Values

In a perfect world every child would have unlimited opportunity for growth and development. Unfortunately through no fault of their own, some children live in environments in which natural development is delayed. Others experience severe emotional problems and/or significant disruptive behavior that can stifle the opportunity for growth and development. Our reason for being at Pressley Ridge is to serve these troubled and troubling kids and their families. To provide the best service possible, Pressley Ridge bases its work on the following strongly held values.

1. Idealism is Imperative.

   Our focus is to serve young people and families who have not been successful in other environments. Believing that even the most troubling kids can grow in competence and that families with seemingly insurmountable troubles can succeed, Pressley Ridge developed national program models that have helped thousands of children maximize their potential. We believe the key to success is our idealism.

   It is idealism that prompts us to accept the biggest challenge and to ask, “If not us, who?” During the most difficult periods of service, our commitment does not stop and is strengthened by the belief that young people and families fail only when we fail to persevere on their behalf. It is our idealism that gives us the strength to never give up on the children and families we serve. It is our idealism and commitment that enable us to develop innovative approaches, advocate and coordinate with other providers and when necessary push the system of care to create needed services and supports for kids and families.

2. Relationships are Paramount.

   In our work with young people and families we know that no lasting change can occur without a trusting relationship. Our staff members begin immediately laying the groundwork for this alliance, believing that everyone is capable of change. This belief, combined with a respect for culture, allows relationships to flourish. We believe that the young people and the families that we serve have great strengths upon which to base change strategies. To appreciate these strengths we must listen to their stories and learn from them.

   We believe that our programs succeed when our kids and families succeed. To that end we encourage their voices, respect their insights and foster their participation in our program.

   Because our services are relationship-based, our commitment to our kids and families does not end when formal treatment ends. One measure of the relationships created is the unexpected phone call, or the unscheduled visit from our kids to provide us with an update of their lives. The lasting bond we form means that every child and family will always know that Pressley Ridge is a place where people care about them.

3. Joy in Our Work is Essential.
   We work hard and believe in finding joy in all that we do. Our collegial relationships support us in this endeavor. For our kids and families our fundamental belief is that in growing up a child should know some joy each day. We hold that this is true for us as well. In order to do a difficult job for long periods of time we must nourish our own spirits, embrace hope and optimism, and find joy in what we do. We encourage spontaneity, accept nontraditional approaches and appreciate the time we have together.
4. Re – ED is Our Foundation.

   The Re-Education Philosophy is the foundation for our work and the theoretical framework for all of our services. The salient points include:

   • Treatment is active teaching anchored in the present.
   • We chose to use the language of education over the language of pathology and the idiom of capacity over deficit.
   • Emotional disturbance is a symptom not of individual pathology but of a malfunctioning ecosystem.
   • Young people are best served in the most normative environment possible.
   • Those who are closest to young people matter most in the treatment equation.
   • The team approach is best.
   • Treatment decisions should be made whenever possible from empowered Teacher/Counselors.
   • Teacher/Counselors are supported in their work by physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, social workers and other experts who are equally contributing members of the team.
5. We Strive For Quality – Nothing Less Than the Best.
   For almost two centuries we have worked to provide the highest quality programming available for children and families. We are motivated by a passionate desire to give nothing less than our best. The ultimate indication of success is when children and families achieve their ultimate potential. We continuously evaluate every aspect of our service to determine the impact on the kids and families we serve. By sharing our results and quantifying what works we can engage others in the field to improve the quality of their services. In this way we touch the lives of thousands of kids and positively impact the entire system of care.
6. We are All Teachers and We are All Learners.

   Each of us, regardless of job title, has the opportunity to interact with kids and families in a therapeutic way. Each interaction leaves an impression on all of us. In our interactions with our kids and families, as well as with one another, we must always teach skills, look for competence, be eager learners, and foster the development of positive relationships.

   To be effective teachers we must be open to our own learning opportunities. Pressley Ridge is committed to providing an atmosphere in which people can gain the experience, knowledge and skills needed to be effective with kids and families. We encourage growth in our staff and promote it by virtue of a host of development activities. Only through a staff committed to personal and professional growth can we provide the highest caliber of services to our kids and families.