Any residential treatment center needs to have a reputation of a place that students can feel accepted at all times. When they feel accepted, they become more engaged in the program. Throughout the years, Elevations RTC has worked on perfecting this process as much as possible. While every student is different and have different needs, engagement is a big part of what the program stands for.
How does Elevations RTC keep their students engaged? A strong community within the program is essential, but community support from the greater Salt Lake City area also matters. When students feel accepted, it is a win-win scenario for all.
Judgement-free zone
Elevations RTC focuses on making sure students from all walks of life feel accepted. No one is judged by gender, sexual orientation, skin color, or any other labels while on campus. Everyone enrolls at Elevations RTC for their own reasons, and a proven way to make life easier is to rely on the community.
Students get the opportunity to be themselves while stepping out of their comfort zone little by little. It never feels forced, which can cause some to hold back.
Finding what works
It is a challenge for some, but everyone has individual interests that grab their attention more than others. Elevations would love to have every individual discover this personally, but sometimes the staff needs to help. From testing to simple trial and error, finding a unique way to spend downtime can be a massive change for the better.
Some activities people fall in love with end up being lifelong passions. It is nice to have something like that to fall back on because some people are overwhelmed by trying to make it on their own. Developing some new habits can make a big difference for individuals.
Small, focused groups
Elevations RTC strives to have small groups on campus. There is a gender-inclusive aspect of the program, which mimics the same set up as a typical high school. There is a core group for each individual, but all peers on campus can interact and build friendships.
This is all done to make the transition back to school at home that much easier. Straying too far away from a typical high school setup can cause more harm than good when students transition back home. The high school on campus is fully accredited through AdvancED (an arm of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges).
Teachers at Elevations also enjoy these smaller groups. All teachers are certified in their subject area. Elevations RTC follows the state board of education requirements to work towards high school graduation like any other school.
Community roles
For a community to function, everyone needs to do their part. Students are assigned a team job ranging in responsibility to help the entire team function properly. There are jobs such as "Green Thumb" who water the plants, "Hefty" who takes out the garbage, and "Team Leader" who acts as a peer mentor and guides their team. By doing this, it helps to develop dependability and responsibility. These skills can then be transitioned to communities at home more easily.
Roles will change from time to time to give everyone different opportunities. Some students get into their job within the community, and it can even connect to a passion or hobby later on.
Extracurricular activities
Keeping with the typical school set up goes beyond the classroom and living quarters. There are also the extracurricular activities students can get involved in if they have a passion for it.
It is essential to have a balance in life, and there are team and individual opportunities to try. The unique setting in Utah allows for a wide array of outdoor activities in particular. Some have fallen in love with snowboarding, while others enjoy hiking, fishing, rafting, and more.
Elevations work to offer virtually any activity a student shows interest in pursuing. Different passions can be extremely enjoyable if they are appropriately encouraged.
