Children and Families Having a Choice and a Voice

CMSHHSgov on youtube:

Published on Aug 6, 2012

This documentary film provides viewers with a clear picture of the impact home and community-based services are having on families and children as an alternative to psychiatric residential treatment for children with serious emotional disturbance who meet the requirements to be served in a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility. The hour long film and the ten minute executive summary provides youth, family, provider, state and local government perspectives on how the children and families in the nine states selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to participate in a five year demonstration waiver project. The project was designed to test whether the children either maintain or improve their functioning and whether it is cost effective to serve the children with their families in the community. The video tells the stories of some of the 5000+ children who have successfully and cost effectively been served in the community.

Resilient: The School Discipline Revolution in Walla Walla, WA

Bygone Walla Walla

via League of Education Voters:

Walla Walla's New Approach to Discipline

A bold new approach to discipline at Lincoln High School in Walla Walla, Washington, has revolutionized the lives of its students. The film Resilient: The School Discipline Revolution in Walla Walla, WA tells the story of how Lincoln High School, a small alternative school in Walla Walla, was able to reduce its suspension rates by 85 percent, almost entirely eliminate expulsions, and increase graduation rates.

Follow principal Jim Sporleder as he explains how learning about the brain science of trauma made him reevaluate the way he approached discipline in his school. “I had to look in the mirror and say, ‘Jim, you are wrong and you need to change,’” he said.

His reflection helped him start a major cultural shift in the school with buy-in from the school’s entire staff. The school’s new approach to discipline means teachers and staff help students process their emotions instead of only punishing them when they act out. The staff hold students accountable for mistakes with compassion, and always welcome them with open arms. Every staff member models forgiveness for the students at Lincoln, many of whom see little of it elsewhere in their lives. 

via ACEs Connection:

More from League of Education Voters here