Six months may seem like a short period of time, but it’s enough to turn a child’s life around and set them on a path to success. That’s according to the folks at UMFS who run the Therapeutic Treatment Services (TTS) program in Richmond Public Schools.
“It’s very intense since we only get six months at a time,” said Diehdre Gregory, director of the program that provides support to students with behavioral and emotional problems that are severe to the point that they are at risk of not being able to attend school.
The Medicaid-funded program works with students in six-month increments, providing services year-round. These include special camps during winter, spring and summer breaks.
Many of the students in the program have had problems with aggression or have gotten into trouble at school for getting into fights or for other inappropriate behavior.
“Our goal is in six months to get them to reach their goals,” explained Gregory. While specific goals may vary from student to student, overall the program aims to get students to display age-appropriate behaviors regardless of the setting they’re in, whether it be home, school or in the community.
As a result, the TTS program also expects to reduce suspensions of students in the program, and to improve their school attendance and time on task, ultimately resulting in improved grades and test scores.
Through the program, clinicians and behavior support counselors work with students at their schools as needed throughout the school day. Their day usually begins with helping each student transition from the bus to their school building. Interacting with the student early in the day also allows them to gauge each student’s mood to see if there is anything bothering them, any events that may have occurred that are upsetting them, and so on.
If so, the Behavior Support Counselor can offer behavioral support and help to “put out fires” before the student feels the need to act out in inappropriate ways.
“We work collaboratively with the family, schools, teachers, anyone significant in their lives,” said Gregory, not just individually with the student.
“We believe collaboration multiplies impact,” added Erica Mann, LCSW, Central Regional Community-Based Services Director.
Sometimes the root of the problem lies at home, Mann and Gregory 
explained. For example, one student was acting out, and after TTS investigated, the root cause was discovered. The student was coping with having a terminally ill parent and the family needed assistance.
“We switched focus to help the family get some things into place,” said Gregory.
But no matter the solution, the staff within the TTS program maintains the attitude of “never giving up on that kid and family,” explained Mann.
Last year, TTS celebrated its highest graduation rate yet of students moving on from fifth to sixth grade, said Gregory.
“We were really proud of those students,” said Mann. TTS even held a camp during the summer to help them prepare for the sixth grade as kind of a “booster shot.” Most of those students are now in the sixth grade and doing well.
TTS first began in August of 2009, and currently serves approximately 30-35 students annually at Woodville Elementary School, Miles Jones Elementary School, and Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School.
“They are awesome team members. They are a great addition to the OGB family. They are very flexible, and we appreciate them,” said Mary Townes, principal at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary of the TTS workers at her school.
Students can be referred to the TTS program by a teacher or parent. Once accepted into the program, each student is given an Independent Clinical Assessment through the Community Services Board to assess their needs so that the appropriate services can be provided. Services include positive behavior support, individual and group therapy, group counseling, crisis intervention, family counseling, and case coordination.
UMFS, as unwavering champions for children and families, believes every child deserves to reach their full potential.
For more information on Therapeutic Treatment Services in the Public Schools through UMFS, please visit http://www.umfs.org/school-based-services or contact Diehdre Gregory by phone: (804) 353-4461 ext 1323 or by email: [email protected].
Article provided by UMFS
