SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The addition of two new child and adolescent programs in the Sylacauga region is making a difference to students and families. AltaPointe’s school-based therapy program has been introduced into the Talladega County Schools, Talladega City Schools, Coosa County Schools, Sylacauga City Schools, Randolph County Schools and Clay County Schools.
School-based therapy helps children overcome behavioral, emotional or social problems that can interfere with their success at school and at home. “Having a therapist located in the schools allows students to interact with the therapist regularly and helps alleviate transportation, financial and social stigma issues,” said Brandy Richardson, AltaPointe’s associate clinical director for the Sylacauga region.
Charla DeLeo, Ed.D., Clay County School’s Special Education Coordinator, said, “Without AltaPointe’s school-based mental health services, many of our students would never receive the clinical support they so desperately need.” Blair Tindell, a Central Coosa school counselor, agreed. “School-based therapy has been a wonderful addition, and I have seen positive results from the collaboration between the teachers, counselors and the therapeutic services the students are receiving,” she said.
The response to AltaPointe’s day treatment program in the Talladega and Sylacauga city schools has been equally successful. “The day treatment program has been just amazing,” said Wendy B. Arnold, RTI specialist with Sylacauga City Schools. “We are seeing so many improvements in our students who attend, not only emotionally but academically as well. We are so thankful for our partnership.”
The day treatment program currently works with students at the end of the school day and also during school breaks. AltaPointe’s goal is to expand service hours and locations.
AltaPointe provides school-based therapy to children in Mobile, Baldwin, and Washington counties along its Gulf Coast Region. Overall, AltaPointe has nearly 50 school-based therapists, in more than 130 schools in twelve districts across its seven-county service area.
