Family Involvement

Three Springs residents typically have not responded well in the past to structure and rules, and they have not been successful in building appropriate relationships with authority figures or peers. Often these teens have taken unhealthy risks jeopardizing their safety and the well-being of their families.

Separation from the family allows your child the opportunity to work on the issues that brought him or her to Three Springs. By removing them from the home, children learn the importance of family.

When your child is admitted to a Three Springs program your family continues to be an important part of his life, and you become an important part of the therapeutic process. Ongoing family involvement is essential. Parents are encouraged to visit the campus during regular parent support weekends and for family therapy sessions. After several months your attendance at ceremonies celebrating your child's progress becomes all-important to her.

Family support begins immediately after your child enters the program. Your family will be assigned a Family Service Worker who is your main point of contact with Three Springs. Your Family Service Worker is available to answer questions and support ongoing family involvement through this difficult time.

As your child progresses through the graduated program stage system he or she will earn visits with your family away from the campus, perhaps for dinner and a movie in a nearby town. Eventually, your child will earn a home visit. These visits are closely watched by the Three Springs treatment team. The objective is to maintain ongoing family involvement and support as your child progresses through the program.

Adoption, Divorce and Grief

A high percentage of Three Springs residents are adopted children. Additionally, some of these children do not come from two-parent households.

Adopted children can sometimes face serious issues concerning their family and birth parents. Feelings of abandonment can lead to unhealthy relationships with adults and peers. The Positive Peer Culture at Three Springs has proved to be an especially effective technique in helping adopted children. Your child and your family may join specialty groups dealing with specific issues surrounding adoption.

Divorce or the loss of a parent is also a common issue with many children at our programs, and many Three Springs residents come to us from single-parent households.

We can help single parents, and even divorced parents who have a hard time communicating with each other. Healing the child involves healing the family and the special issues facing divorced families.