% of respondents) was at its highest point since Mission Provide a safe, sober and supportive school environment in which youth in recovery can develop the skills and strengths needed for personal, academic, vocational and community success. Students Ostiguy High School serves youth age whose capacity to succeed in a conventional public school is limited by a history of substance abuse. To enroll, students must be referred by a substance abuse counselor, have participated in some form of treatment or counseling, and been drug and alcohol free for at least 30 days. Recovery Services Each student works with a Recovery Counselor, who engages the student in the critical process of identifying steps to an individualized recovery plan and monitors progress toward goals. Enrichment and supportive services include teaching avoidance behaviors, promoting resiliency, clinical group activities and linkage with community treatment resources. Ostiguy partners with the Gavin Foundation, which has offered substance abuse treatment services since 1982, to provide a full time on-site substance abuse counselor. Parental engagement and education in support of student recovery are also provided.

3 School Model William J. Ostiguy High School incorporates seven distinct though highly integrated components. While the objectives of academic competency and progress toward high school graduation are a primary focus, there is an equal commitment to a comprehensive recovery program that includes an individualized contract with the youth, commitment to their recovery, linkage with a behavioral health clinician when necessary, family support, and comprehensive care management and resource coordination. Academic Competency Successfully Community Integration MCAS completion HS graduation MA curriculum frameworks Compliance Continuing Education Compliance Vocational Planning Recovery Support Risk Assessment Self-Regulation Use of Community resource Use of recreational resources Comprehensive Care Management and Resource Coordination Promotion of health, safety, and well being Coordination of multiple resources and agency contact. Behavioral health linkage School Collaboration School health/adjustment counselor linkage Facilitating transfer of credits Annual transition plan Planning for school reintegration when Appropriate Continuing Care Routine Follow Up Relapse Support Resource Linkage When I enrolled at Ostiguy High I knew that I would get the support I needed for my recovery. I didn t realize how many other opportunities that would come my way. The guidance counselor helped me through the college application process. I participated in an afterschool web design course. After I graduated, ABCD provided me a job at the Isabella Gardner Museum through the SummerWorks program. Now that I am starting college I still communicate regularly with the staff and students at Ostiguy. - Adam M., age 21 Individual contracts Mandatory drug screenings 12 step program Cognitive behavioral therapy Motivational interviews Peer relationships and networks Family Support Understanding use/abuse Participation in Recovery Information/referral support

4 Academic Excellence Ostiguy s proficiency-based curriculum aligns with Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and graduation standards. Academic achievement is supported through alternative assessments, innovative structures and schedules that enable graduation for off-track students. Foundation elements of OHS academic programming: Small class sizes that never exceed a 15:1 student to teacher ratio After-school and summer resources for credit recovery, tutoring, and standardized test and college preparation Individualized educational plan for each student Individualized MCAS preparation targeting each student s skill gaps Accelerated credit recovery and digital curriculum options for off-track students to facilitate on-time graduation Academic work is put to real world use through student internships or paid, part time employment facilitated through ABCD s Career Explorations program. Career and college linkages are also provided to students through college tours each spring, and participating in the annual BYSN Youth Showcase which offers students a chance to show off their creative ad academic work to potential employers. Left: William J. Ostiguy congratulates two graduates. Above: An Ostiguy student conducts presents a math project.

5 Recovery Services For Students: Clinical Services : A substance abuse counselor provides individualized recovery services and connections to community-based clinical resources. Regular drug and alcohol use testing is administered throughout the year. Supports: Psycho-social evaluations and treatment plans are integrated into individualized recovery plans, and behavioral health services are provided through the Gavin Foundation. Health and Wellness: Instruction based on a curriculum developed by Institute for Health and Recovery are implemented into Ostiguy's course structure. An exercise component includes weekly on-site yoga classes, Cambridge YMCA membership, and more. For Families: Engagement: At Ostiguy, parents are partners in the recovery, participating in the development of their child's recovery plan, which they then must authorize and update monthly. Education: Monthly Parent Nights enable information about programming and student progress to be shared, and feature trainings and information sessions on participating in and aiding the substance abuse recovery process. Support: Ostiguy parents organize and hold monthly Families Anonymous meetings where they discuss and address the unique challenges of parenting a recovery teen. My family is involved in recovery and schooling, and in the combination of the two. When I go home at night, I don't leave the supportive community that is helping me to stay sober and finish high school. - Tessie Kelleher-Palmarin, 2008 OHS Graduate Follow-up Services Ostiguy staff conduct post-gradation follow-up with former students on a regularly scheduled basis through meetings and phone calls. Follow-up activities collect information on students' sobriety, work and educational progress, and ongoing service or support needs.

