Logical Choice has been granted approval status by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to be an External Service Provider under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Section 1003 (g) School Improvement Grants (SIG). Logical Choice recognizes the ramification of positive social, emotion and mental well-being as a precursor to optimal academic outcomes for at-risk students. In urban areas students who are juveniles between the ages of 7-17 with behavioral problems are endanger of entering into the juvenile justice system; as defined in the Wayne County Ordinance 96-86 [Revised] 2-16-96. The Logical Choice Intervention Team (LCIT) is prepared to meet the fore-mentioned challenges with a proven record of success. Logical Choice’s principles have operated programs since 2008 that have assisted over 1,000 students, ages 7-17 and their parents. Success of the programs had compelling achievements in academic, cognitive skills, behavior and self-esteem.
The Mental Health Component that we provide, coupled with Behavioral Interventions juxtaposed with the power of Mentoring and Family-School partnership (Title I, Section 1118, Parental Involvement: NCLB 2001 Act) are significant in improving student achievement. Title I, Part A, section 1118, identifies critical points in the process of improving teaching and learning where parents and the community can intervene and assist in school improvement.
Indicator 1: AIM (Alternative Intervention Method) utilizes a holistic approach to bridge human service care through counseling to youths who exhibit problems with school and home. The primary goal is for students to “read at grade level” and engage parents in their child’s education according to No Child Left Behind (NCLB Act 2001, Section 1118).
Indicator 2: The Case Management Model uses specific treatment interventions that are based on the identified needs of the youths. Mental Health Clinicians and Substance Abuse Counselors coordinate all services, such as anger management, substance abuse, human sexuality, social development issues, problem solving and special interest areas.
Indicator 3: Academic Success for at-risk students is based on two pilot programs, “Group Mentoring” and “In School Suspension” at the New Dixon Learning Academy. Logical Choice provided the students in the program the opportunity to participate in group mentoring that involved academic enrichment, tutoring, self-esteem building, and team building exercises. The In School Suspension Program (ISSP) offered incentives and sanctions as part of the program. The incentives offered were for improvement in attendance, grades and behavior.
Indicator 4: Career Development Program meets the Michigan Department of Education Standards and Expectation (Career Technical Education) and connects at-risk students through programming that include group based workshops and seminars that consist of career assessments, job career industry research, career plans, resume writing, job interviewing, job retention, customer service training and job shadowing.
Professional Development: In addition, job-embedded professional development produces enduring effects when it is matched to parent education according to Title I Parental Involvement, the school curriculum, state standards, assessment and student learning. The Logical Choice Intervention Team(LCIT) has been successful since 2008 providing job-embedded professional development services to local school agencies for parents, teachers, principals, leadership teams, and school staff using the model “Motivational Interviewing Strategies.” We involve parents in training because parent education is critical in the academic success of students and there is a measure of accountability for parents of at-risk students.
Parents: In high poverty urban areas where the drop-out rate is high and students are under performing in school, there is a need for extra support to exceed.
Teachers and Support Staff: The Logical Choice Intervention Team will support teachers and the support staff by implementing job-embedded professional development strategies (JEPD).
Principals: Successful job-embedded professional development requires principals to see them-selves as leaders of learning and as designers of structures that support high levels of learning by being the facilitator of adult learning (Sparks, 1997).
Leadership Team: The school leadership team facilitates the school community in the development of the School Improvement Plan.
Monitoring Success of Professional Development: Data that will support Logical Choice’s successful performance evaluation will be delivered in the form of feedback collected as inputs and outcomes.
Group Mentoring: Youth will interact in peer-supported interventions with the assistance of a mentor. All youth awaiting placement with MSU4HE on a individual mentor will be provided the opportunity to participate in group mentoring. Youth will engage in groups surrounding academic enrichment/tutoring, self-esteem building, team building exercises, community awareness projects, and role modeling. Each mentor will provide services to youth at a 10:1 ratio for a minimum of two hours per week.
Career Development: Logical Choice, LLC, is committed to strengthening and enhancing the quality of life for individuals, thus, connecting with youth through career development will be emphasized. Programming will include group based workshops and seminars that consist of career assessments, job career industry research, career plans, resume writing, job interviewing, job retention, customer service training, and job shadowing.
Case Management: Youth will be involved in the Program for a minimum of 12 weeks and of no longer than 24 weeks. Specific treatment interventions will be based on the identified needs of the referred youth. Logical Choice, LLC., Mental Health Clinicians/Case Managers will coordinate all services identified within each case plan and provide individual home based, group and/or family counseling. Specialized counseling groups will address the needs of youth with similar problem areas such as anger management, substance abuse, human sexuality, social development issues, problem solving and special interest areas.
Family Outreach: Logical Choice, LLC., is committed to strengthening and enhancing the quality of family life for individuals and families, thus, connecting with family members will always be emphasized. Programming will include home-based counseling for enrolled youth as well as the entire family as a part of treatment intervention. The parent / guardian are sought as an active participant in case planning. Mental Health and or Substance Abuse Clinicians/Case Managers home visits will allow for the completion of a bio-psychosocial assessment and intervention techniques in problem areas impacted by the home, school and community environments.
Recreation: Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of planned recreational activities during Logical Choice’s group program schedule. Activities will include table games, board games, guest speakers, drama and dance and sports in conjunction with referring resources.
Parent Education: Services consist of the participation of parents in regular, two-way, meaningful communication involving students’ academic learning, self-sufficiency, behavior modification and other school activities. The involvement includes 6-8 parenting sessions per semester with use of the Life Skills Model and Positive Action.
Summer Leadership Retreat: Youth that show improvement based on recorded outcomes will have the opportunity to participate in a weeklong summer leadership and youth development camp.
After Care Services: Upon program completion, Logical Choice will refer youth and families to pre-determined family support programs and resources in their residential area.
Individual and Group Therapy: Services are provided by referral for substance abuse / mental health related issues. Stages Matched interventions are utilized with evidence based modalities in therapeutic settings. Therapist are licensed and credentialed through MCBAP and The State of Michigan.
May be requested by school staff, parents, probation officers, local courts, and the community as a whole.
Confidentiality & Privacy Policy
The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.
Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.