Young Mothers and Interim Health Academy

(YMIHA)

OACES Building30 Hart Street, 4th Floor

Rochester, New York 14605Telephone: 454-1095

Fax: 262-8957

2010-2011

Young Mothers Enrollment Process

Enrollment Eligibility

Maternity students may enroll in YMIHA at any point during the school year in which they are expected to deliver (through the end of the 5th marking period).

Students will enroll during the 2010-2011 school year if their expected due date falls between September 2, 2010 and August 31, 2011.

Forms Needed for Transferring a Maternity Student to YMIHA

Counselor Referral Form (Form Y-1)

Course Requirement Form (Form Y-2)

RCSD Voluntary Transfer Form

Verification of Pregnancy

School Counselor’s Responsibilities:

The School Counselors from the student’s home school must: Complete the Counselor Referral Form

(Form Y-1) Explain YMIHA requirements and

expectations (including school uniform tops and cell phone policy?)

Complete the Course Requirements Form (Form Y-2)

Fax or email all completed forms to Principal, Mrs. Ellison (fax: 262-8957).

Principal’s Responsibilities: Voluntary Transfer paperwork will be completed at the

student’s home school.

Obtain verification of pregnancy with ESTIMATED DUE DATE from student’s physician.

Fax a copy of the signed Voluntary Transfer paperwork and verification of pregnancy to YMIHA (262-8957).

Send the original paperwork to YMIHA via the courier.

YMIHA’s Principal, Mrs. Ellison, will sign off on the transfer and we will make a phone call to the student to notify her of her start date at YMIHA.

Interim Health Academy Enrollment Process

Enrollment Eligibility

This program offers emotional and academic support for students in grades 7-12 who demonstrate significant school avoidance and excessive absenteeism due to, e.g. trauma, mental health issues, medical conditions and/or post traumatic stress disorder.

The goals of the program are to: Re-engage students in school Help students develop confidence in themselves and

their academic skills Assist students in re-entering a comprehensive high

school

Forms Needed to Enroll an Interim Health Academy Student

IHA Referral form Parts I and II completed by a school official (school social worker, school psychologist, school counselor, administrator, etc.)

IHA Referral form Part III completed by a mental health care provider

Supporting documentation for the student’s school avoidance behaviors (doctor’s notes, psychological, psychiatric and educational evaluations, and/or police reports etc.)

Program Procedures Students must continue to participate in mental

health services in the community on a consistent basis.

Students must improve attendance while enrolled in YMIHA.

Students will participate in weekly skill building sessions, for coping with stress/anxiety,?? with the school social workers.

All students will automatically be returned to their home school upon completion of the school year in which they enroll.

YMIHA Special Education Services If a student has an IEP, receives Special

Education services and is going to be transferred to YMIHA:

Homeschool must send all required paperwork (see slide 4 or slide 9)

Notification will be emailed to the CASE and Principal if YMIHA will be able to accommodate the level of disability in the program. This notification determines whether

an SSR needs to be held.

Special Education (continued)

Placement and date of placement change is determined by the Office of Student Placement. We cannot accept students in our

program until we receive the Placement Notice.

The student must continue to attend his/her home school until YMIHA receives the Placement Notice and informs the student of his/her start date.

Young Mothers and Interim Health Academy: Program Overview

Enrollment Students are dually enrolled in their home school and

in YMIHA (allowing students to participate in activities offered at the home school, e.g. proms and graduation ceremonies. Dual enrollment will also create a win-win for graduation rates, attendance, etc.).

The school day begins at 8:30 am and ends at 2:55 pm (Wednesdays are early dismissal days; dismissal is at 1:57 pm).

Overview (cont.)

o YMIHA offers courses for students in grades 7-12.

o Breakfast and lunch are available for students (if a student is eligible for free or reduced price lunch at her home school, the same will apply at YMIHA).

o Tours are available by contacting our School Counselor, Mrs. Higgins-Marshall (454-1095 ext. 4130).

Course Offerings

In most cases, YMIHA will match the core courses students are enrolled in at their home schools. English, Math, Science, Social Studies

Electives offered: Computers, Career & Financial Management, American Sign Language, Clothing & Textiles, Foods & Nutrition, Studio Art, Studio in Drawing & Painting, and Health.

Physical Education is offered as Adaptive P.E.

All Young Mothers students are enrolled in a Parenting course.

Seniors YMIHA does accept seniors.

Seniors graduate with their home schools (we do conduct a graduation ceremony, but no diplomas are awarded). YMIHA does NOT award diplomas.

(repetitive???)

Seniors are eligible to participate in their home school senior activities (yearbooks, prom, graduation

ceremony, etc.) if they meet the home school’s eligibility requirements.

Attendance Students will attend their home schools until notified by

YMIHA of their start date.

Once students enter YMIHA they will continue at YMIHA through the end of that academic school year.

A student will receive Home/Hospital Tutoring with a certified teacher during her maternity leave (6-8 weeks) so she can continue to remain on track academically.

All students return to YMIHA at the end of their maternity leave.

At the end of the academic school year, all YMIHA students will automatically return to their home schools.

Transportation

Young Mothers Students in our program will use the

Regional Transit System (RTS).

A student must provide her own transportation to YMIHA on her first day.

At the end of the student’s first day, she will be provided a new RTS Photo ID pass.

Transportation (continued)

Interim Health Academy Students in the Interim Health Academy

will receive door-to-door transportation to alleviate the stressors associated with transportation to and from their home schools.

If transportation is listed as an accommodation on the student’s IEP, then CSE must contact transportation to make arrangements following the Special Scheduling Review meeting.

Uniform Policy

The YMIHA has a uniformed top policy and all students are required to wear a uniform consisting of a school issued T-Shirt. These tops are to be worn daily.

The cost of the uniform T-Shirts are $6.00 for sizes S-XL; $7.00 sizes 2XL-4XL (sweatshirts will be available soon. More info. to come).

Order forms are available upon student’s entrance into YMIHA.

Unique Academic Features of the YMIHA

Schedules are uniquely created for each student.

Smaller classes are provided for individualized attention.

Students are prepared to take/retake any necessary Regents and NYS exams.

AIS is provided during the school day.

Unique Support Features of the YMIHA

Nurse’s services are provided geared specifically for students who are pregnant and parenting, and to address mental health concerns.

Each student participates in a weekly group counseling session that focuses on life skills.

Students have the opportunity to “purchase” items from the Baby Boutique with “baby bucks”. “Baby bucks” are given for good attendance, academic performance, good citizenship, etc.

The YWCA, YPSS (Young Parent Support Services) is located “on site” and provides each student assistance as needed with DHS (DSS) issues, daycare, acquiring baby items, etc.

Prenatal Care At School Program(PAS Program)

Students will receive weekly, group “in-school” prenatal care (basic) and education for those who receive their obstetric care from one of the following health care providers, e. g. RAMP, RGH and Family Medicine; Eliminates the need for students to leave school

early or miss school entirely and travel for basis prenatal appointments.

Contact Carol Griswold, School Nurse, at 454-1095 ext. 4142 or email ympasprogram@gmail.com for more information.

Questions?

Please contact: Laurel Avery-DeToy, Assistant Principal

Laurel.Avery-DeToy@rcsdk12.org 454-1095 ext. 4250

Michelle Higgins-Marshall, School Counselor Michelle.Higgins-Marshall@rcsdk12.org 454-1095 ext. 4130

Gomel Breedlove, School Social Worker Gomel.Breedlove@rcsdk12.org 454-1095 ext. 4020