THE PROGRAM
For most parents, sending their child away from home is difficult at
best. Their reluctance of sending their son to geographically distant
treatment centers is underlined with a fear of losing contact with the
youth and thereby, further jeopardizing an already fragile parent-child
relationship.
Ideally, the optimal treatment program is located within a stones-throw
from the parents’ residence. The reality, however, is quite different.
Children are placed routinely across the country to match the adolescent
with the most appropriate program.
Sometimes, the ideal match-up of child and treatment setting, is located
outside the continental United States. Coral Reef Academy is a residential
treatment setting where the “building blocks” are put together in a
truly unique fashion and make an optimal match between program and the
“right” child.
What are those “building blocks”?
Cultural Emersion
At the Coral Reef Academy, cultural emersion is not merely a gimmick,
it is a reality. The treatment takes place in the surroundings of the
Polynesian culture with its warmth, openness and community mindedness.
Not only are the majority of the child-care staff native Samoans, but
the students are “consumers” and “contributors” to the culture. The
cultural environment of Samoa is not cluttered with the “noise” of a
fast paced western city. Students at the Coral Reef Academy benefit
from a culture that places great importance on communal living, family
relationships, and respect for the elders. In Samoa, the false trappings
of the pop-culture fades into the background allowing the foreground
to come into focus; namely, that it is not “image” that counts, but
how peacefully you can live with yourself and others.
Psychotherapy
At the Coral Reef Academy, each student benefits from individual,
group and family therapy. All therapy is provided by a trained therapist.
Like many other staff members, these therapists live in close proximity
to the Academy. They don’t simply appear on campus when it’s time for
them to meet with the students, but are an integral part to the activity
for daily living including meal time interactions, recreational and
leisure activities. In short, therapists function as role-models and
shape behavior through ongoing casual interaction with the students.
Education
Just as Coral Reef Academy has a strong therapeutic component to
its program, it also has a vigorous academic program in place. Although
Coral Reef Academy provides the facility and the staff, we rely on several
accredited academic institutions to provide curriculum. Each student
works with a teacher in executing his or her educational plan, moving
towards high school graduation.
Recreational Activity
The tropical forest, the beach, the rugby or the soccer field,
along with the gym and weight room make for endless opportunities of
recreational, leisure and outdoor adventure. Snorkeling, wave-running
and other water sports are on tap on a regular basis. Exploring the
rain forest, sitting in a cool pool at the bottom of a waterfall and
swimming in a hidden blue lagoon are not just dreams of a school boy,
but are a reality.
