The Alternative to Suspension Program - Sertoma Centre

Alternatives
ALTERNATIVE TO SUSPENSION PROGRAM
Alternatives is a self‐pay early intervention program designed for adolescents and
teenagers between the ages of 13 to 18
who have recently
began to experiment with alcohol and
other drugs
and have experienced negative repercussions in the
school and classroom as a result.
The program is held over a period of three weeks with 2 hours of programming on the
dates listed below. All sessions are held
between 5 – 7pm. The Alternatives to Suspension Program operates during school months from November to July of
each year. Parents
are required to attend the last session to
obtain tools, tips and techniques.
• December 14, 15, 16
• January 18, 19, 20
• February 15, 16, 17
• March 15, 16, 17
• April 19, 20, 21
• May 17, 18, 19
• June 14, 15, 16
• July 12, 13, 14
The Intake Process is as follows:
• Students can be self‐referred or be referred by school personnel.
• Referral forms can be submitted in person, via email or fax.
• Phone calls from the referral source are also appropriate as referrals.
• Each student receives a Free Assessment by a licensed providerr – The assessment is completed prior to entry into the
program and typically costs $100 however the assessment fee is
waived upon
entry to the Alternatives Program.
Documents required for the Intake Session:
• Photo ID – State ID or School ID
• Signed Consent for Release of Information for the Referral Source/School
• Fee Payment ‐ Payment is required at the time of
service. Cash, check or credit cards are
accepted. The fee for the
Alternatives Program
is $150.00 payable at the
start of the program.
Points to Remember:
• The Redwood Counseling and Wellness Centre has
a zero tolerance policy. Adolescents are required to
report to the
program in a sober state.
• A parent or legal guardian must accompany the adolescent to the intake session.
• A parent or legal guardian must attend the last session of the program.
• All students who successfully complete the program will be given a certificatee of completion
For a free, confidential assessment or for more information on this or
any of the programs that will be offered at our new
Counseling and Wellness Centree call Carmel Browne at (708) 748‐1951, ext. 417 or via
email at cbrowne@sertomacentre.org.
4331
West Lincolnn Highway – Suite A, Matteson, IL. 60443, Phone: 708‐748‐1951, Fax: 708‐748‐1962

Fact Sheet For
Alternatives to
Suspension
Program
Redwood Counseling and Wellness Centre, a division of Sertoma Centre, Inc. is pleased to begin providing a variety of services
geared for adolescents known to be experimenting with alcohol and drugs.
The Alternatives to Suspension Program is for students who have been recently given a suspension from educational
institutions for utilizing illicit drugs or alcohol. In a three part series workshop students and parents are educated and
informed about the negative ramifications of drug and alcohol use.
The Alternatives to Suspension Program was developed as an aid to school professionals and as an alternative to
suspension and detention. Research facts point out the following:
• Emerging research indicates that suspension and detention are not likely to change the inappropriate behavior of the
students involved (Skiba, Peterson & Williams, 1999, 1997).
• Minority students and students placed in special education classes are disportionately represented in school
punishment (Wu, Pink, Crain & Moles, 1982; Townsend, 2000; Skiba, Michael, Nardo & Peterson, 2002).
• Suspension appears to make the suspended student’s academic progress more difficult and may increase the
likelihood of the student dropping out of school or having other negative outcomes (Peterson, 1999).
Students who have been suspended for alcohol and drug use can be referred directly to the program. They will be able to
register for date most convenient for them and their families. Parents will be required to attend the final session. Each
workshop is held as a three part session with each session scheduled for two hours.
Sessions will be held on the following dates:
• December 14, 15, 16 • March 15, 16, 17 • June 14, 15, 16
• January 18, 19, 20 • April 19, 20, 21 • July 12, 13, 14
• February 15, 16, 17 • May 17, 18, 19
Each three session series cost $150.00 per family unit. Interested individual should contact Carmel Browne at
(708) 748 – 1951, ext 417 for referral information and to schedule a free assessment.
References
Skiba, R., Michael, R., Nardo, A., & Peterson, R.L. (December, 2002). The color of discipline: Sources of racial and gender disproportionality in
school punishment. The Urban Review, 34(4), 317-342.
Skiba R.J., Peterson, R.L. & Williams, T. (January, 1999). The dark side of zero tolerance: Can punishment lead to safe schools? Phi Delta Kappan,
80(5), 372-381.
Skiba R.J., Peterson, R.L. & Williams, T. (August, 1997). Office referrals and suspension: Disciplinary intervention in middle schools. Education and
Treatment of Children, 20(3), 1-21.
Townsend, B. (2000). Disproportionate discipline of African American children and youth: Culturally-responsive strategies for reducing school
suspensions and expulsions. Exceptional Children, 66, 381-391.
Wu, S.C., Pink, W.T., Crain, R.L., & Moles, O. (1982). Student suspension: A critical reappraisal. The Urban Review, 14, 245-303.
4331 West Lincoln Highway – Suite A, Matteson, IL. 60443, Phone: 708‐748‐1951, Fax: 708‐748‐1962

Alternatives
ALTERNATIVE TO SUSPENSION PROGRAM
REFERRAL/INTAKE FORM
DATE:
STUDENT INFORMATION
Name:
Address:
City/ State/Zip:
Phone:
GUARDIAN INFORMATION
Guardian Name:
Address:
State:
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Name:
Relationship to consumer:
Name:
Relationship to consumer:
Date of Birth:
Phone:
City:
Zip:
Phone:
Phone:
REFERRING PERSON/SCHOOL INFORMATION (complete only as applicable)
Name/Title:
School:
Address:
City/ State/Zip:
Phone:
Fax:
Please return the completed referral/intake form to: Carmel Browne, Mental Health Services Manager, Redwoods
Counseling and Wellness Centre, PHONE: 708­748­1951 ext. 417; FAX: 708­748­1962, Email:
cbrowne@sertomacentre.org.
4331 West Lincoln Highway – Suite A, Matteson, IL. 60443, 708‐748‐1951, 708‐748‐1962