We will use this space to describe concerns communication with parents and referral sources.   We hope to develop this space in September and October 2008.  Until then, here are some issues to be included:

Parent communication:

• Parents are part of the team and should be involved in discussions of treatment strategy.

• Parents have right to approve or disapprove medication changes and educational course changes. 

• Safe arrival notification.

• See also Family Guidelines

Referral source communication:

• Schools and programs must not confuse referral sources with funding sources. Example: Schools funded by public school districts when the placement was guided by an educational consultant sometimes treat the school district as sole referral source.  This is inappropriate. 

• Referral sources have different communication needs.  Some make a referral and are done.  Others expect to function as case managers for the entire time the student /client is in treatment. 

• Reports to referral source must be full disclosure and candid. Reporting only good news is unacceptable. 

• Safe arrival phone call

Feedback is invited. We will  publish selected feedback.  Email FamilyLightResponse@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: No  program review, no matter how positive, is a blanket endorsement. No criticism is a blanket condemnation.  When we express our level of confidence in a school or program, that is our subjective opinion with which others might reasonably disagree.  When we assert something as fact, we have done our best to be accurate, but we cannot guarantee that all of our information is accurate and up to date. When we address compliance with our guidelines, you need to remember that these are only OUR guidelines -- not guidelines from an official source.  We have also set the bar very high, and do not expect any school or program to be in total compliance.  It is not appropriate to draw a conclusion of impropriety (or even failure to live up to conventional wisdom) from our lack of confidence in a school or program or from less than perfect conformity to our guidelines.  Some will say we expect too much. Readers are responsible for verifying accuracy of information supplied here prior to acting upon it. We are not responsible for inaccuracies.

 Last update August 29, 2008