Integrated Risk Management Model for the Therapeutic Schools and Programs: Why the Risk is Worth Taking

Abstract

This article is the first of two written to focus attention on risk and behavior management in therapeutic schools as an ongoing process with key components and steps. The professional literature for public schools contains a large number of articles addressing risk and behavior management, but most possess limited application to therapeutic schools. These papers attempt to bridge this gap by outlining the characteristics of therapeutic schools and comparing risk management principles with other types of therapeutic programs. Demographics of the population served by therapeutic schools are described. The importance of experiential education in the therapeutic school is explored along with the role of risk and challenge in the learning process. Risk management and other useful terms are defined. An integrated risk management model is presented discussing risk assessment and analysis. Examples from the Mission Mountain School’s approach to integrated risk and behavior management is presented as an illustration of how the principles identified in the literature can be used to create an applied model of integrated risk and behavior management. Citations are referenced both as a resource and to stimulate thought and discussion. This paper is directed toward school administrators, clinical directors, and program directors seeking to understand the important concepts and theory of risk management. The integrated risk management model and concepts introduced in this paper may also help the referring professional or parents to better evaluate an individual program’s risk management approach and its suitability for different student profiles.