Q: Does your program have a re-admittance policy or after-care parent/child support?

A: The majority of programs do not have an after-care or offer a re-admittance policy for troubled teens. Our program has a six-month after-care and  a full two-year re-admittance policy. If your child falls in with bad friends, or resorts to their previous behavioral patterns, he/she may be readmitted into the program for a nominal outfitting fee.

Q: Will my child be safe?

A: The safety of our students is our "number one" concern, and SageWalk is highly involved with risk management and safety at all times. Our staff is required to be thoroughly trained in the latest techniques for both medical and non-medical emergencies and evacuation drills are held on a regular basis.

SageWalk goes beyond:

• We require all Head Instructors to be Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certified
• All students medical needs are overseen by registered nurse
• Each family is automatically enrolled in Air-Life (a medical helicopter evacuation plan)
• All staff are thoroughly trained and have Satellite Cellular phones, or cellular phones
• All Field Instructors are required to make safety check in calls to base twice a day
• SageWalk keeps an ERV (Emergency Relief Vehicle) near the field location at all times
• All Instructors are required to be in student briefing prior to their shift
• All Students in the SageWalk program are thoroughly screened by a Physician prior to going to the field

Q: What makes your program different?

A: If you have been researching programs, you certainly know that there are many unique programs. We believe these characteristics make us unique:

• Re-admittance policy
• Rolling admissions
• Open-ended
• Small group size
• Follow-up
• Staff experience
• Individualized treatment
• Co-ed, single sexed and special needs groups
• Versatile therapeutic team
• NAAS accredited
• licensed by the State of Oregon

Q: What kind of degree does the therapist who will be working with my child have?

A: Many Outdoor Behavioral Health programs hire "counselors" who are not actually "therapist's" or may have a non-specific BA degree. SageWalk students participate in weekly groups and individualized therapeutic sessions facilitated by a member of the team of licensed professional clinicians and other professional support staff. The therapists are in the field a minimum of two days a week.

Q: How long before my child is assigned a therapist?

A: Some programs take two weeks for a therapist to be assigned to your child. In the SageWalk program intervention and therapy begins on day one and continues for the full time your child is enrolled. Our goal is to provide a comfortable and safe environment for your child to understand why they are at SageWalk.

Q: What should be sent/or brought with my child?

A. No extra clothing or belongings should be sent with your child. We will outfit each child with everything they need to go through their entire program. Any belongings your child brings with them will be inventoried, bagged, and placed in a sealed container until they graduate from the program.