Combatting Addiction & Supporting Recovery in Educational Settings:

RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOLSKristen K. Harper, M.Ed., LCDC

Executive Director, Association of Recovery Schools

A. Educate students in recovery from substance use or co-occurring disorders.B. Meet state requirements for awarding a secondary school diploma.C. All students enrolled be in recovery and working a program of recovery as determined by the student and the schools.D. Available to any student in recovery from substance use or co-occurring disorders who meets state or district eligibility requirements for attendance.

RECOVERY HIGH SCHOOLS:Secondary schools designed specifically for students recovery from substance use disorder or dependency

Overview

• First RHS was The Phoenix School in Maryland (Est. 1979)• Minnesota – P.E.A.S.E. Academy, 26 years in operation• ARS founded in 2002 (Higher Ed and Secondary Education)• Explosion of recovery support from 2011-present = ARHE created• Approx. 1200 students enrolled in a RHS 2014-2015 35 Recovery High Schools Operating in 14 States 7 New School Efforts

ARS Accreditation Framework

OVERARCHING AREAS School Organization – Business Planning, School Leadership School Community – Target Population, Enrollment Diversity Recovery Practice – Relapse Prevention, Recovery – Oriented Climate,

Appropriate Training for Therapeutic Staff Educational Practices – Diploma, High Quality Curriculum, Data Driven

Instruction, Professional Development and Evaluation, Special Education, Post-Secondary Transition

PROCESS• Six months: Self-Reflective Report – 5 Chapters • 3 Day: Site Visit from ARS Team• 3 Months: Final Report

Archway Academy Outcomes

• 169 students enrolled (open rolling admission)• 83% recovery rate (complete abstinence the entire school year)• 92% school attendance• 98% of seniors graduated• 45 graduates in 2015• 94% of graduates attending college

* Archway Academy statistics 2014-2015 school year

Ostiguy High-www.ostiguyhigh.org

Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD) in collaboration with theGavin Foundation and Boston Public Schools opened William J. Ostiguy High School in September 2006. The school integrates a high school academic curriculum with the development of supportive life skills necessary for students in recovery.

The Model• Academic Competency• Recovery Support • Family Support• Successful Community Integration• Comprehensive Care Management and Resource Management• School Collaboration• RHS Continuing Care

Providing a Safe, Sober, and Supportive School Environment for Youth in Recovery

Providing a Safe, Sober, and Supportive School Environment for Youth in RecoveryAn Ostiguy High student:

• Interviews with the Ostiguy High School team prior to admission • Achieves 30 days of sobriety prior to enrollment• Consents to participate in random drug testing while enrolled• Commits to working an outside plan of recovery • Demonstrates commitment to academic achievement in pursuit of a high school diploma

• Tuition-free, Indiana public charter high school for students in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

• The only recovery high school in Indiana. • Provides a supportive community for

students to maintain their sobriety and receive a Core 40 diploma.

• One of five recovery high schools in the United States accredited by the Association of Recovery High Schools.

• Hope Academy opened in 2006, has served 400 plus students, and has graduated over

110.

Day at Hope• Before school Recovery Coach Contact Time• Monday & Friday Community Circles• 7 Academic Class Periods

– Average class size is 5-12– A Basic Skills course with recovery work

• Daily Student Resource Time (SRT)• Self-expression (T, Th)• Recovery and/or 12 Step Groups• LINK After School Recovery Support & Activities Program

Recovery High School to Collegiate Recovery:

Full Continuum of Support

• The Center for Students in Recovery (CSR) at The University of Texas at Austin.

• University High School (UHS), a UT Austin Charter School. • Located ½ mile apart, central part of UT Austin campus. • Mentorship program between high school and CSR students.• Shared sober social activities. • Frequent interaction and collaboration among both staff and

students. • Frequent interaction and collaboration between UHS, CSR, and the

greater Austin recovery community.

Website: www.recoveryschools.orgFacebook: Association of Recovery Schools

Twitter: @ARS_recoveryEmail: kharper@recoveryschools.org