Transitional Services

Parents are faced with the very important question – what happens after my child leaves the wilderness program. Three Rivers Montana recognizes the vital importance of continuing support for parents and students after the teen graduates from the program. Adolescents typically make fabulous gains while in wilderness treatment but may move away from those gains without continuing support after leaving Three Rivers.

Transitional Services for Students
Going on to a Boarding School after Three Rivers

Many Three Rivers Montana students continue their treatment at a therapeutic or emotional growth boarding school or residential treatment center. Consistency in treatment, goals, and family work is essential. Three Rivers is committed to a quality turnover of information to the new placement. The therapist will communicate with the staff at the new school to convey assessment information, a description of the work the student and family have done and recommendations for continued treatment and support. The director of education will answer any questions the new school may have on academic matters and will ensure that the new school receives transcripts of academic work completed at Three Rivers.

Transitional Services for Students
Returning Home

Three Rivers Montana welcomes contact from parents and graduate students at any time. Transitional services are provided for students who return home directly after graduating from Three Rivers. Transitional services actually begin while the student is still at Three Rivers. The therapist will introduce the home-transition check-list to the family and assist the family to make sure important supports are in place in their community before the child returns home. Depending upon the needs of the child and family, recommended community supports may be individual and family therapy, drug and alcohol treatment, job, community activities, plans for education and a mentor. The family and student will develop a contract with the help of the therapist before the child leave Three Rivers.

The Three Rivers Montana transitional coach will make the first contact via e-mail or call the family shortly after the child returns home. The transitional coach can help support the student and family in the following ways:

• Working with the family to make sure the supports put in place through the home-transition check-list are meeting family needs

• The therapist or transitional coach is available to talk directly with the community therapist or others as needed and requested by the family

• Tracking progress of student and family and helping reinforce key concepts parents and teen learned at Three Rivers

• Coordinating contact between field staff and the student if requested by student or parents

• The Three Rivers director of education will ensure that transcripts of academic work completed by the student while at Three Rivers is forwarded to parents and/or school