6 Community Partners Ostiguy works with many local agencies, organizations, and foundations to provide critical academic, clinical, and supportive services to its students. These partners offer resources that enable recovery and graduation for OHS students and expand the network of resources available to at-risk youth. Boston Public Schools BPS provides qualified and skilled teachers and trainings that facilitate the development of a highly experienced and professional staff, as well as student access to district resources. The Gavin Foundation Gavin Foundation provides licensed substance abuse counselors, a licensed clinical social worker and contracted Psychiatrist who work with Ostiguy students. Gavin' staff also provide behavioral health consultation and =emergency intervention support to students in need through residential outpatient substance abuse treatment programs. MA Dept. of Public Health As a member of the community continuum of care, OHS staff attend DPH provider and education coordinator meetings, enabling the school to make referrals and access treatment services for students at all levels of care. DPH reciprocally refers atrisk students to Ostiguy and reciprocally. ABCD Youth Services Ostiguy students can access the full array of ABCD youth services that support selfsufficiency and job readiness. Since 2006, 98 Ostiguy students have participated in ABCD s Career Explorations and Summerworks/after-school employment and training opportunities. Boston Youth Service Network BYSN serves at-risk youth by creating linkages between work and learning and re-engaging disconnected youth with essential programs. Members include ABCD, EDCO, El Centro de Cardinal, Boston Asian YES, Hull Lifesaving Museum, YouthBuild Boston, Hyde Square Task Force and Sociedad Latina. MA Rehabilitation Commission Each Ostiguy senior preparing to graduate meets with MRC to determine their eligibility for tuition reimbursement from higher education institutions. Top: OHS students row with staff from the Hull Lifesaving Museum, a BYSN member organization. Bottom: OHS students take a break from class to construct gingerbread houses.

7 Ostiguy by the Numbers 53 students were enrolled at Ostiguy High School in % of seniors graduated in OHS Enrollment, MA school districts, in addition to the Boston Public Schools, have enrolled students at Ostiguy High School A 15:1 student to teacher ratio enables delivery of intensive academic services. 65% of students participate in ABCD s youth employment programs during the summer and after school. Above: 2009 OHS graduates pose after receiving their diplomas.

8 Specialized Programs Enrichment Activities Ostiguy students put into practice their lessons on recovery, health, and wellness through regular enrichment opportunities including physical activity and sports, peer to peer mentoring, and after-school and summer activities through ABCD and the Boston Youth Service Network. Jobs and Internships Ostiguy students are encouraged to participate in year-round employment opportunities through ABCD s Career Explorations and SummerWorks programs and staff work with community partners to make internships available to students. These experiences complement the academic and life skills developed at OHS, and provide income support and work experience that strengthens resumes and college applications. Summer School OHS can enroll in University High School s summer credit acceleration program which offers core curriculum courses delivered through a hybrid model combining in-class and online instruction. Enrollment is prioritized for seniors with potential for August graduation and off-track students who, with credit recovery, can move on to the next grade in Fall. Math and Science Remediation In partnership with University High School, off-track students access specialized instruction in core math and science classes. This program also provides targeted MCAS preparation, tutoring, and peer learning groups. The program partners with area colleges and community organizations, like Suffolk University, Emerson College, UMass Boston, AmeriCorps, and more, to facilitate additional mentoring and academic support services for teen enrollees. Right Top to Bottom: Math and Science Remediation class; OHS students volunteering at Cradles to Crayons; OHS students get ready to ice skate at the Boston Public Garden.

