Student Handbook - NW Services

NWS STUDENT HANDBOOKSECOND To change host families is a decision that is taken very seriously by thestaff of NWS. Host family change decisions are made by your LC after they have discussedthis with the program manager. Before this decision is made, your LC will want to obtain further informationfrom you, your host family and your school. First they will try to help youwork things out with your current host family with a meeting. At this point, be honest about the problems that you are having. In many cases, NWS staff will determine that you may not change hostfamilies, particularly if you are having behavioral problems. Students whohave severe behavioral problems or who have broken the law may bedismissed from the program without the opportunity of a new host family. Host family changes are made because there may be no other solution andbecause NWS staff has reason to believe that you will succeed in a secondfamily.THIRD: The decision is made by NWS staff! This decision takes time, often up to three weeks or sometimes longer. Giveyour LC time to screen another potential host family. In the meantime, while you are remaining with your present host family,please behave in a gracious manner, do not gossip about your host family toothers, do not blame it all on the host family because problems always havetwo sides, and you will win support by behaving maturely and with respecttoward everyone involved. A strong effort is made to keep you in the same school and community. It isextremely rare to move a student to another county or state.FOURTH: Leave your host family gracefully. Pay all unpaid bills. Return all items that do not belong to you. Change your address through the post officeso your former host family does not continueto receive your mail. Also change your addresswith your school office. Send a thank you note to your former host family. Do not gossip about members of the family. It can cause feelings to get hurtand damage your reputation in the community.Revised December 200919