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What Does HFS Provide for Your Family?
With hundreds of programs and schools to choose from, parents are often confused and uncertain about where to turn for help.
Watch this three minute video about Educational Consultants.
The search for the most appropriate program or school placement is best accomplished by a qualified independent educational consultant.
The cost of an expert independent educational consultant is a small price to pay to keep one's child out of an ineffective, or possibly even dangerous, program or school.
We believe it is unwise to make an expensive, life-changing placement decision on the basis of an Internet pop-up, a neighbor's casual recommendation, or something heard in the media.
As in so many other areas of life, when you have a serious challenge to face - financial, legal, medical, etc. - you hire the absolute best person you can find for that job. Your child's future depends on it.
HFS offers the following advantages over "do-it-yourself" searches:
- Objectivity - HFS does not accept any fees or "kick-backs" from any school or program.
We are independent educational consultants whose only obligation is to the family who retains our services.
- Personalized Service - HFS determines the best match between client and program/school, often the best match between client and a particular advisor, counselor or mentor at the school or program.
We assist the family with the entire process, from search, to admission, to selection, to follow-up. In addition, we are available to our families throughout the year to advocate for the client and the family, answer questions and share advice as needed.
- Quality Control - Private schools and programs amount to a considerable emotional and financial investment.
Decisions regarding programs and schools are important considerations that affect a young person's life. It is important to know you are getting the best possible program/school and environment, and difficult to know if a particular program/school is appropriate without firsthand knowledge. HFS has extensive experience with a wide array of schools and programs, and the expertise to help families make the very best decisions. We travel continually throughout the U.S. and abroad, visiting and evaluating schools and programs.
We personally keep current with new developments, program offerings, staff changes, and student populations at hundreds of the top specialty schools and programs.
We use this information to make the most appropriate and personalized recommendations possible.
We have a strong commitment to sharing our firsthand knowledge with our clients and empowering them to make the best decisions.
- Resources - HFS maintains close professional relationships with admissions directors, child location and transport professionals, educational loan specialists, insurance, legal professionals, mental health professionals, travel consultants, and others in order to facilitate every aspect of the placement process.
What Are the Procedures at HFS?
An initial consultation is arranged with HFS, the parents, and student (when possible) to discuss current challenges, goals, needs, special interests, as well as parent's concerns, expectations and any limiting factors. For students with special needs, we discuss the types of appropriate schools and programs. We recommend further evaluation if necessary. Because of travel considerations, the initial meeting may be conducted by phone.
After the initial consultation, we at HFS analyze educational and psychological reports and school records; consult with allied professionals (e.g. school counselors, therapists) and with the parents for additional background and family information. We then recommend appropriate schools and/or programs. HFS contacts these schools/programs, discussing the student's appropriateness as a possible applicant.
The parents discuss their impressions with HFS and make their decision.
HFS maintains a liaison role until application processes are completed.
At times a two-stage process is necessary. The first stage could be a short-term outdoor therapeutic or therapeutic wilderness program used for initial intervention and/or assessment, in order to help prepare for the longer-term residential school placement that follows.
When this two-stage process is employed, we maintain regular contact with staff at the short-term program in order to help further identify the client's needs.
When the student is located in our local area (Bend, Oregon), or within driving distance, we may visit the student while they attend their short-term program.
We are also available to travel outside the state when a family makes this request. Short-term programs help clarify the core issues, and we are then able to approach the next-step of treatment in a very effective way.
We then use this information to refine our recommendations for appropriate programs/schools that will follow the short-term program.
We then monitor the client's progress through the first year at the residential school (or longer when needed).
Horizon Family Solutions is able to arrange a wide spectrum of services for special-needs clients:
We are dedicated to each student's success and continue to monitor their progress. We are also available for follow-up consultation at any time.
Teen Intervention News Blog
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