About the Program
The Cape May County Special Services School District and Cape Counseling have joined together to develop this unique program to actively and collaboratively address the educational and therapeutic needs of students with emotional disabilities in a holistic, intensive, and comprehensive environment.
The overall goal of the program is to assist students with behavioral health challenges access the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, while preparing them and their families to develop an appropriate, successful and sustainable life style.
The ultimate goal for our students will be to transition them from this therapeutic environment to a more traditional education environment when appropriate.
About the Participating Agencies |
The Cape May County Special Services provides a wide range of programs and services to special education students, families and school districts throughout Cape May County.
The district has a number of specialized programs and services to accommodate a varied student population that includes students identified as behavior disabled. In addition to an educational curriculum correlated to the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, services include social skills instruction, assistive technology, behavior modification, sensory integration, water therapy, physical education, art and music. |
Cape Counseling has been providing and promoting superior behavioral healthcare in the community for over 20 years. Since 1979, it has been the leading provider of behavioral health services through responsiveness to the community, and holistic, comprehensive and state of the art approaches. Cape Counseling, with a heart in the present and an eye to the future, is committed to strengthening relationships and building foundations of hope. |
About the Students
The FOCUS program at Ocean Academy is for students between the ages of 8 and 14 years old with behavior disabilities who are in need of extensive therapeutic services to be successful in an educational setting. The program is self-contained and will continue through 6 p.m. The FOCUS program at Cape May County High School targets students who are in need of extensive therapeutic services from a variety of educational programs in the school. The educational and therapeutic aspects of the program will unite with groups assigned either two or three days per week in the afternoon. Students will have the option of remaining until 6 p.m.
About the Staff
Teachers of the Handicapped
Teacher/School Aides
School Social Worker
Psychiatrist
Masters level therapists
Counselors
Partial Care staff
About the Funding
The educational component of the program will be funded through tuition to CMCSSSD paid for by the LEA’s. The partial care component will be funded through Medicaid, Division of Child Behavioral Services Funding and other third parties.
About the Program Structure
Students will begin their school day at 8:45 a.m. with the CMCSSSD staff addressing the educational/therapeutic goals and objectives from the students’ IEP’s.
By 12:30 the Partial Care staff will join with the CMCSSSD instructional staff creating a joint instructional/therapeutic setting.
At 2:45 the Partial Care component of the program will begin which includes treatment, dinner and transportation home at 6 p.m.
About the Program Components
Education
Instruction in the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards using a multi-sensory approach emphasizing the identified learning styles of each student. Instruction in Social Decision Making and Problem Solving Skills will be an integral component of the educational program.
Partial Care
Will include experiential learning, adventure based counseling, life skills teaching, group individual and family counseling, medication management as appropriate to each child with parental permission. Support students in the management of symptoms and behaviors to develop skills critical for ongoing successful achievement in their reaching their education and person goals.
For Additional Information Please Feel Free to Contact via E-mail
Margaret Lynn, Principal of Ocean Academy
Lizabeth Buoro, Principal of Cape May County High School
Judy Lincoln, Supervisor of Related Services
Click Here to Download FOCUS Program Brochure
