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Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association
Address: 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 | Phone: (202) 336-5979 | Email: apaaccred@apa.org
General Information
Connections Academy East (CAE) is a private therapeutic day school in Lake Forest, Illinois (north suburbs of Chicagoland in Lake County) serving a diverse population of children, adolescents and young adults ages 6-22, who require an alternative therapeutic school program that is both educational and therapeutic due to significant special education and mental health concerns and needs. CAE is unique in its structure in that it serves both a population with developmental, emotional and behavioral challenges, as well as individuals with Autism educational eligibility or DSM Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD Level 1). CAE offers experiences with individual, group, and family therapy, risk assessment and crisis management with a diverse population of clients with developmental, emotional and behavioral challenges. CAE provides a therapeutic milieu with a full array of related services, CIC Interns have the opportunity to receive experience in consultation and multi-disciplinary team collaboration with professionals from the following disciplines: Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatric Services, School Health (Nursing) Services, Restorative Intervention Specialists, Vocational Counselors, Substance Abuse Counselors and Licensed Special Education Teachers.
Population
Connections Academy East has 13 classrooms consisting of 10 students in each classroom for approximately up to 130 students at any given time. All classes are taught by a Licensed Special Education Teacher who is supported by a Program Assistant (at least 1 to 5 staff to student ratio). CAE consists of 3 elementary classrooms, 5 middle school classrooms, and 5 high school classrooms. In other words, approximately 15% of clients are ages 6-10, 30% of clients are 11-13, and 55% of clients are ages 14-22.
Program Specifics:
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Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm
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June and July (Monday - Thursday schedule)
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Individual, Group, Family & Milieu Therapy
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Crisis Intervention & Risk Assessment
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2 hours of Individual Supervision weekly
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2.25-3 hours of Group Supervision weekly
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1.5 hours of Didactic Training per week (including topics of diversity, inclusion, ethics/legal, consultation, general Professional Development, evidence based practice, trauma informed practices, etc.)
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Staff Committee Involvement
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Monthly Family Therapy Seminar rotation
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Bi-weekly Family Therapy Supervision
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Bi-weekly Psychiatric Supervision
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Opportunity to provide informal supervision
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Interns conduct 2-3 assessments during the training year
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Work closely with the Diagnostic Program
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Optional Animal-Assisted Therapy with therapy dogs
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Participation in multidisciplinary meetings including: Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), Problem-Solving Team Meetings, etc. for the clients on your caseload
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Working as a valued member of a multidisciplinary team including: Educational Administrators, Special Education Teachers, Restorative Intervention Specialists, Psychiatrists, Art Therapists, Music Therapists, Substance Abuse Counselors, Speech & Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and other established Professionals in the Field
Contact Info:
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Connections Academy East (CAE)
300 S. Waukegan Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
224-544-5921
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Site Director
rtompkins@connectionsacademyeast.net
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Assistant Site Director