Choices Inc

The alternative peer group (apg) is a recovery support service for adolescents experiencing sud and co-occurring disorders. Positive recovering peers support recovery by reinforcing recovery and prosocial behaviors. One of the first lessons peer role models teach new adolescents is how to have fun in recovery. Apg youth staff members (i.e: young people in recovery) assist the counselors in shaping recovery norms by engaging with clients as mentors and coaches, facilitating peer- led groups, and engaging in and monitoring pro-recovery social activities and afterschool hangouts. As new apg members gain time in the program, they are taught and held responsible forbecoming a leader. These adolescents are asked to sit on committees that may plan and organize weekendpro-recovery social functions or retreats. As the adolescent develops friendships and becomes more invested inthe community, the social pressure to maintain prosocial behavior grows. Many adolescents report their desireto be honest about relapses and behavioral regressions. New families are encouraged to listen and learn fromfamilies who have ''been there'' with their children through parent groups and informal coffee conversations.more experienced families model and reinforce new family norms that support recovery. Many apg counselingstaff members are persons in long-term recovery from adolescent sud. Thus, they provide examples ofsuccessful adult lives born from a tumultuous adolescence.

The education and recovery academy (era) is a flexible, creative program that affords adolescents struggling with substance use and co-occurring disorders, the opportunity to to prepare and take the hiset or ged, or to enroll in one of 2 massachusetts diploma granting virtual high schools, while gaining both academic and psycho-social support. Choices era provides a treatment focused environment with embedded academic preparation for adolescents and young adultsthrough age 21. Many of our students have experienced school failure, invisibility and shame at the hands of a system that is not crafted to meet significant mental health and substance abuse issues.students who are 16 plus, are eligible to take the ged (general equivalency degree) or the hiset (highschool equivalency test) exam, and prepare for and take these exams at choices, while receivingsocial/emotional support and mentoring within the framework of a recovery environment. Financialliteracy, career exploration and job coaching are embedded within the schedule.the era program isopen from 10:00-6:00 pm, monday-friday, and the schedule is individualized based on educational andpsycho-social need.