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Beth
Ralph - Husband & Father
Quinn 16.4 - BP II, NVLD, GAD, Borderline Personality Traits and gifted
Invega Sustenna monthly maintenance dose TBD, Buspar 15mg AM/PM & Lunesta 2mg PRN
IEP for ED & SLD - In process of obtaining a new placement
Judah (standard poodle), Voldemort (snow corn snake), Salazar (okeetee corn snake), Malfoy (brown house snake) and Mad-Eye Moody (Sumatran red blood python)

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Beth
Ralph - Husband & Father
Quinn 16.4 - BP II, NVLD, GAD, Borderline Personality Traits and gifted
Invega Sustenna monthly maintenance dose TBD, Buspar 15mg AM/PM & Lunesta 2mg PRN
IEP for ED & SLD - In process of obtaining a new placement
Judah (standard poodle), Voldemort (snow corn snake), Salazar (okeetee corn snake), Malfoy (brown house snake) and Mad-Eye Moody (Sumatran red blood python)

I read your post and list.  I am not afraid of an RTC as long as I know that I have someone helping me choose one that will keep my child safe and which uses a program model that I feel will be supportive and effective with my child.

Have you used an Educational Consultant before?  I highly recommend it.  It is worth the fee( which probably ranges depending on area and if they are indepenedent or part of a comprehensive services practice. A good consultant will look at your child's records and testing and will give you  3 or so recomendations. They will be recommendations based on your child's needs and based on the quality of the program.  You then speak on the phone to those RTC's.  You make a list of questions and you ask each RTC the same questions so you have a the basis for a controlled camparison.  Then you visit the school or schools that seem like a fit to you.  This last part may seem difficult but it is critical in order to get a feel for the place and people running it.  Most of the schools look good in the brochure and maybe even on the phone. But a visit can really make the decision.

I have known of parents that try to do the selection themselves feeling that if one does the leg work 98% of the job is done. But I have seen best intentions fail. I have know one child who was sent to a different school 4 years in a row because they were not the right fit. Who feels broken and a failure?  The child.  While I am sure there are success stories with making your own placement I feel the consultant brings a lot to the table.  The RTC  will have prior experience with the consultant and is more confident of your child as a good fit if the consultant has made the reccommnedation.  The consultant is also visting these schools year round.  They stay current on the school's  approach, satisfaction of parents as well as the school's financial standing.  An issue that is important more then ever.

If I read your post right your child is 16.4 yrs old.  This is a very critical point.  Once she is 18 the whole situation changes.  You said that your school will support residential.  Did you check your state list of state approved schools to identify possibilites?  I also do not personally believe in allowing the public school to make a recommendation for the RTC.  I feel it is best to have an independant consultant.  

I suspect that some on your list may not be state approved.  Your public school will need the selected RTC to be on the list in order to financially support the placement.  Or if you selection is not on the list you may have some options but that is where having experienced legal counsel is probably necessary.  Not for a fight but to work out (if at all possible) getting the desired school on the list (paperwork intensive and the RTC has to be willing and able and the State has to be willing)  or having the school make a cash settlement.  None of the latter options is particulary easy.  

So that is my answer.  Getting a few consultant names that have experience and a strong reputation is key. No newbies or friends of friends.  Your daughter is unique and her needs are unique and her history, testing and the experience of a reputable Ed Consultant will give you additional confidence that you are making the most appropriate decision for your child.  

Sorry to be so opinionated but we have been through a lot and we have learned a lot in the process. We felt residential was necessary and my son was there for two years.  It was an amazing place and an amazing experience.  Positive.  My son does not feel that way but it is clear that he has emerged a more mature child with signficantly more self control and the ability to appropriately self advocate.  He is now in an LD boarding school.  While we miss him the bottom line is that this is the right placement for him and the best ticket for a future.  

The family needs a break too.  The family needs time to heal and to get their bearings.  The RTC works with the parents too.  We had weekly 2 hour long conference calls.   They also were able to manage the medication treatment and my son went from 4 meds (when he went in) to two and at much lower dosage with intentions to further wean as appropriate.    Good luck.

"Imagine".  Mom to DS age 14.  Currently a non therapeutic LD boarding school.  Lithium and Clonidine.

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Beth
Ralph - Husband & Father
Quinn 16.4 - BP II, NVLD, GAD, Borderline Personality Traits and gifted
Invega Sustenna monthly maintenance dose TBD & Lunesta 2mg PRN
IEP for ED & SLD - In process of obtaining a new placement
Judah (standard poodle), Voldemort (snow corn snake), Salazar (okeetee corn snake), Malfoy (brown house snake) and Mad-Eye Moody (Sumatran red blood python)

There are two schools on that list that I know. 

We visited Devereaux Glenholme in Connecticut.  It was not on my state approved list and would not be able to be added as certain requirments could not be met.  While I did not feel it was right for my son, the facility and property is beautiful and there is a lot of good after school and weekend programming.  I know of a few families that sent their children there.  One liked it(used an Ed Consultant) and the other felt iit was not a good fit their son(made placement w/o Ed Consultant).   

Chaddock in IL is on our state approved list and it was "recommended " as a relationahip model therapy approach, by our school district.  However after a review of the website, their student profile and program it was clearly not an appropriate placement for my son.  

Your list is very long. I wish you much patience and luck.  I do not know if there are resources for consultants on a sliding scale or other reasonble financial approach but I would keep digging for some help while doing your own research.  

Have you looked up the schools on the "StrugglingTeens" Website?(Lon Woodbury)  Lon might even be available for some advice.  Many years ago he communicated with me via email and he was very responsive and knowlegable.  I think he once was a guest speaker on the CABF website a few years back.

 Again good luck. Best wishes,

Imagine.