As a parent, we realize that this is likely a stressful and difficult time for you. We hope the information you find on the NATSAP website lead you to find help for your son or daughter. Matching the needs of your child to the particular services of a program is one of the most important decisions you will ever make on behalf of your child.

NATSAP's Role
NATSAP is not a referral or placement agency. We are a volunteer membership organization supporting professionals and programs in their efforts to help troubled young people.

About NATSAP's Members
Many different types of programs have evolved over the past decade to serve the growing needs and numbers of struggling young people. Since the profession of therapeutic schools and programs is relatively new, there are currently no national standards for several categories of these programs. Effective January 1, 2009 all NATSAP members must:

• be licensed by the appropriate state agency authorized to set and oversee standards of therapeutic and/or behavioral healthcare for youth and adolescents or accredited by a nationally recognized behavioral health accreditation agency
• have therapeutic services with oversight by a qualified clinician
• support NATSAP Ethical Principles and NATSAP Principles of Good Practice

NATSAP's membership is comprised of programs, both established and new, that support setting and following national standards. We at NATSAP encourage you to look over these standards: Ethical Principles and Principles of Good Practice. They can help you develop what your expectations should be regarding service delivery from any program.

Resources
In addition to the NATSAP Directory of Member Programs, we urge you to review the compilation of information we have gathered to assist you.

Articles - A list of articles to assist you in this difficult time

Questions to Ask Before Making A Final Placement Selection

Selecting the "Right" School /Program - Determining the "right" choice to meet your child's needs

NATSAP Program Definitions - Provides the definitions of the different types of schools and programs that are members of NATSAP

Program Directory Search - Provides an on-line copy of the NATSAP Directory of our Member schools and programs

Related Organizations - A list of professional organizations whose members can assist you in finding the "right" choice for your son or daughter

Contact Information - How to contact the NATSAP office