9 Student Profile Basic demographic data covering overall enrollment over time shows that most Ostiguy students are male, over-age, and low-income. Ostiguy is committed to creating a diverse staff and student population while targeting for enrollment those youth who have completed initial 30-day treatment. In 2010, the Boston Public Health Commission reported that although rates of drug and alcohol use among black, Latino, and white teens in Suffolk County are very similar, the number of minority youth entering treatment programs is significantly lower than white teens. Statewide, 82% of youth entering treatment are white. Sex Female 37% Male 63% Much like the "achievement gap" of academic performance, the "treatment gap" for urban minority youth creates serious disparities in access. This disparity is reflected in the higher percentage of white students enrolling at Ostiguy. Age 12 to 17 15% 18 to 23 85% Annual Household Income 30% At or Below FPL Above FPL 70% Above: OHS students take break from a scavenger hunt around Boston.

10 Outcomes The aim of Ostiguy s academic, clinical, and supportive services is to enable students recovery from substance abuse and addiction, graduation, college enrollment, and job obtainment. In 2011: 75% of students maintained sobriety 80 % of graduates immediately entered college 70% found full-time employment Graduation Rates, % 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 75% 78% 73% 70% 58% 60% 61% 63% Boston Public Schools OHS Ostiguy strives to make graduation a reality for each student, and dedicates resources to ensuring that offtrack students get the support they need to graduate with their class. For many students, recovery services and specialized academic support programs are the difference between a diploma and dropping out. Above: 2009 OHS grads pose after receiving their diplomas. Below: Deni Paynter poses with his mother after the ceremony Ostiguy High helped me in so many ways, not just with the academic part of my life. They helped me with my job search and training, and with my recovery. Even after graduation, they followed up with me. Deni Paynter, 2009 OHS Graduate

11 What s Next at OHS As staff and community partners work to develop more advanced and effective resource networks for youth in recovery, Ostiguy will continue to improve its academic, clinical, and supportive services to enable healthy lifestyles and graduation for teens in need. Goals for the school year include: Engage, enroll and retain at least 60 students in recovery from substance abuse during the school year; Deliver a comprehensive high school curriculum for 60 students annually that meets Massachusetts secondary curriculum frameworks in all domains; Expand student population diversity from 20% to 35%; Improve academic performance and attendance among 95% of students; Increase graduation rate from 60% of engaged students to 75%; Increase sobriety rate/decrease relapse episodes among all students; Make complete shift to competency curriculum by June 2012; Engage 90% of student family members into groups and other structured activities in support of student recovery. Left Top to Bottom: OHS students after ice skating at the Boston Public Garden; a OHS grad celebrates with her son; OHS students work on a group project

12 Support William J. Ostiguy High School and the ABCD Youth Services Department would like to thank all of its public, private, and community supporters who provide unwavering guidance and opportunity for Boston s youth in recovery. Gavin Foundation Boston Public Schools Bureau of Substance Abuse Services Department of Public Health Governors Interagency Council on Substance Abuse Jennifer Tracey Senator Steven Tolman Willie Ostiguy Massachusetts Association for Addiction and Recovery Institute for Health and Recovery Springfield Recovery High School North Shore Recovery High School Pegasus House Cushing House Boys and Girls program Community Recovery Services Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Cambridge YMCA Hull Lifesaving Museum Mary Kelleher Anne Taft Claddagh Foundation Right Top to Bottom: Senator Steven Tolman speaks at Ostiguy s 2010 graduation ceremony; OHS Principal Roger Oser with grad Kaila S.; OHS teaching and clinical staff

13 William J. Ostiguy Recovery High School An alternative high school operating in partnership with the Gavin Foundation, Boston Public Schools and the MA Department of Public Health Syvalia Hyman III ABCD Board Chair John Drew ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler ABCD Executive Vice President Mark Isenburg ABCD Vice President for Workforce Development and ITS Roger Oser William J. Ostiguy Recovery High School Principal