The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) is a
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
trade organization of
therapeutic schools,
residential treatment programs,
wilderness programs, outdoor therapeutic programs, young adult programs, and home-based residential programs for
adolescents
Adolescence () is a transitional stage of human physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood (typically corresponding to the age of majority). Adolescence is usually associated with ...
and young adults with emotional and behavioral difficulties.
NATSAP is not an
accrediting or licensing body. In order to be members, schools and programs are required to be in full compliance with NATSAP's published ''Ethical Principles'' and ''Principles of Good Practice''. The organization publishes a professional
journal
A journal, from the Old French ''journal'' (meaning "daily"), may refer to:
*Bullet journal, a method of personal organization
*Diary, a record of personal secretive thoughts and as open book to personal therapy or used to feel connected to onesel ...
, the ''Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs'', conducts conferences and workshops, and publishes a directory of its members.
History
It was formed in January 1999 by the founders of six programs within the "
troubled teen industry
In the United States, the troubled teen industry (also known as TTI) is a broad range of youth residential programs aimed at struggling teenagers. The term encompasses various facilities and programs, including youth residential treatment centers, ...
," and its board of directors consists of program owners and
educational consultant An educational consultant (EC), sometimes referred to as an independent educational consultant (IEC), is an advisor who helps parents and either traditional students or non-traditional students with educational planning for college and graduate sch ...
s. As of 2021, all but one of those founding six programs have been shut down in the ensuing years for a variety of reasons, including child abuse, neglect, licensing violations, and successful class action lawsuits.
In
United States House Committee on Education and Labor
United may refer to:
Places
* United, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community
* United, West Virginia, an unincorporated community
Arts and entertainment Films
* ''United'' (2003 film), a Norwegian film
* ''United'' (2011 film), a BBC Two f ...
hearings in October 2007, NATSAP Director and
Spring Ridge Academy owner Jan Moss Courtney stated that the organization had no process for checking up on this compliance, nor correcting any programs that stray from these guidelines.
Notable schools and programs
*
Aspen Achievement Academy
*
Diamond Ranch Academy
*
Carlbrook School
*
CEDU
*
Élan School
*
Hidden Lake Academy
*
Logan River Academy
*
Provo Canyon School
Further reading
* Rimer, Sara. "DESPERATE MEASURES -- A special report.; Embattled Parents Seek Help, at Any Cost" *The New York Times*, Sept, 10, 2001, https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/17/business/a-business-built-on-the-troubles-of-teenagers.html
References
External links
NATSAP official website
{{Troubled teen industry
Organizations established in 1999
United States schools associations
Mental health organizations based in Maryland
1999 establishments in the United States
Education companies of the United States
Non-profit organizations based in the United States
Professional associations based in the United States
Educational organizations based in Maryland
Trade associations based in the United States