Appropriate criteria must be met for admission to Heritage School. We take the whole child and his or her life circumstances into consideration — a key factor in the Heritage success rate.

Heritage is more interested in the pathogenesis of the disorder in a particular troubled teen, and how it has affected his or her relationships with themselves and others, than in a diagnostic label per se. Decisions are based on the assessment of the interplay between the applicant’s presenting problems and current psychodynamics and the admissions reviewer’s assessment of the anticipated treatment at Heritage. All applicants are screened for appropriateness prior to admission.

The admission criteria are:

• Age at admission must be no younger than 12, and not older than 17-1/2, years of age.
• Student I.Q. range is 70 or higher. Exceptions to this will be considered if supported by corroborative data.
• The primary diagnosis must indicate moderate to severe psychiatric/ emotional/ behavioral difficulty, which is; a) of longstanding duration, having persisted for a period of one year or longer; b) has not shown significant response to acute care or less-intensive therapeutic intervention, such as outpatient care; or c) is not manageable within the adolescent's own home or in a non-residential setting (i.e., a less-restrictive setting).
• Student is not physically handicapped in such a manner as to restrict the normal physical activity which is part of the Heritage program.
• Student does not present medical problems requiring full-time medical    supervision.
• English-language capability.
• A persistent pattern of functioning and conduct that seriously interferes with; a) the student's ability to formulate and/or maintain primary relationships; b) his or her capacity to function in a less-restrictive environment; and c) the basic rights and needs of others, or of major age-appropriate societal norms and expectations.

For applicants requiring other methods of treatment and/or intervention not offered by Heritage School, we provide appropriate alternative referrals, recommendations and resources. Jerry Spanos, CEO of Heritage School, may consider approval of applicants who may not meet all of our qualifying criteria, on a case basis.

TYPICAL QUALIFYING CLINICAL CONDITIONS

• Mood Disorders: Major depression, Bipolar Disorder, Systhync Disorder, Depressive Disorders NOS.
• Disruptive/Behavior Disorder: Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
• Schizophrenia/Thought Disorders: Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform,  schizoaffective, Brief Psychotic Disorder, Delusional Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders: Post-traumatic Stress, Obsessive-Compulsive, Social Phobia, Acute Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety, Avoidant, Panic
• Substance-Related Disorders: Alcohol, Cannabis, Cocaine, Hallucinogens, Inhalants, Opoid, Sedative, Poly Substances, Substance Induced Disorders, Dependence and Abuse
• Personality Disorder Features: Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Avoidant,  Dependent, Schizoid, Schizotypol.
• Learning Disorders: Reading, Mathematics, Written Expression.
• Other Conditions That May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention: Relational Problems, Academic Problems, Identity Problems, Noncompliance With Treatment, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Impulse Control Problems, Eating Disorders in Remission, Dissociative Features, Asperger's Disorder

DISQUALIFYING CONDITIONS

• Applicant needs a greater level of locked-door security.
• Applicant does not need this level of care (Heritage unnecessarily restrictive)
• Applicant is severely mentally retarded
• Physical risk of applicant is too great to themselves, other clients, or staff (assaultive or combative)
• Applicant is non-ambulatory, blind, or deaf
• Applicant has been diagnosed with an active communicable infectious disease (i.e., tuberculosis, hepatitis, etc.)
• Applicant is an arsonist
• Applicant requires detoxification
• Applicant has an acute psychotic disorder

ADMISSIONS
Mary Ann Smith
Director of Admissions
(801) 226-4605

Susie Fell
Admissions Officer
(801) 226-4606

Linda Jackman
Admissions Assistant
(801) 226-4642


DOWNLOADABLE APPLICATION

Application  (PDF form can be filled in and printed. The information entered in the application can't be saved and will be erased automatically when the file closes.) updated January 2008
Supplemental Information   (Includes data sheet, frequently asked questions, vaccine information, hair and clothing guidelines, medication questions) updated October 2007


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