Therapeutic Learning Center

The Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) is a collaboration between DCMO BOCES and the Children’s Home of the Wyoming Conference (CHOWC) that offers the Crossroads and Lighthouse programs. The TLC provides students and their families with support with emotional and behavioral issues that interfere with the learning process. A student candidate for either program tends to exhibit the behaviors that interfere with their ability to interact in a positive manner with community members, peers, parents, and educators. These exhibited behaviors have a negative affect on their own ability to focus in an educational setting.

Staff members at the Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) are trained using the trauma-sensitive techniques developed under the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention System (TCI). This approach promotes a safe environment to deescalate potential crisis situations encountered by the student. The staff members coach the students, as well as the parents, on the observed behaviors with the mindset of implementing coping skills and strategies that reduce withdrawal or conflict.

CHOWC provides counseling and care management services to students and their families enrolled in the TLC programs. Parents/guardians of students in the TLC receive information and coaching on acquiring the assistance of resources outside of the program such as local behavioral health and any relevant outside agencies to assist with the needs of the student and family. The progress of a student in the TLC is reported to parents, their home districts, and any service providers with a goal to transition the student into a less restrictive educational setting.

Contact

Sara Stafford
Director of Special Education

Kyle Boeltz
Coordinator of Special Education

Lena Blackman
Administrative Assistant
(607) 865-2552 

Resources

TLC Student Application

Lighthouse

Lighthouse is a temporary (30/60/90 days)program for students that have experienced recent issues with trauma that result in an interruption in the learning process. Home districts or the educational program prior to entering Lighthouse provide the academic content, while BOCES and CHOWC provide support with behaviors and coping skills. Meetings or “Check-ins” with parents, teachers, administrators, and related service providers are facilitated by the TLC to communicate progress of the student with goals of transitioning from the Lighthouse program.

Goals

  • INCREASE self-regulation and academic focus

  • DECREASE disruptive and harmful behaviors

  • RETURN students to their academic program with skills to manage their own behavior and be successful.

Characteristics

  • Intensive behavioral support

  • Minimal transitions or distractions

  • Embedded career development activities

  • Instruction and coaching on behavioral and self regulation skills

Crossroads

Crossroads is a year to year program, for students in grades sixth through eighth that have long term behavioral issues that interfere with their ability to learn in their educational setting. Students receive their academics at BOCES with emphasis on behavioral and coping skills. CHOWC provides support for the student/ classroom with counseling services. The program utilizes project based learning with an application or hands-on approach to learning.

Goals

  • INCREASE coping and self-regulation skills

  • DECREASE disruptive and harmful behaviors impacting learning

  • RETURN to students to their academic program with skills to manage their own behavior and be successful

Characteristics

  • Group and individual therapy

  • Instruction on personal care and emotional regulation

  • Intensive coaching on behavioral

  • Minimal transitions or distractions

  • Community and family support